The cramps aren't quite as bad in the morning. And Nicora has guests! The first is a Sphynx with black fur and white hair and wings, who actually comes to Nicora's chambers. "Ewww.. is all that blood from you or did you sacrifice someone in here?" Tulani asks. "There's a big Skreek in one of your patient-or-sacrifice rooms that looks like he got caught in a landslide. I passed the bunny too."
"Oh shut up, of course it is me. When is it not me?" Nicora growls as she forces herself to sit up. "And the skreek should be Otto. I wanted to fix his injuries; they are from a beating. I should probably go see him as the real me. I doubt he wants a visit from a Priestess of Gorphat."
"Though I suppose that would be appropriate too," Nicora admits as she massages her gut.
"Wait, which real you?" Tulani asks. "If you're going to heal him.. uh.. I suppose that would be the Shrine Maiden then? Isn't she the best at that? It's hard to keep track."
"The real me is the big black bat, you doof," Nicora snaps again.
"Yeah.. the one who is associated with death," Tulani teases. "But at least we'll match. Have you got clothes stashed around here?"
Nicora waves one of her hands around. "The shrine maiden is also a possibility," she relents. "If you think that is better."
"Well, you know this guy.. how miraculous should it all seem?" Tulani asks.
"With him? Miraculous is probably good," Nicora admits.
"Well, whichever form you want him to associate miracles too then," Tulani says. "If you want him hanging around the Temple, then Nicora would be best. If you want him working at the Mt. Sunala Hospice, then either Alptraum or the Shrine Maiden. If you want him to be Mave's butler.. uh.. Mavetraum I suppose?"
"You're not helping very much," Nicora growls and shakes her head, "I suppose it should be the shrine maiden. At least that form doesn't have cramps from the pit of Dagh."
"Want anything special from me, besides.. you know.. standing there with the Light to power it all," Tulani asks. "Can you put people to sleep too?"
"I can and that will be likely needed," Nicora admits as she curls up. Both from pain and because it is easier to shift this way. "As for something special, why, you can make love to the shrine maiden later..."
"What.. as the Shrine Maiden?" Tulani asks, turning away slightly to avoid looking directly at the transformation. Not because it's weird, but because she feels it should be a bit more private. "I'm surprised you didn't say I had to make love to the rat."
"Ooo, that's even better," Nicora says, smirks, and disappears into shadow. Hurray for shadow. No cramps in the shadow. Granted when she emerges she won't be able to wear any clothing and has to avoid sunlight, but nobody is perfect...
It's been awhile since the Shrine Maiden has been used. It's almost a surprise to see the tattoos covering most of her - Snowcora in dreamy-dragon-world is un-inked, after all. But soon all the colors are showing once more.
"Oh right, my vulva is tattooed with Inala's symbol," Snowcora comments as she finds herself looking mostly at it from her curled up position. She uncurls and stretches a bit. "Wow, it has been a while since I used this shape," she admits.
"At least it isn't boring or disturbing," Tulani says, nodding. "Lots of stuff to look at, and none of it of anything truly horrible."
"Are you saying Nicora is horrible and disturbing to look at?" Snowcora asks as she slips off the rough (and bloody) bed.
"Do I need to say it?" Tulani asks. "She'd be alright without the tats, once you got past the extra boobs.. and the tail. But the images on her just make her a bit.. uh.. grotesque.." The Sphynx shudders. "I like your original form the best.. and the dragon one. And Pierce is fun too.."
"Be careful what you say of Gorphat's favorite in her home," Snowcora points out as she sashays to the exit. "I suppose we should see to the rat."
Otto is laid out on the central table, asleep (although the bowl dangling from one hand that smells strongly of alcohol could be the reason). The awkward way he does so is testament to where bones were broken and set poorly, if at all, including his jaw.
Tulani asks, "How do you keep finding such big Skreeks? This one might even be bigger than Orca."
"Luck. Big is good," Snowcora remarks and waggles her bare brow. "Aaand, he drunk himself into a stupor. Cannot say I blame him for doing so here," she adds as she approaches. Up close, she runs her delicate hands over the skreek's body, feeling out its shape and damage.
Sooo much damage! Not all of it is bone damage, either. There are hard spots that are likely from internal scar tissue as well from blunt traumas.
"Hmm, not just booze," Tulani notes, taking the bowl and sniffing at it. "Poppy-milk too. Major pain-killer they use in the hospices. He's probably numb now too. Did you know if he was in constant pain before?"
"This won't be easy," Snowcora admits as she flexes her hands, then places them back on the skreek. She inhales, then as she exhales she lets the shadow go so that it oozes from her hands to engulf the skreek. "I don't know if he was in constant pain or not, but it would not surprise me."
Tulani moves slightly away, but also pulls the Light of Nala from its sheath, adding more glow to the room. "I had an idea for the Lapi," she says. "If I pump-her-up a bit first, then you reinforce the change you made, it might stick."
"If she even wants it to stick. She might not want to remain a girl now that she has spent some time as one," Snowcora notes as she closes her eyes to focus on the skreek before her; to locate each and every injury and set it right. Soft tissue will be the easy ones. The bones will be much harder.
The shadow sinks in, and encounters a lot of stuff that was hidden. Cracked and broken ribs, a skull fracture, lots of missing teeth along one side of the lower jaw (it must have been kicked in to break it originally) and lots of soft tissue damage.
"Isn't it supposed to be a sort of punishment? It's only been two days. I mean, once you figure out how to pee properly there aren't a lot of big challenges remaining," Tulani says.
Snowcora's brow furrows as if she was in pain as she works on the skreek. It has to be slow and gentle encouragement to return to the way it should be ... and to regrow missing teeth if possible. "It is, yes, and peeing is one. Cramps are another," the human comments.
"Ah, right, I keep forgetting about those," Tulani says, almost sadly. The trick with the scar tissue is to go almost one cell at a time to replace the keloid. For the teeth.. well, it's possible to ken the opposite side of the jaw and try to apply that. Applying a previous image to the same body doesn't fade, at least when Melusine does it to Rose to keep her from aging. So maybe it would work here too.
"I might be able to fix that, you know," Snowcora points out before going silent again. This will be tricky and new. She does try to mimic what Melusine does with applying a previous pattern ... to clone and mirror the missing teeth. This also makes her quite grateful the light is here because she can feel the drain literally into her bones.
It's annoying, having to draw the energy into herself first, then push it into Otto. Maybe 'charging up' the subject first would make it easier - unless the amount of energy was too little or too much. The cloning trick seems to work though, as teeth bud and grow. It may work on other bone as well - instead of trying to fix the damage, just force it all into the proper shape via symmetry.
"Nrrrrr," mumbles Snowcora as she works in what feels like painstakingly slow rates. But ... she does try the same trick with the bones, trying to force symmetry instead of just trying to fix them, just to see if it would be easier.
It's a good thing Otto is passed out for this. Especially for the rib-work. Things tend to snap into place. It won't work for everything though, since sometimes both sides are damaged. Especially with the hands and feet.
"This is ... difficult," Snowcora complains as she pauses for a brief moment before resuming to work. She fixes all she can through mirroring ... then it is onto the slower process of fixing things; particularly the hands and feet.
Smaller bones at least go faster. That bodes well for the tail, which is a few inches shorter and has several breaks in it. The breaks at least can be fixed.
"Do you think this is how Mel does stuff?" Tulani asks. "I mean, the weird stuff. Mix and match. You kinda did it with the doe, at least with the fur colors, since she's got black and white and butterscotch patches."
"Probably can't fix the length. Will try but ..." Snowcora comments. Her head tilts a bit as she thinks of something. She brings up Nikky's pattern to her mind and tries to superimpose Nikky's tail on his to see if the pattern can help replace the missing length. "What, are you worried I'm turning into one of Mel's kind?" she inquires absently
"Worried? You mean that wasn't the end goal all along?" Tulani asks.
"I don't want to be a formless blob,/" Snowcora points out. "Female is more than /weird enough/."
One Skreek tail seems as good as another, when it comes to bones and muscles. It'll also be the hardest repair to explain, aside from the regrown teeth. It clearly isn't the result of medicine or healing.
And who says she has to even try to explain it anyway? He may not be awake for hours anyway. Snowcora focuses again, going back through the skreek from head to toe, looking for anything she missed; including checking over parts that are her favorite from time to time.
There's some damage there too - he got kicked a few times, for certain. It mainly seems to be damaged blood vessels and bruising though.
And such should be easy to fix! So, she does. Even if he won't get much chance to use it.
"Going to make any.. improvements or adjustments?" Tulani has to ask. "Then again, maybe there's a big Skreek woman out there for him.."
"No, he is fine as he is," Snowcora claims. "You can try him out if you don't believe me."
"I'll take your word for it," Tulani claims with a grin. "I figured you'd use him on the bunny to really 'break her in'. They're from the same place, right?"
"I'm not that cruel. Besides, I rarely share," Snowcora claims.
"Is it cruel if they both want it?" Tulani asks with a waggle of her eyebrows. "What is the story with these two, anyway?"
"I doubt they would. The bunny is one of the ones that broke this skreek," Snowcora notes, "But if they choose it, I won't stop them."
"Wow, so maybe she should be broken in by him," Tulani says. "Poetic justice."
By now the inflammation and other temporary effects of the rapid healing and reconstruction are being faded out by the shadow, leaving Otto more or less as he was before the beating (if a bit more symmetrical).
And Snowcora draws herself back and sighs. She even takes a moment and leans on the wall to catch her breath. "I do not want to have to do that often," she admits. "You also might want to stab him to re-enforce it..."
The Light goes in, right through the heart. Otto jerks but doesn't bleed, and a moment later the blade withdraws and the Skreek calms down. "You look like you need a stab as well. I'd suggest just holding the blade with your left hand though.."
Snowcora remains leaning on the wall. Instead she sort of flails her left hand towards Tulani as if trying to get her to come over to her.
The feline comes over, holding the saber point down. "You need to be more energy efficient," Tulani notes.
And Snowcora tries to take hold of the blade with her left hand. "And you need more shapes. You could also be Yodhgorphat; my acolyte...", Snowcora teases.
"Hey, I get plenty of traction out of the ones I have," Tulani points out. "Well, out of two of them anyway. The middle one is just for fun."
"Most of mine are for fun too, you know," Snowcora notes as she recovers and relaxes.
"Really?" Tulani asks. "Let's see.. there's the rat of course. And.. uh.. name the rest in ascending order of funness."
"Normal, Rat, Pierce, Doe, this one, snake, Nicora, Scourge, Wraith," Snowcora counts off.
"You always seem so put-out being Pierce though," Tulani says. "And the doe one was pregnant with monsters and sold as a slave to a bunch of cannibals. You do a lot of work as the Shrine Maiden.. I don't even remember the snake."
"If I didn't act put upon it wouldn't be as fun for you, now would it?" Snowcora points out.
"And yes, the doe was, and it was fun. It was being sneaky," she adds.
"I actually did enjoy the two weeks of pregnancy, even if it was monsters. It often felt nice," Snowcora notes.
Tulani gives the Maiden a look that suggests she might be crazy.. but isn't sure that she's crazy. "Is there anything you haven't tried? I know I'm the prudish one, but.. maybe it's your inner Babelite coming out or something."
"Well, it isn't like I'm going to survive this trip," Snowcora notes grimly. "So there was no harm in trying those things before I die."
"You shouldn't think stuff like that," Tulani says. "Even if you go one-on-one with the General.. you've got all the advantages. And she has a lot of buttons you can push."
"And the backing of the most powerful evil in the world that has outlived everyone that has faced her," Snowcora points out. "I'm an old gambler, Tulani, I can do the numbers."
"Amena hasn't managed to take over the world yet though," Tulani notes. "And she also tends to pull support if her minion is losing, it seems. She was beaten in Sylvania and apparently on Rephidim too. The General hates you out of envy. Look at what she had to do to get her power: die for starters. Become a puppet whose strings can be cut at any moment.. and still she has to resort to allies and tricks to come close to you. You, who didn't give up life and got your power for basically being nice to people and risking yourself for others."
"Difference is I didn't care about gaining power. I don't have the desire to rule, or command. I just wanted to help others and then have a relaxing life," Snowcora notes as she takes her hands off the blade. "And I'm not that powerful."
"You just changed this guy's life," Tulani points out, gesturing to Otto. "It's all in how you use the power you have, I suppose. But you're probably going to be more powerful after you do your Sabaoth quest thing. Do you think putting Nicora through all the stuff to be a Yodhgorphat didn't make her more powerful?"
"It made me able to deal with more gross things and endure," Snowcora notes, "Which is important enough considering what I will have to deal with when it comes out of the zone. And shouldn't we be dealing with the doe soon?"
"Are you feeling recharged?" Tulani asks. "I can go get her, if you want me to bring her here."
"I feel reasonably recharged, yes. I can make sure her body is remaining a her, re-enforce it, then you do the stabby," Snowcora says.
"Or I could do the stabby first, and you can just reinforce it over and over until the power is used up," Tulani suggests. "It might be easier on you."
"Or that. I've never tried making someone permanently a girl, so I don't quite know how to do it," Snowcora admits.
"Well, if it works, it works," Tulani says. "Only time will tell. But if Melusine can do it, then you should be able to as well. Should I bring her here or to another room? Seeing the rat might be a shock to her."
"Good point. Another room would be wise," Snowcora agrees, "One next door." And with that out the naked human goes to the next 'exam' room!
There are quite a few of these in the Temple, all nearly identical. Some of them must be from the ancient days of Gephesa, when it was more like an actual hospital. There should be plenty of time to get all Scourge-y here before Tulani brings the bunny by.
And while waiting by herself, Snowcora explores her bare body a bit, down to even touching the belly jewel lightly. It has been a long time since this body was used, and oh how Mordecai could use it.
There's a bit of a glow to that jewel - she did collect the 'energy' from the Barinalas after all. Which means she has to deliver it to Mave at some point. If it's like the last time, it'll involve doing everything to her that the Barinala did to Mavetraum.
Then Snowcora sighs to herself as she squats down to change shapes again. She doesn't want to leave this form, but ... duty calls. Out the shadow goes and why? To become Gorphat's special little neutered 'pet'.
There is one advantage to being Scourge: no conflicting blessings. Or desires. Or cramps. And gold doesn't particularly do anything to this sort of pseudo-dragon.
"Bleh," mutters Scourge when the squishy and damp form becomes what it now feels is what it is. It even lifts and looks at its useless stubby-paw hands.
They aren't that useless though, really. Especially when trying to climb up shear surfaces. Scource senses the approach of Tulani and the doe. The Lapi is nervous.. but is probably always nervous. Being escorted someplace by Tulani could make most people nervous, probably, especially if it's dark.
"Tulani is harmless. I'm the dangerous one here," Scourge thinks, "That as my Mistress Gorphat."
The two enter, and the doe is already clutching her hands together and biting her lower lip, ears down. She's dressed in the most basic, all-purpose garment ever: a long piece of cloth with a hole in the center for the head, which just drapes down in front and back and is held closed with a rope belt. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," the rabbit mutters, looking like she's going to her doom. When she sees Scourge her eyes go wide. "You're going to eat me, aren't you?" she asks.
"Clothes off, now," Scourge says firmly as it gets to its feet. "How have you been in your new body?"
The doe pulls off the basic garment without much effort. "It's only been a short while," she says. "I'm still getting used to things. Not being able to fly, mostly.. and being squishy in places.."
Scourge's tail whips around and splits apart. Each tentacle wraps around a different limb, then lifts the doe up before Scourge. Tentacles flex and spreads the doe's arms and legs wide. Then out comes the dragon's tongue. It too splits apart and it licks over the suspended doe, testing and checking the body. One tip even dives into an intimate part to check her 'internal' structures.
The doe squirms and cries, of course. "Nothing's been up there, I swear!" she claims, worried that the dragon-thing will punish her if she's been 'naughty' with anyone. So far, she seems to be.. just as Scourge made her. No signs yet of regression or damage.
Well, part of Scourge's tongue is quite far up inside and for a long time. Eventually, its tongue withdraws and licks over its lips. "And why not? This is your body, you may as well get used to the idea of the one being entered," the dragon remarks rather dryly. "Do you still prefer this over death?"
"Oh yes, yes master," the doe claims quickly. "It doesn't hurt and nobody laughs at me. I.. haven't meet a lot of people yet. No men! I'm not in any hurry.."
In the doorway, Tulani gets a sardonic smirk, and her aura goes a bit pinkish. She's thinking something devious, most certainly.
"Master? I am not your master. Nor Mistress. I have no gender," Scourge points out, then nods to Tulani to, well, stab. It also has to wonder just what Tulani is now thinking.
The Sphynx draws her blade and stabs the doe from behind, so that the Lapi can see the blade stick out through her chest. She just makes a keening, warbly sort of noise.
And Scourge's tongue surges out and wraps around the doe again. This is shortly followed by the shadow as it too engulfs the doe! Once the fugus-dragon has the doe in its complete grip, it resumes checking the doe over and pushing on the shape as if trying to dry it in a kiln. Over and over. It is even trying to push it to the point that it might even be possible the doe could become pregnant some day. Maybe.
The charge from the Light lasts for several 'iterations' of reinforcement. At least she's stopped squirming by now.
Over and over Scourge works until the last traces of the light has faded or been absorbed. Only then does it draw the shadow back ... followed by its tongue. It is only then that it lowers its tail and releases the doe's limbs from its grip. "Good, it has set well," it says.
The doe just lies there and twitches a bit.
"Does she have a name?" Tulani asks.
Scourge leans in. "How do you feel?" it asks.
"Just call her Jan," Scourge suggests.
"I had a thought," Tulani says, grinning again. "She'd make a nice gift for Fluffer."
Scourge smirks. "Why yes, yes she would," he has to agree. "A perfect one, in fact."
"Want to drop her off yourself, or going to go visit Mave?" Tulani asks. "She said she was expecting you."
"I have things to deliver to Mave, I should handle that. Perhaps you should deliver this one," Scourge suggests, "So she can get acclimate to her new life of being the outlet for a nice buck lapi."
"It's probably better than she deserves," Tulani admits, slinging the passed-out Lapi over her shoulder. "But Fluffer needs a bunny playmate of his own. Maybe there'll be.. uh.. whatever baby bunnies are called.. if we did things right!"
"Coneys. And who knows? I do not know if I can change someone that completely. Melusine could not make me capable like that," Scourge remarks as it stretches out a bit. "I'll fly to the temple like this and shift there, if I need to. I may be able to deliver what I need to in this body."
"I'm sure Mave would prefer your natural form," Tulani points out and winks. "I'll catch up with you at the Temple."
"It isn't about what Mave prefers," Scourge rasps after Tulani. It rolls its shoulders, then tells the empty room, "I must go to Inala's temple, Mistress."
"Yes, yes, get that stuff over with," Gorphat seems to whisper to Scourge. "It's really the wrong sort of energy to have lingering about in here."
"Really? I don't mind carrying it," Scourge thinks as it now slinks through the passages for one of the rear exits from the temple. Safer for this form to not be seen leaving.
Some time later, Scourge reaches the ruined Temple of Inala, which still looks classier than most places. Then it's to the secret door in the mural..
"Is that you, Alptraum?" Mave calls from another part of the bunker.
"In a sense, yes," Scourge hisses out as it lumbers down the stairs to enter the heart of the bunker. "Booga booga."
Mave is there, applying the last bit of fur paint. She's covered in blue symbols and nothing else. She does turn and raise an eyebrow at Scourge. "That is really not an appropriate form for this," she notes. "You pass the energy to me as you received it, after all."
"I think you do not care for the idea of being ravished by a creation of Gorphat," Scourge teases as it circles Mave. "As I received it? So as yourself, then?"
"Oh, you can ravish me if you like in any form," Mave says with a smile. "But for this ritual, I need you to be in the form of an Eeee male, to represent the Barinala. Just like before, when you collected energy from those seeking Inala's favor."
"How boring. You need more monster ravishings," Scourge laments.
"But ... as I received it, hmm?" Scourge continues to tease as it could up into a ball ... one that disappears into a blob of shadow. Time passes slowly, possibly to also pester Mave ... but when the shadow withdraws, a white-furred Barinala actually steps forth from the shadow. He stretches out his arms and wiggles his fingers. "Nail polish? Really?" he remarks. "Can anyone associated with Inala not do everything so ... girly?"
"Oooo!" Mave says, and gloms onto.. Bartraum? Alpinala? Vanilla Bat? "I think you go one of my nephews."
"And of course you want to bed your nephews. You, dear, are disturbed," Alpinala remarks with a smirk. "But before I give you what you want, I ant something in trade. I need a hollow phallus/cover thing. Not for right /now/, but later."
"Ah, one of those," Mave says, and cocks her head coyly to one side. "What do you need it for?"
"Is it important?" Alpinala counters, "But you know what my other forms like, so as large as you have of course."
"It might help in finding just the right model," Mave notes. "Some have special features after all." Then she's kissing Alpinala.
Alpinala mmfts! And returns the kiss. Also, a bit of groping, grabbing, and squeezing of the older Eeee's butt. He also decides to not mention any minor sagging he finds in the process too. "Well, one that helps ease and drain difficult periods would be useful," the Eeee comments at kiss end.
"Oh, I have just the thing for that," Mave promises. Then she asks, "Have you missed me? I'm still attractive to you, aren't I?"
"Oh, I suppose," Alpinala remarks, even rubbing his chin as if considering it. Where would he learn such annoying behavior? Well, Mave for one given she often did such teasing of Alptraum.
"Hmmph," Mave goes. "I'll have to remind you then. How many Barinala did you collect from, by the way?"
"Oh, six of them tended to giving," Alpinala explains, smirking, "In every possible orifice, several times. It was a debauchery of legends."
"And I'm sure you'll be up to imitating each one of them with me," Mave says with a grin. "I might even let you take a short break to catch your breath if you do really well.."
And Alpinala pushes Mave backwards into a pile of pillows. "We'll find out if you can even keep up with me, what with you being so old and all," he counters, grins slyly, then descends upon the waiting priestess!
It takes awhile. After all, there were six of them, sometimes doing things simultaneously to Mavetraum. Alpinala takes roughly six times longer as a result. At some point Tulani returns, and sits on a fancy stool to watch the action, lamenting that she didn't bring any snacks.
Which at one point gets a pillow thrown right at her head! Then the carnage resumes! One thing can be said about Barinala, that have amazing endurance.
Tulani retaliates of course.. by trying to balance things on Alpinala's bouncing butt every so often, or offering ridiculous advice, like, "Suck her ear! All of it! See how much you can get in your mouth" and "That sounds terrible, you should try holding a tambourine.."
Mave has her own sort of retaliation.. which is to make it feel really good.. and often make the bat throw in a few extra releases that weren't part of the checklist.
And Tulani gets wingwhapped, repeatedly when Alpinala recovers. As well as hit with a pillow. Then the absolute worst part ... Alpinala drags Tulani down into the pile so both Mave and he can get at her ... and involve her!
"Hey! Ah! Don't ruin my clothes!" the Sphynx cries out. Most of the actual energy has already been transferred at this point.. so the rest is just for chaotic fun! And making Tulani give milk, which will cause her some discomfort for a bit.
The chaos lasts a good while too ... and Tulani's clothing ends up all over the room by the end of it. But, all things must come to and end, and the end is a rather panting and tired pile of two Eeee and a Sphynx. It looks like a giant dessert pudding cup.
"I don't know if I have the strength to go bar hopping now," Tulani complains. "But I'm really thirsty and hungry..."
"Well, take a nap and we'll go later," Alpinala notes, "And you can suckle on yourself, both food and drink." The Eee practically cackles.
"Ewwww," Tulani complains. "And now they're aching just because you said that too! Admit it, you're practicing curses on me, aren't you?"
"Oh no, that isn't a curse. But if you want me to curse you I can," Alpinala offers, then leans down and nurses on her if she won't nurse herself.
"Now now, you were enjoying it," Mave claims, as she lights some incense in preparation for going into one of her meditative prayer trances.
"And don't forget the device," Alpinala reminds Mave before she goes goofy. Er, in prayer.
Tulani relents and purrs. "I'll admit I enjoy this part."
"It just makes them ache longer you know," Alpinala comments.
"I'll have it for you when you get back from your night of drunken debauchery," Mave promises.
"Not while you're actually relieving it," Tulani notes. "Oh.. Fluffer really liked Jan. She was a bit scared waking up in Paradise, but Fluffer said a bunch of calming things and then took her right there on one of the couches. The look on her face! They were still going at it when I left."
Alpinala laughs. "Let me guess, she liked it?" the Eeee asks as he flops over on his side to just relax for a bit.
Alpinala also rubs his own chest and laughs. "One good thing about being male, I don't have the problem you're having right now," he adds as he watches Tulani in amusement.
"I think she was mostly just surprised," Tulani says. "I never met this person when they were male, but I get the impression that 'he' didn't have enough sex to get good at it. Besides, she'll probably wear out in a few hours. You know how Fluffer can be."
Tulani responds to the chest remark by squeezing one of her own breasts hard enough to squirt Alpinala in the eye! "Got it in one!" she crows.
"True enough. It will be a whole new experience for her really," Alpinala admits, "Why ... hey!"
"This form of yours is cute, but.. a bit girly," Tulani points out. "Nice abs and butt, but just too.. girly in the face I guess."
"Mave liked it. It was probably one of her nephews," Alpinala notes.
"Mave likes girls too. And everyone knows the Yodhinala were deliberately inbred," Tulani says. "And yet, somehow, Nikky is the insane one. Go figure!"
"Nikky is perfectly sane," Alpinala comments, smirks, and rolls over.
And so Tulani straddles the man! And drips on him. "I have you now! Although it isn't as fun as with Pierce, which is probably messed up. I never wanted a slave or thought less of Savanites.. but it's Babel and if don't do something like that I'd feel too much like an outsider."
"Plus it is fun when it isn't serious, but more of a game," Alpinala comments from where he is dripped on. And worse, Alpinala disappears back into shadow too, so what Tulani sits on gets all squirmy.
"Ahh! You aren't bucking me off that easily!" the Sphynx claims, and tries to hold on anyway.
And it gets really funky ... but short lived sort of funky because when it withdraws Alpinala has changed to plane-old-Alptraum; the battered dark Eeee with the white mane. "You know I could do terrible things to you with the shadow," he warns.
"But you wouldn't," Tulani says, dipping down to kiss Alptraum on the nose. "Because I give you presents. Now, are you gonna go with black hair, or something cool, like.. violet..?"
Alptraum shakes his head, making his hair go violet. "This is what you want? And what presents?" he asks just before retaliating by licking her nose.
Tulani's finger reaches down and taps one of the implants in Alptraum's fun-snake. "I would have tugged the nose-ring, but you haven't put it back in yet after your last undercover mission. You look silly with violet hair, which is perfect. Wherever we go, people will just remember the hair and the rest of you will be a blur."
"Hah, those were for you," Alptraum counters, then sticks out his tongue. "And no, I haven't put anything else back in since the tower. No time to. No reason, either," he adds and yawns. "So, nap, then bar?"
"Okay, nap," Tulani says, and flops next to Alptraum. "You'll like this bar.. Everyone's a jerk."
"What bar is this and why would I like it?" Alptraum has to ask.
"I don't think it has a name.. I call it the Hub though," Tulani explains. "It's very worker-class. Hardly ever any Eeee in it. It's at the center of a bunch of elevated roads, and most patrons are Naga and Fnerfs. A few Vartans. The bouncer is a Vartan. Different bartenders. But it's for construction works, miners, basic brute labor types from all over the city. They like to get drunk and talk crap about their bosses."
"Doesn't sound like a good spot to get a date, though. At least for a guy," Alptraum laments. "But I will manage."
"Oh, I'm like the only female there usually," Tulani says with a grin. "Free drinks, and all the gossip I can take."
"And how is this to be fun for me?" alptraum asks.
"Because... I'm sharing one of my best lead-sources with you," Tulani claims. "And you can make them all jealous by snogging me or something.."
"Again, how is this fun for me? That usually means barfight," Alptraum points out.
"Yeah, those are the best," Tulani says, her sailor roots showing. "Or you could just come as a girl if you want. Not the rat though! These are all big guys. It'd need to be someone tough, like.. uh.. that big-boobed Fnerf girl. I could ride in on you then! Or.. crap, you ever get a Vartan yet?"
"I wanted to go out as me for once, not some disguise," Alptraum says and shrugs. He yawns and stretches a bit. "I'll find another place to visit. Thank you for the offer, though." He turns to his side and closes his eyes to nap for a bit.
"But that was a good spot.. I have some others though," Tulani says, and yawns before cuddling up with the bat.
"Then go. You want to go, so go," Alptraum says and waves a hand. "Nothing is stopping you."
"I go there enough," Tulani sighs. "I guess I shouldn't try taking you to one of the places where I work though. There are probably nice regular spots up on the Plaza."
"Stop. You were all excited to go. So go," Alptraum repeats. "It isn't a place that offers me much since I won't be 'working'. I'll find something else to do elsewhere."
"The point was to go out together though," Tulani says. "Someplace neither of us has been then. Where I get to wear a dress."
"And then you decided on that bar," Alptraum points out. "I'm tired, I don't want to argue, and I don't want to deal with it."
"I thought you'd find it entertaining," Tulani says. "I guessed wrong is all. Don't you still wanna go out and do something with me?"
"Find it entertaining? When someone tries to cave my face in?" Alptraum has to ask as he turns to face Tulani. "Are you serious? They won't attack you if you're the only girl there, but they would attack me."
"It's not that violent," Tulani says. "They wouldn't fight each other over me.. I'm tough enough to be considered one of them. You're pretty big for an Eeee, so you'd be fine. It's just you've either been dealing with the worst off and the best off so far. Figured seeing some of the not-worst-but-not-best would be different for you."
"You just ... oh for the love of everything, I think PMS must be leaking through forms. It has to be that. Blame Gorphat," Alptraum growls as he flows on his back and looks at the ceiling. "I'm being stupid, grumpy, argumentative, and there is no good reason. I know you wouldn't drag me to someplace I wouldn't have fun. You know, when I get moody, please hit me or something."
"My fists would wear down to nubs if I did that," Tulani teases. "Anyway, rest up. We've got some time before it'll be interesting."
"And don't worry, I'm not going with any jewelry either. The weird hair is more than enough," Alptruam remarks before burying Tulani in heavy wings of leathery skin. "And don't worry if you find someone fun to go home with either, I'm fine with it."
"Ha, they don't flirt with me that much.." Tulani notes, and yawns. "I'll wake you up when it's a good time.."
"Do they flirt with each other then?" Alptraum inquires suspiciously.
"Not that I've noticed, but.. there are Naga and it's hard to tell with them," the Sphynx admits. "Most people go there to cool down and socialize."
"Some spy you are. You should be able to tell whatever a naga is thinking," Alptraum claims, "I'll have to tell Barada on you."
"I'm sure they're thinking about whatever will fit down their gullets, and how much money they have left and all that stuff," Tulani says. "I remember what it was like being a sailor. Days and days of work, and then a brief respite to lighten the purse."
"I remember mainly wondering about how much I could lift out of a purse," Alptraum counters, yawns, and closes his eyes.
The place that Tulani calls 'The Hub' isn't quite what Alptraum was expecting. For one thing, there were plenty of women - they just appeared to be there with their husbands though, especially the ones with children in tow. There was food, but not prepared by the establishment: the patrons brought their own, especially the couples. It also solved the issue of how to feed a diverse clientele.
There were a few Rhians and Fnerfs, but most of the crowd was made up of Vartans and the larger Naga. A few Eeee were there as well, of the more burly sort - they had the look of ex-soldiers, but did not appear to be armed. There was a rack by one of the many doors that held hard-hats and other gear too cumbersome to carry around. The air wasn't too bad, since the various odors either cancelled each other out or were subdued by blended smoke from incense, wood fire and whatever combination of herbs and spices people felt like smoking.
Before they arrived, Tulani suggested Alptraum claim to be a bodyguard. "Nobody asks questions about who you work for if you're a bodyguard. They know you want to let your guard down and relax," she says.
"You make it sound like I'm so tense and need to relax," Alptraum deadpans, "But I understand what you mean."
A few people waved to Tulani, but nobody called out her name. "Looks we have a choice of who to sit by," she notes, and points to various tables. One is surrounded by Naga, all sharing an Abu-Dhabi style hookah. "The Limp Lads," Tulani named them. The next were a group of Vartans also sharing something - several big kettles that had steam escaping from them, each on it's own little portable coal stove. Some of them had complicated glass tubing as well. "The Matehdors," Tulani named them. "I don't see the Quilt Wives.. might be too late for them already."
"Any preferences?" Alptraum inquires as he peers about curiously. "Naga can be fun. They're curious and interesting usually. Plus fairly slow when calm, and ... out time in Abu Dhabi was fun."
"Let's start with them then," Tulani agrees. "Plus they have lots of unused chairs, since they don't use them. Want anything to drink? Everything's got alcohol in it, mostly for sanitary reasons. A few types of beer, mostly in-house stuff. Some weak, some strong. Hard juices and teas as well."
"Mmm, weak beer for now. I won't want to get too loopy and unaware," Alptraum replies after careful consideration. "I'm here to enjoy myself, but ... not to get into trouble."
"The Bruisers keep things calm," Tulani notes, gesturing to a group of burly Eeee. They aren't paying attention to the crowd though, just having light conversation amongst themselves. Tulani heads for the bar.
And Alptraum heads towards the gaggle of serpents. "Excuse me," he says politely. "Mind if my friend and I make use of the chairs here?" he asks of them in standard; the safe language choice given the species, they should know it.
A four-armed serpent(ess?) with flowery designs painted around the eyes gestures to the empty seats. "Feel free, ssstranger," she hisses, and blows a blue smoke-ring. "If you want a pipe, there'sss a donation cup."
"What are you smoking?" Alptraum inquires as he settles himself down into one of the chairs near the scaly creatures.
"Blue Dragon Leaf," a smaller Naga answers. He's about the same size as Sephia, and also looks to be the same breed. He's got the Tree, symbol of Rinala, painted or tattooed onto his forehead. "Mild buzz for Eeee, decent pain-killer if you have joint pain or other inflammation. Fresh, from Saskanar."
Alptraum digs around in his vest and pulls out a couple coins that he then tosses into the donation cup without even getting up. "Interesting tattoo there," he comments to the smaller male while reaching for one of the pipes now.
"This?" the viper asks, tapping his forehead. "Jusssst means I'm a medic. Gotta have one at any construction sssite now."
"Really? When did that happen?" Alptraum inquires, "And I am happy to hear that. There are enough problems about without injured workers too."
"Good t'ing," a bigger, darker scaled Naga says. He's as big as Malagast, and wears a complicated harness. "Recent.. uh.. dunno if it was Cenesta or da Coalies that did it. I guess the Coalies."
"Ah, got us some seats Al?" Tulani asks as she arrives with a pitcher of small beer and some leather mugs.
Alptraum finally takes a drag off the pipe; careful and slow. "Could have been either, I hear good things about both," the Eeee remarks as he relaxes into the chair. He waves Tulani to the seat beside him. "Sure do, plop your fanny down," he comments with a fangy grin.
The others bob their heads in greeting to Tulani. "I'm Absssel the Crane," the big guy says, offering a hand towards the pair.
The smoke does make Alptraum's joins feel a bit looser, except for those in his right hand of course. Tulani shakes the offered hand, saying, "I'm Tulani the Scout."
"Al, odd-jobs sorta guy. Currently just a lowly bodyguard because, hey, some people find us Eeee scary," he says with a toothy grin and accepts the offered hand to shake it. "Pleasure to meet you."
More introductions go around. The four-armed woman is Chel the Stacker, the viper goes by Sthenic the Medic and the previously silent, slender woman is Cyler the Piper.
"I bet you a bouncer for one of those Plaza clubs," Cyler says to Alptraum. "The kind with the loud music and lotsss of teenagers."
Alptraum arches his brow a bit. "Why do you say that?" he has to ask; he doesn't look teenager young anymore, that's for sure. It is probably the hair.
"The hair," Cyler admits. "And teenies like big dark types."
"Oh, the hair. That's because I lost a drinking contest and Lady Smirk over here dyed my head while I was out," Alptraum comments and waves the pipe towards Tulani.
Tulani pours the beer, and sets one in front of Alptraum. "You guys all in the same crew?" she asks.
"Absssel works the docks," Chel notes. "Resst of us are with Belsar's Restoration. Working the Greytown expansion."
"Oh, the big towers being rebuilt on the edges? I've seen that," Alptraum remarks after another draw from the pipel. That is set aside and he heads for the mug of beer next and takes a sip.
"Pain in the tail work," Chel claims. "Those places ain't been serviced in ages. But gotta get the structures in before the mages do their hoodoo to make it not fall apart again. 'Sss a trade-off. Got more work now, less pay but extra for hazard, and gots Sthenic and others around. That makes a difference, heh. No deaths so far." She then knocks on the table with all four fists.
"Less pay, but sounds like they're treating you well?" Alptraum inquires, then salutes with the mug, "That's something anyway. Did you come here for work? Or get stranded? You look like you're from Abu Dhabi; nicer place than here I must say."
"Nah, born here, in Belsar Tower, 'cept for Absssel," Chel says. "Not there now o'course, since it's one of the Wound monuments. Cut right in half. We were in the lower levels, so.. we're ssstill here. Made our boss an orphan though."
"I got sstranded," the big Naga admits. "Roads close up, no ships. But always use for a Crane."
Alptraum takes a long drink from the mug after hearing that. "I'm sorry," he says; his own memories of that event and the surge of screaming pain in his head are still quite strong.
"Young Master Tytus was downstairs with us," Sthenic notes. "Accident prone lad. Hurt his foot.. or was it his knee? Anyway, he spent lots of time with us. I guess we his family now."
"Is he doing all right? I'm sure you're looking after him well," Alptraum notes, "I don't believe all the stories and rumors about Naga; I've known too many now to know they're not that true."
"He still get undercoil a lot," Chel admits. "Too worried about this and that. Got us better digs now, in one of the Plaza support towers. Cenestas prolly feel sorry for him, cut him a break. We all pretty much work for them anyhow. More work, safer. Less pay but it beats less work with more pay when you don't know when it'll come. Now everything being rebuilt. Big gamble, but if it fails.. well, least there be cheap housing for them if they lose all their money."
"It is all a gamble," Alptraum has to agree before returning to the pipe for a bit. "But at least it is a gamble that leads to a better future if it succeeds. Better than most bets placed in the past few years."
"Mebbe better, mebbe 'nother revolution, who knows," Absssel says after taking a long drag. "Not for usss to decide. S'long as there's work and pay enough to live and not get shot at. I don't miss the getting shot at parts. Gangs that ran docks all soiling their britches now, heh. Sisters marching around, just daring them to cause trouble. Good entertainment."
"Which sisters this time? Rephath? They have their own ships I ... think," Alptraum remarks as he rubs his neck. "Me? I aboid all of them like the plague. Too dangerous ... and frankly they're all scary."
"Yeah, Yodhrephath," Absssel says, and tries to blow a smoke ring like Chel, but his lips aren't quiet as dexterous. "Mess everything up. Nobody know how to deal with guards that can't be bought off. Some of 'em tried once though. Nobody tried after that."
"I think I heard about that," Tulani says. "That's when they put up the nooses right?"
Alptraum snorts. "I can imagine exactly how that went," he remarks, smirking. "Bad move to try and bribe them."
The big Naga nods. "Can't miss 'em. Three of 'em, just hanging there next to the docks. Empty, but... someone comes to check 'em every day, make sure they're ready to be used."
"Fear tactics. Common. I hope they aren't used," Alptraum mutters and takes a drink.
"End of an era," Cyler mock-laments. "Guard could probably skim a good living just off the bribes. You missing out now too, Absssel?"
The big Naga shrugs. "Less hassle now. Crate comes off ship, goes where it meant to. No have to sneak any off to a different palette or worry about bribes or threats. Less pay, less stress. More work though, lots more. Stuff coming in all the time now. Spine complains now and then. S'why I get this stuff. Wholesale, right off the ship. That a new benny."
"The pipe was a gift," Sthenic says. "Tytus got it off some merchant who needed his plumbing fixed."
"You just do the job and don't worry about having to play games. So yeah, I imagine that is a lot better," Alptraum has to agree. "Eventually it'll put me out of work, though. Safe cities don't need bodyguards. S'okay, I can leave the city and travel when the time comes, nothing really tying me here."
"Rich folks always need bodyguards," Chel claims with a laugh. "That's how other people know they rich and important. And always gonna be a need for bouncers."
"Might be a new army too," Cyler notes. "A proper one, not just private ones hired by the Nobles. One of the foremen told me he heard a rumor. But it still touchy, y'know."
"Then the Houses that can't afford their own get government protection?" Tulani asks.
"I ssssuppose," Cyler says.
"Eh, not much for being a soldier. I have a problem with following those kinds of orders. Bodyguards orders aren't the same, you know," Alptraum notes and waves his hand about. "And where did they hear this rumor about an army? Who is heading it?"
"Just chit-chat, y'know," Cyler says. "Something some Coalie suggesssted to the others, anyway. Taking power from the Nobles or making sure everyone got same training and equipment and not horrible men and all. There's always something like that bouncing around. Never something they gonna do anytime soon it seems."
"Well, it wouldn't be easy to do, I imagine. Can't fault them for the idea, though," Alptraum concedes.
"Tytus would like it," Chel admits. "He'd tell us stories about how the clans would fight or bully one another, make it so nothing got done. Little guys get squeezed out or gobbled up. I guess we got gobbled up, but we ain't been turned into crap yet so I ain't complaining."
Alptraum leans over and makes a point to sniff Chel loudly. "You don't smell like it either," he says and smirks.
"Hah! I like you, Al," Chel says. Then she cocks her head. Somewhere comes the twangs of a mandolin being tuned. "Ah, time for the duel."
Alptraum's ears flick. "Ah, musical dual. Some things seem to happen all over the world," Alptraum thinks as he sits back. His attention returns to the pipe and for the moment, he's going to listen.
There are two of them, and people begin to quiet. From one side of the tavern comes a simple tune, which plays for a few bars, and then is picked up by the other player somewhere else in the Tavern. The two go back and forth, sometimes switching tunes midway through their turns to try and stump the other player. It isn't clear after awhile if they're actually playing known melodies or just riffing off each other.
"You gotta bring your bongos sometime, Chel," Sthenic notes. "Never enough percusssion in these things."
"Well, Eeee ears are better at high sound," Alptraum points out and taps one of his ears.
Lack of drums doesn't stop there being percussion though. Plenty of feet and hooves and hands are stamping and clapping to keep the timing. A few other instruments begin to join in, trying to keep up. A violin, and some sort of woodwind that might be a clarinet.
"Heh," Alptraum comments to himself, switching off to sip from his mug. He didn't being any instruments to play so he can't join in. But anyway, he's here to just relax, not work. He has enough work.
Once a rhythm if finally decided on, everyone seems to jam in sync. Several Vartan couples get up and start dancing in the spaces between tables.
Tulani gets a look in her eye and smiles at Alptraum, her brows and ears perked.
Alptraum laughs to himself at this. People relaxing, in this cess-pool of a city. Hard to imagine were he not seeing it with his own eyes. He looks back to Tulani curiously. "You're looking devious," he notes.
"It's folksy music," Tulani purrs. "You know some folksy dances, don't you?"
"Maaybe," Alptraum admits, "Why do you want to know?"
"Because I want to dance," Tulani says. "I haven't had the chance in some time. Not a dance that's.. you know.. fun instead of formal."
"So what is stopping you?" Alptraum teases.
Tulani pokes Alptraum in the shoulder. "I want you to dance with me," she spells out.
Alptraum looks terribly put upon. "But I'm enjoying the company of the handsome and pretty naga," he complains as he sets aside his mug and the pipe he actually donated for. The Eeee then gets up slowly, stretching and groaning rather dramatically.
"I know this stuff loosens up your joints," Tulani points out, while Chel chuckles.
Alptraum blows a raspberry. "Slave-driver," he complains as he finally takes Tulani's hand to drag her out to the dance floor. "The thing with folksy dances is ... they're often made up on the spot," he notes, "You follow the beat of the music and time your steps and hips to it. Sure there are some official dances, but it is usually just made up."
"I'm sure a proper gypsy could handle it," Tulani claims. And then.. takes off her leather vest, so she's just got on the cotton blouse that was underneath. The loose effect does look a bit more 'folksy' after all.
"Take off the blouse and you'll get a lot of attention," Alptraum suggests, smirking as he drapes an arm around Tulani's waist and draws her in close. "That's what the khatta usually did. Made picking pockets a lot easier..."
"I may go as far as baring shoulders," Tulani says with a wink. "That's traditional, isn't it? I'll let you do it though."
"That might just encourage me to bite," Alptraum comments and rocks her hips by pushing them with his own. A distraction ... probably, because he's quickly using his teeth to tug the shoulders of her blouse just down her arms. First the left, then the right.
This exposes her scar, but at least she's kept it well groomed.. and another splash of white on the black isn't too jarring. "Oooo, scandalous," she says with a grin. She's wearing side-skirts over her trousers, so there isn't much that can be done there it seems. "Where should I put my hands?" she asks.
Alptraum licks the scar, then upward and under her chin. "One on my hip, the other on my side," he suggests as he does just that to her.
The hand on Alptraum's hip does wander a bit, but only so Tulani can 'keep time' to the music by patting the Eeee's cheek.
"Hey, I'm the one who is supposed to misbehave," Alptraum ends up whispering in her ear as the dance begins. True to what he said, a lot seems to be made up on the fly. It often involves hip sways in time to the music; sometimes hard, sometimes soft. There is a foot stamp or two added in at times, then Alptraum dips Tulani once and then twirls her around. Before she knows it, she's staring him in the face again. "I still think you need a nose ring," he teases.
"You wouldn't get your tongue stuck in it?" Tulani asks, and then licks Alptraum's nose. "I thought you'd prefer I wore a collar and leash."
"I would prefer all three," Alptraum admits, grinning.
"Oh?" Tulani purrs, and wiggles a undoes the top button on her blouse so it can slide down a tiny bit more before grabbing onto Alptraum's hip again. "What else? What do you really want to do to me?"
"Sell you on the streets to make some extra money," Alptraum claims with a wide, fangy, grin. "You're scrawny, but an Eee would pay for your booty."
"Hah, yeah," Tulani laughs. "Tie me to the Altar of Beauty, would you?"
"That altar is a bit too nice for you. You're more appropriate for a bar table," Alptraum claims as he waggles his brow.
"This one hasn't got enough room," Tulani points out. "The hookah and all.."
"Plus we're in the public and supposed to be relaxing," Alptraum reminds.
"Oh, so tying me down to a table wouldn't relax you?" Tulani teases. "Anything I can do to relax you? How're you doing so far?"
"That isn't exactly relaxing, no," Alptraum points out. "I'm doing all right so far. Interesting information, plus the naga are attractive. As for what you could do ... I'll have to think on that."
"So what still has you anxious?" the Sphynx asks, and gives Alptraum a mild butt-pinch.
"Because in any of these places the General could have agents waiting for a chance to kill me," Alptraum points out. "I am her number one target right now."
"Do you have any idea how many taverns there are in Babel?" Tulani asks. "So basically you'd prefer to be somewhere more.. controlled?"
"There are around three thousand five hundred and forty-three taverns in Babel. I made it a point to try and count them the last time I was here to keep from dying of boredom," Alptraum says rather flatly. "And she has a rather large army, and the ability to possess people at a distance. No place is really safe for me anymore. So I am always a little on edge; I have to be."
"Maybe you should talk to a mage," Tulani suggests. "See if you can get some sort of scrying alarm."
"Mages hardly trust me. Cannot say I blame them," Alptraum points out as he spins Tulani around.
Tulani keeps her tail and wings in close, wrapping the former around Alptraum's waist. "Can't you tell if someone is watching you?" she whispers in Sylvanian. "You were able to pick out that one guy in Paradise."
"Yes, I can, but it requires focusing. Always being on guard. It isn't like I get an instinctive warning. So I remain alert all the time, or try to relax and have to drop my guard," Alptraum answers in whisper.
"I didn't think this sort of crowd could harbor spies," Tulani whispers. "These people aren't the sort you spy on. They aren't movers and shakers, and they aren't destitute and desperate and easily swayed by the promise of something better. They're realistic, concerned about their families. Plus.. that remote spying thing goes both ways. If you could find someone like that, could you use that connection to spy back on her?"
"Unlikely. She is better than I am," Alptraum admits, "And yes, you do spy in these kinds of places. You need to know the common pulse of a town too; it gives you clues on where to move, what needs to be swayed, and so on. Crowd manipulation is all about knowing how the average people are. Then you know which ends of the spectrum you push. Playing with people is how gypsies survived."
"Well... I came here to spy originally, so yeah," Tulani says, then tilts her head. "Could you play her then, if you knew you were being watched? She only knows you as yourself, doesn't she?"
"I don't know how she sees me, honestly. I don't know if she sees the body I wear, or the real person," Alptraum admits. "I don't know what her limits are, so I have to play safe."
"We really should try to find out," Tulani notes. "You've got a way of doing it as Scourge, but that still requires you get fairly close. I imagine being able to tap someone like a puppet requires them to give permission or undergo some sort of ritual first. Cyprian might know."
"I can always go back into the forbidden zone as Scourge I suppose. I'm a freak monster there too. Granted, that is all I am anymore, just another monster," Alptraum notes. "And no, it doesn't require permission, depending on how it is done. I took over some guards in the tower. It is hard, but can be done. Required close contact, but it was doable."
"But that also used a physical medium of sorts," Tulani notes. "And you aren't a monster, because you don't act like a monster. Am I a monster?"
"You don't take on over a dozen forms," Alptraum points out, "And engage in all sorts of horrors regularly. You're just a were creature like out of stories. It's a bit different."
"You don't get carried away by it though," Tulani says. "I know you've had to reign me in a few times already. I've eaten more people than you."
"You haven't seen me around Gorphat," Alptraum points out, "When I am her Yodh there is nothing I won't do for her. Or endure."
"Yeah, but that's what Yodh do," Tulani points out. "Phalagea probably did a lot of that too you know."
"She didn't act as a monster breeder," Alptraum points out, "Which ... when doing it is ... enjoyable. I do not understand how or why, but it is."
"Then it can't be that weird," Tulani says. "You've got Temple servants who've dealt with that and not fled or anything."
"They're crazy," Alptraum points out and shrugs a bit.
"Then we're all crazy," Tulani says with a nod. "All the really best people are you know." Then the jam winds down, amid much applause.
"Plus it's like an urge and a duty and a desire to be as disgusting as possible as a Yodhgorphat," Alptraum adds, shrugs, then grows quiet as the song dies out.
"You really get into your roles," Tulani notes, and backs up enough to applaud the players as well.
"I'm an actor," Alptraum points out as he also joins in the applause.
"Sit down so I can sit in your lap," Tulani tells Alptraum. "To hide you from spies, of course."
Alptraum rolls his eyes slightly, but he does reclaim the chairs they had earlier and settles down into it for Tulani. "Subtle," he remarks.
The Sphynx sits in the bat's lap. "I blame the Blue Dragon," she claims.
"She is anything but subtle," Alptraum points out.
"Well, she ssstill has her shirt on," Chel points out helpfully, before blowing a smoke ring.
"She does. Is this uncommon?" Alptraum has to ask Chel.
Tulani sticks her tongue out, and downs the rest of the beer in her mug.
"Well, I'm not wearing a shirt," the four-armed Naga points out.
"I know and I am quite enjoying that fact," Alptraum tells the Naga and waggles his brow. He's also quite nice and doesn't tickle Tulani while she's drinking too!
"Are you trying to make me jealous?" Tulani asks Alptraum.. and undoes another button.
"Hey, it is hard to compete with a Naga," Alptraum points out. "Slinky and smooth..."
"I'm slinky," the Sphynx complains. "And I don't outweigh you by a few hundred pounds.."
"You are a bit small for me," Chel agrees. "Not for Cyler though," she adds, and grins at the other, smaller and slenderer Naga, who chokes on her pipe nipple.
"Weight isn't a big deal to me, and hey, I'm not that small," Alptraum complains and huffs, "But right, Eeee." He shrugs a bit and grabs his mug, finishing it off too.
"Unless you're good at polishing?" Chel asks, her tongue flicking.
"Mm, do not worry about it," Alptraum says dismissively. He eyes his mug again, then remembering it is empty uses the pipe again. "How long until the expansion work is done, do you think?" he asks, changing the subject. "Well, the current work that is. Just housing, right?"
"No idea," Chel says. "We're working fast, but you build some walls and put in some pipe and then find something that's about to fall down or has to be completely replaced after a more thorough inspection or someone realizes they can't knock out this wall because it holds something up and they have to figure out a way to work around it.."
"Six weeks," Sthenic says.
"That'll be good. There are a lot of people needing homes," Alptraum concedes. "Graytown won't be so 'gray' at this rate."
"Well.. yeah, six weeks for the first block," Chel admits. "Then it's on to the next one up, once we're sure the finished one.. well.. works."
"It'll always be gray, until the towers rise higher and block out more light.. but the planners aren't into the whole 'taller is better' thing now," Cyler claims, and even gives Alptraum a bit of a smile. "We hear a lot about how it'd be easier to shorten some towers instead. Reclaim the most recent building material. But then it's a big thing about preserving the memorial towers that got cut by the Boomer, which the builders say are unstable.."
"Well, as an Eeee, I'd like to say thank you for helping. I know it is because you're being paid, but still, the help is appreciated," Alptraum says to the Naga and salutes them with his empty mug. To Cyler he notes, "Well, I can understand the desire. There are a lot of memories in those places for the survivors, even if they are unstable. Then there is the hole itself. A place I still cannot look on easily. But ... they should be repaired eventually. It needs to heal."
"Hopefully before they fall down on their own," Cyler notes. "As for thanking us.. we live here too you know. Babel isn't just an Eeee city.. it just looks like that from the top."
"You have other places you could go. Eeee, not so much. We're not exactly welcome most places," Alptraum notes. "Back after the events of the boomer I was on Rephidim and just because of my race I was chased by the authorities." He shrugs again.
"This whole continent belongs to Eeee," Cyler claims. "Zanara, Saskanar, Zahirinee.. the ones that left had plenty of places to go. We aren't going anywhere unless Tytus is too."
"He is fortunate you have loyal family and friends," Alptraum says.
"You work at it," Sthenic notes, after taking a deep puff. "He remains positive. After losing everything.. he did all he could to ensure that he did not lose us as well. He is strong, but does not realize it."
"He puts on a strong face for us, so that we don't worry," Chel explains. "He worries too much about us."
"You are his family, of course he worries," Alptraum says, "It is hard to not worry about those who are important, even if they can take care of themselves."
"He should still let us take care of him sometimes," Chel complains. "He needs a good wife. Marry into one of the new merchant houses. It will do him good."
"Is he even dating?" Alptraum inquires, "I would suggest the Cenestas, but ... I know they do not have children."
"He is always busy," Cyler claims and sighs. "Visiting the work sites, making sure the household is stocked, juggling debts and favors. He's young, but aging quickly. Since the Boomer, I do not think he has even had proper time to grieve. He does not take out advice well though. 'Why hire an accountant or a lawyer? I must save those funds for important things' he'll say.
"When he visits the site, I am tempted to let him have an accident, for he is a bit clumsy," Chel admits. "Then.. he'll have to rest and slow down."
"He doesn't want to grieve. He works so that he doesn't have time to remember, or to dwell," Alptraum says, "It is a way to avoid the pain of the loss by making no place for it in his life. I am not sure hurting him and forcing him to face it is such a good idea."
"He will work himself to death," Cyler says. "If he just needs a distraction, it should be one that gives him hope. You are a bodyguard - you probably know many young daughters of merchants, yes? Any around sixteen years old that are not spoiled?"
Alptraum rubs his forehead. "Not offhand. I can ask around, though," he offers.
"We'd appreciate it," Cyler says. "Even just a party he couldn't refuse an invite to. Of course, he may find an excuse to avoid it anyway. He is very driven."
"How old is he now? I assume sixteen given the age of the girls asked for?" Alptraum inquires.
Chel nods. "He eats at his desk. His grooming suffers," she notes. "He does not maintain the proper wardrobe for a young lord. His few friends seem to be equally driven though."
"Who are they?" Alptraum inquires, "And yes, if I hear of any parties or such I'll come back here, or ask Catbutt to tell you if I am busy."
"That's Mistress Catbutt," Tulani says.
"Sons of the construction backers mostly," Chel says. "Young men trying to prove themselves to their fathers - or else just very serious about the family business. He's usually with the G'tran boy.. whatshisname.."
"Roman," Sthenic offers. "Roman G'tran. Not from Babel."
Alptraum smirks. "Maybe he likes boys," the Eeee points out.
"I.. rather think not," Cyler says. "He was not sent to the boy's school like his older brother. And he blushes around females.. even us. And Roman is a Khatta, and not particularly handsome."
Alptraum takes another drag from the pipe. "Sorry for all the questions. Drinking makes me babble too much," he says. "And sadly I should get a bit more beer and just relax and stop pestering you."
"Allow me," Chel says, and pours the rest of the pitcher into Alptraum's mug. "Try not to spill any on your Mistress. She only has two buttons left."
"She is not my Mistress," Alptraum notes.
"I'm his favorite kitty," Tulani claims, looking slightly bloodshot from the smoke (alcohol barely affects her after all).
So of course Alptraum hands her the pipe. He's an enabler.
The Sphynx sucks on it suggestively.
"You're hopeless," Alptraum adds and swats Tulani on her butt.
"Maybe you should get her home," Cyler suggests. "If she is this strongly effected by the Dragon, she may... have stomach issues later."
"Stomach issues? What kind?" Alptraum has to ask.
"Vomiting," Sthenic says. "And gas. And dizziness."
"How ... delightful. Yes, I suppose she should go home now," Alptraum agrees as he rises ... and takes Tulani with him as he does so. This requires a bit of juggling of the pipe to return it to them undamaged.
"Don' ferget m'vest," Tulani rumbles.
Alptraum gathers that too. "You're lucky I don't strip you naked and hang you on a pole," he mutters to the feline. To the Naga he salutes, nothing, "Thank you for the chat; it was a pleasure to meet all of you. I hope your work goes well and that a medic isn't needed too often."
"We aren't working hard enough if we aren't getting masonry dropped on us," Chel claims and salutes.
"I hope you have helmets, then," Alptraum counters as he heads for the exit with a limp cat in tow. "Fun evening overall, it was a break," he decides. "Still do not feel relaxed, though. I don't really fit in any more. I know what it means to be in a crowded room and still feel alone. Still, I guess it is worth it, my loss is possibly making a difference."