A furless Eeee girl sits on the table, wrapped in a blanket. Her eyes are wide as she looks around, searching for something familiar. The nurses brought her here, telling her that Gorphat's High Priestess would be checking her over, and that her physical recovery is due to one of Gorphat's miracles. She doesn't remember her life.. but thinks she knows her name. "Penance," she whispers to herself.
At least the Eeee won't feel too out of place with her condition since the Yodhgorphat that walks in is also completely bald. Except in her case she's also a sickly green in color and has a waxy sheen to it, is adorned in tattoos, piercings, and even has a deformity of having eight functional teats. "Ah, you are finally awake," Yodhgorphat Scourge says. "I am Yodhgorphat Scourge and you were brought to us in a very difficult condition. You have been cured, but it has unfortunately left you as you are. Your fur should return in time, however." She walks right up to the prone Eee and cups inder her chin, turning her head this way and that to inspect her.
"I hurt my head, didn't I?" the girl asks, sounding worried.
"You hurt a lot of yourself, and contracted a rather terrible case of mites," Scourge claims, "But both are healing. There should be no lasting damage."
"Was I heading this way?" the girl asks next. "I feel like I was.. I don't know for sure. Everything is just a haze. Oh, and thank you for saving me, Yodhgorphat!" She bows as best she can while sitting on the table.
Scourge eases the blanket off the Eeee so that she can examine the rest of the woman's body. "Were you? You are a strong woman given all that you survived," she notes, "Perhaps you were coming to join our order?" That last bit comes with a bemused smirk, then she continues, "But that is likely a hopeful fantasy; few ever wish to join my order. Many are not willing to submit themselves to the worst so that they can spare others from it."
"What do you mean by submit themselves to the worst?" the girl asks, moving as needed for the examination.
"Look at me. I have been tattooed with all the diseases I have carried, I have been pierced so that beauty will never be a concern of mine," Scourge claims as she inspects the girl, even cupping and looking under the woman's breasts, "I have carried parasites and many supernatural blessings, some of which are still upon me. I have voluntarily become the ideal representation of my Mother so that I can help others overcome." She slides her hand down and before 'Penance' knows it, Scourge is probing inside her with a couple fingers. She withdraws them soon enough, looking satisfied. "And I am not allowed any of Inala's pleasures. If I indulge in them, I must accept equal pain and punishment."
After her surprised squeak, the girl blushes and says, "I don't think I've ever known those pleasures.. so probably wouldn't miss them? If I wanted to serve Gorphat.. what would I have to do? I don't think I'm strong enough to go through everything you have.."
"It is not a path to take lightly, child. While your services will be welcome by others, you will not be. Over time you will gain scars and wear. In many eyes you would be hideous. Even during the initiation there would be some scarring as there are tests to show your dedication to the path," Scourge claims as she actually licks off the two fingers she probed with. "In that path you will learn your only solace is in the slimes, fungus, and inflictions of the world. This is so that you are brought closer to Mother Gorphat. Serving her is difficult, one of the greatest challenges in the world. But serving her well has its rewards; you become strong. You learn to endure anything and survive."
"I'd like to be strong," the girl says, looking at her hands as she clenches and unclenches them. "I don't remember.. but I don't think I was strong before." She finally rests her palms on her knees. "Gorphat gave me a second chance. It must have been for a reason."
Scourge leans in until her ringed nose is touching Penance' nose. "Are you sure?" she asks in all seriousness. "Are you willing to give up everything and become like me? Become reviled and cherished at the same time?"
The girl bites her lip. "What else do I have?" she finally says. "Penance. That's the only name I remember. Penance. I'm supposed to.. be better."
"Well, you will have to go through several rites of passage, culminating with a permanent piercing signifying your permanent bond to Gorphat should you survive the rites," Scourge claims simply as she rises back up, towering over the other Eeee. "Are you certain this is a choice you wish to make, given your mental state?"
"I don't know," the girl admits. "It feels like I should though.. does that make sense? Was I chosen?"
Scourge seems to consider this. "It is entirely possible you were, yes," the sickly-looking Eeee agrees. "If you say yes, then you start the path. If you fail ... the consequences could be quite dire."
"Well.. I suppose I've already died once, effectively," the girl says in a small voice, then looks up to meet Nicora's eyes. "I'm alive for a reason. I have to help others.. even if I suffer. That's what my name means."
"This is the only place where I can do that," Penance says, a bit more firmly.
Nicora licks the claw of her right forefinger. Her left hand draws up to cup under Penance's chin and hold her head steady. "This will hurt," she notes just before placing her claw tip to the girl's forehead. She pushes firmly so that the sharp claw pierces skin ... and the Scourge scratches the symbol of the Wound into her forehead. It isn't deep enough to scar, but while it heals she'll have a scab in the shape of the Wound marking her. "Then you have chosen the path," Scourge intones, voice heavy and serious.
Penance has to wipe tears of pain out of her eyes (and some blood). "What do I do first?" she asks.
Scourge steps back and lifts her hands to the ceiling, then says says to the room, "As this child, Penance, has been born again from her death, she is like a newborn child. Mother Gorphat, come to and bless your Priestess, the unworthy Scourge, to represent You so that your new child may suckle upon your bosom; drinking the milk of her new Mother." Her arms drop, she steps forward to Penance, and presents her left uppermost breast. "Drink the milk of Gorphat," she instructs. And knowing Gorphat; if she does anything to effect this little 'display', it will likely be to make Nicora taste rather foul.
Penance hesitantly reaches to give the breast a squeeze, to see if there's actually milk involved. When it comes out thick and green, she nearly balks. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and leans in to suckle. From the grimace she makes it must taste horrible.. but after the first try she starts again. Then she opens her eyes to look to Scourge, hoping she'll indicate when she should stop drinking.
"Keep drinking until you find the taste ... somewhat pleasing," Scourge instructs, "And you will nurse from me daily until you complete the path, as any young child would of her mother."
"Mmmph," Penance says, and keeps sucking. It may be a while before she gets used to the taste. And Scourge can tell the girl is wondering if this will be her sole source of nutrition for the duration..
Scourge pets down Penance' neck. "Unless otherwise given permission, this is the only food you will be allowed; Gorphat's sacred milk," the Yodhgorphat instructs. She lets the girl nurse for many minutes; at least until it looks like she's full, or about to be ill. She then pats her shoulder, noting, "You may stop. That is enough for now."
Penance releases the teat, and drools a bit of green spittle before wiping her mouth with the back of her forearm.. then realizing that without fur it's just getting smeared on her skin. "Y-yes, Yodhgorphat Scourge," she says.
"You may also only wear what I allow. Which will either be nothing at all, or acolyte bandages," Scourge notes, "But mostly it will be naked. You must shed any concern you have for physical appearance; it is a fleeting thing."
"Even if.. will others see me?" Penance asks, sounding worried. "Nobody would take advantage of an acolyte, would they?"
Nicora leans in and licks the smeared green off Penance's chin and cheek. She hasn't actually tasted herself, after all. "Few dare touch a Yodhgorphat. Now come, I will introduce you to the Temple caretaker, Sil. She will help you find a room and bandages while I prepare for the second part of your initiation. It will be difficult and dangerous. If you survive it, you will be stronger. If you fail, you may die," she instructs.
"I won't die," Penance promises. "Gorphat wouldn't save me just to.. kill me.. would she?" she asks as she gets to her feet.. and reluctantly leaves the blanket behind.
"If you have faith in Gorphat, you will not die. So, you must hold to that," Yodhgorphat Scourge instructs as she walks out of the chamber, waving for Penance to follow. "Sil, your Mistress requires you," she calls out when she enters the main temple chamber and its altar.
The Eeee woman hurries to answer the call, and bows when she arrives. "What is your bidding, High Priestess?" she asks, only a little out of breath.
Scourge steps aside and gestures to the other naked Eeee. "This is Penance, she has joined my order an an acolyte. She may be called Acolyte Penance, or just Acolyte. She will require a room and a set of acolyte bandages. I wish you to take her to get both. Then I wish you to instruct her on the proper way to apply the bandages to her body. The technique you use to dress me is appropriate. Practice this with her for an hour or so, then come join me in the chamber of worms. Bring her with you, naked," Yodhgorphat Scourge instructs.
"Yes, High Priestess!" Sil says with a bit of exuberance. "Another Yodhgorphat soon! Come with me, child.. uh.. Acolyte." She takes Penance by the hand and leads her off toward the priestess quarters.
"Well, Mother ... it looks like you may soon have a new Daughter!" Nicora thinks all perky as she heads off towards her chamber. Or rather, the chamber next to hers; the lair of the horribs.
The room is no longer recognizable as a room. The Horribs have coated it all in sheets and columns and other organic forms using their resin. Dominating the center is a pillar that bulges out into a sphere midway between floor and ceiling, with a large hole in it. The Queen rustles about inside.
"Children, to me," Scourge says, "I have something to teach you all; how you will help serve and induct new members of the order."
The drones all leave their perches and buzz around Nicora, while the Queen pokes her head out of the nest. "Did-a-chick!" "Dud-a-chum!" the drones chorus. The Queen just makes a sort of staccato whistling sound.
"You will serve Gorphat by teaching her children to face the fear of death, endure, and continue. I will walk the child through the same ritual in a few hours, but I will walk you through it now," Scourge tells the creatures buzzing about her. "Do you understand? Are you ready to learn?"
"Did-a-chick?" Brutus asks, and tries to perch on Nicora's back as usual.
Nicora assumes that they mostly understand. She allows the horrib to land on her back as well. "I will enter with the acolyte. I will ask her to repeat after me," she explains, then takes a step forward. "This is what I will say," she says and spreads her arms wide, "I give myself and place my faith in Mother Gorphat," she intones, "I present my unworthy body to her sacred creatures so that they may teach me to face death with strength." The Yodhgorphat nods once, then says, "Now, two of you must come grip my arms firmly, but not enough to injure."
There's some bonking as the other drones sort out who gets to do this part. Finally two of the medium sized ones manage to each take an arm, using their secondary claws instead of the main pincers.
Nicora is patient and guides them about as required. Once they seem to have a good grip, she nods. "Good, now, you may need to hold her firmly in case fear overtakes her; if she struggles too much, sting her to numb her," she instructs. "Now, Brutus, come around to my front. You will be the one who 'prepares' the acolytes. Hover in front of the acolyte, then stab them in the abdomen with your feeder ... and inject them until they look a little pudgy. You may practice on me."
This takes a bit more practice, as Brutus hovers in front and looks menacing more than anything else. Eventually he extends the feeding tube, but keeps trying to insert it though the available opening instead of stabbing.
"No, no," Nicora says kindly. "This is not how the queen was born, this is different." Nevermind this means Nicora is getting a bit, stimulated by the rubbing; which naturally doesn't help her own blessings from Gorphat; her nethers are starting to ache! "Draw back, aim higher, just above my navel ... and stab." She tries to think this location to the horrib as well since they are still somewhat 'linked' to her.
It takes some prodding, but Brutus finally figures it out. The stab finally comes, and along with the pain the odd sensation of fluid filling Nicora's abdominal cavity.
"Nngh," goes Nicora when the tube penetrates; it is smooth so the insertion doesn't tear, but it still hurts like a needle! "Good," she tells Brutus, "Fill until I starts to stretch a bit; look more pudgy, then stop," she tells the huge horrib. He breathing is slow, deep, and steady; it helps her manage the discomfort. She will keep a watch on her own abdomen and tell him when to stop if he doesn't figure out when.
It doesn't help that Brutus can't stay completely stationary while hovering. So there's wiggling of the injector. It takes several minutes for the Sacred Horrib to fill the Eeee up enough to stretch the skin and put some pressure on her organs.
"Stop there," Nicora gasps when she feels the discomfort of bloat within her. It is at a noticable point, but not devbilitating; the pressure is to be the reminder.
Once the Horrib withdraws.. there's some seepage while the puncture closes.
Scourge says, "Now I will say, and she will repeat when it is her turn: I have faith in Gorphat; she will allow me to endure and survive ... being host to her sacred creatures." Now the Yodhgorphat looks to the queen and says, "That is your cue to come and hover before the acolyte. Please come hover before me."
The Queen emerges fully from her nest then. She is clearly a horrib, but with almost Eeee like features - closer to one of the Seven Demons than a monstrous bug. She's also nearly as big as Nicora now. She does hover, and draws closer and closer until she can actually place her hand-like pincers on Nicora's shoulders. She presses right up against the Eeee, wrapping her lesser arms and legs around her torso.. and undulates a bit. It's like a dance.. but one suddenly punctuated by the thrust of the ovipositor. It's much bigger than the drone's injectors, since it has to pass the eggs.
Even though Yodhgorphat Scourge knew what was coming, the embrace, and the ... dance still instills a primal fear in her. The shift and undulation feels like an age as the queen .. positions herself. When the penetration comes it actually makes Scourge cry out as the feeding hole is enlarged by the ovipositor that follows into its wound tract, right into the Yodhgorphat's body cavity. Scourge was numb the first time; this time she is not; the pain is ... unpleasant. "I accept Gorphat's creatures to live within me," she intones in a shaky voice. "Mother Gorphat, have your creature lay her eggs."
It feels like three pumps come from the Queen, so probably three eggs. Less than a typical queen would lay - but this is a special queen.
Each bump and little weight causes Scourge to twitch and draw a breath. "Once you have finished laying, draw back and return to your nest, dismissing the acolyte as if she were just meat," Scourge instructs. "Understand that these will not form into children; the acolyte will not bear horrib children for Gorphat; that will be the role of the High Priestess and a few select full Pristess' only. Those will be womb-born."
The Queen withdraws, but not before unfolding its various mouth-parts and licking Nicora's cheek with an actual tongue. She backs away like a nightmare fairy, entering her nest back-end first.
"Now, do not do this now, but you will for the acolyte. When the laying is complete, you will push the acolyte to the wall and coccoon her there," Nicora instructs, "Release me."
The two restraining drones are confused at first - one of them does try to drag Nicora to the wall, while the other releases her.. then goes and smacks the first one with its tail until it lets go.
Nicora reaches down to feel and look at her own gut, checking that the wounds are closing, or closed already, thanks to the hormones of the horrib eggs.
There's a lot of goo around the wound (which helps locate it at least, so it isn't lost in the tattoo of horrib larvae). It may be closed, at least enough to hold in the pressure.
Nicora nods at this and places her hand over the wound. She eases the shadow out and into her body. She intends to absorb the fluids; to draw the bloading down so that she looks normal. Once the fluids are gone, she will draw the shadow back out and use it to ease the wound to heal up. The eggs; those she leaves in deference to the horribs; her ... affection for the creatures means she will only remove them at the last minute during the acolyte initiation completion.
It's an odd sensation, since the fluid isn't really draining. It's just vanishing into the shadow, which is an odd sort of deflation. It feels like the fluid should be going somewhere, after all.
Nicora makes sure she looks normal enough ... not obvious she's carrying eggs within her, anyway. Once she's satisfied with that state, off to the pool to meet up with Sil and Penance.
Nicora gets to the pool well ahead of time. It's still a few more minutes before Sil brings Penance along. The girl grabs her nose when she catches the odor of the pool - a normal first-time reaction, no doubt - but also proof that she didn't grow up in the Streets Below.
"Uncover your nose," Nicora says firmly from where she stands besides the pool. "You must become accustomed to many scents; you will often have a vile one as well since you will be dealing with the streets and forgotten places. Approach me and breathe ... through your nose only."
Penance does as she's told, but it takes a toll on her. At least the green look is appropriate though, even if it barely shows on her dark skin.
Nicora cups Penance under her chin to hold her steady. "How did she fare in adorning herself appropriately, Sil? Was it acceptable?" she asks of the caretaker.
"The bandages are not as fine as your own, High Priestess," Sil says. "And she did seem slightly queasy when she saw they were bloodstained. But she learns quickly, and was able to get them on and off in good order."
"They should not be as fine as mine. She is the lowest member of the order and will wear accordingly," Scourge states. Her attention returns to the Eee before her. "Are you continuing the path, or will you run and pray for leniency from Gorphat for failure?" Scourge asks of the sick-looking Eeee before her.
"I'm not gagging," Penance claims with a bit of pride. "I'm not weak."
"Good. You will need that strength," Scourge says as she lowers her hand. "Follow me into the pool," the Yoghgorphat instructs. She turns and saunters her way down the stairs into the undulating green pool teaming with worms.
There's a very quite squeak from the Acolyte, but she does follow. Unlike Scourge she doesn't wade right in, but takes it one step at a time.
Scourge is up to her neck in the pool that burbles around her. "Each step you take makes you stronger; you learn to cope with what others will consider unpleasant. In time you will find it enjoyable," the Yodhgorphat insists.
Once Penance is up to her ribs, she finally lowers her arms into the miasma and keeps going. She's shorter than the Yodhgorphat, so is up her chin by the time she reaches her.
"Good girl. Now, tell me, how do you feel?" Scourge asks of the shorter Eeee.
"Buoyant?" Penance suggests, looking a bit distressed. "It is hard to move.. should the worms be nibbling so much?"
"The will nibble; give it no mind. Relax, get used to how it feels; the constant little distractions all over your body," Nicora instructs the acolyte. "You will often have hundreds of distractions, itches, and pains. You must learn to endure them while working in Gorphat's name. Do you understand?"
"I.. yes, Yodhgorphat," Penance says. "Learn to ignore what isn't.. serious?" she asks, to make sure. Then jumps a bit as she gets bit lower down.
"Correct. Little things should not matter to a Yodhgorphat; we exist to serve Her will and the people; to show them strength and how to survive. Show me yours," Nicora agrees and nods her head. It's also about then Nicora shifts her hand. It's likely Penance can feel the Yodhgorphat cup her between her legs. But it gets worse than that because the Yodhgorphat's fingers open the girl to the pool and its occupants!
"Is this.. ow.." Penance squeaks, as the first explorers enter and.. nibble, of course.
"Now, put your hand in place of mine and keep your body open to them; expose yourself. Remember that none of this matters," Scourge instructs as she draws her hand away.
Granted this soothes Gorphat's blessings on Courge's body, but she doesn't tell the acolyte that.
"It feels like it should," Penance says as she winces. It really is a challenge to keep herself open. "How.. how do we get them out?" she asks.
"Wash them out later; Sil can show you how. Or leave them until they come out on their own," Scourge says as she lifts her hands now. This is for a specific reason; she pours the slime over Penance's head! "You will bathe in here until you become accustomed to the smell and it becomes a part of you. Do you understand?" she asks.
"Yes, Yodhgorphat," Penance says, trying to blow the goo from her nose. "Even when my fur grows back?" she asks.
"Even then. Or, you can choose to go without fur as I do. I can bless you as Mother Gorphat has blessed me," Scourge offers.
"I may not be worthy of that honor," Penance says.. and sounds sincere. She keeps having to blow the runny slime away from her nose so she can breath.
"We shall see then. I am proud of the blessings Mother Gorphat has given me. I would not wish to be without them," Scourge counters with her own sincerity. "Now, tell me, how do you feel? Are you finding focus easier yet?"
"Easier?" the girl asks. "What.. what should I focus on, Mistress? It is hard to just ignore things."
"Concentrate on Gorphat; of course, and the wonder that she is. A being that loves her children, and so pushes them to be stronger," Scourge states.
Penance closes her eyes and starts to mutter a prayer. "Mother Gorphat, lead me to strength. Mother Gorphat, deliver me from triviality. Mother Gorphat, lead me to strength..."
"Good. Continue," Scourge instructs as she reaches ofer to place her hands on Penance's hips. The touch is light; mainly to feel her and if the Eeee's twitching eases up as she prays.
There's still a lot of twitching. The girl keeps up her mantra. Minutes pass.. and then she seems to growing calmer.
And Scourge lets minutes more pass as she also rests in the pool. To herself she is also praising Gorphat for all that she has done and can do. For allowing her to serve as her High Priestess, and for making her body a canvas for depicting her wonders. Service in Gorphat's name can tend people to be a little odd after all. When Penance feels truly calm, Scourge draws her hands back. "There, you have found calm. You are now ready for the real challenge," she says.
"Will a bath be involved?" the slime-covered girl asks, with a slight grin.
"No. You will be facing your own mortality, and remember it this time," Scourge says in all seriousness; though she does also offer the girl a small smile of her own. "Come, we must leave the pool and extract the worms," she adds as she walks around Penance and heads out of the pool, dripping slime and icky things in her wave from all parts of her body.
It takes Penance nearly as long to get out of the pool as it did to get in. She stands with her arms and legs and wings spread as the goo drips off of her.
Meanwhile Scourge is cleaning herself off by using her hands like squeegees. She also spreads parts and pulls out as many of the invading little buggers as she can. She's an expert at this by this point! So, when Scourge is done, she goes to help Penance wipe herself off too, as well as pull things out of her body. "Most things are not as bad as they may first appear," she notes. "You did well. You do not look as if you are going to throw up, either," she notes.
"I'm not bleeding," the girl says, sounding surprised. "I thought they'd have drawn blood.. do they just eat dead skin?"
At that, Scourge smiles, "You are learning. They are actually quite healthy in that respect; they can be good treatments for burn victims to remove the dead skin." She also leans in and sniffs Penance's shoulder, noting, "And you are starting to smell appropriately."
"I think my nose has gone numb," the girl says, rubbing her nose with the palm of her hand. "Is the smell important for the next test?"
"No, but being able to focus on other things will be. This challenge will be one of the hardest you will face. If your faith fails you, you will die. If your faith holds, you will live. I will be going through it with you so that you have an example of true faith. I know Mother Gorphat will spare me. You will now follow me to the chamber. You must do exactly what I do. You must say exactly what I say. You cannot run, no matter what you see or how much fear you feel. You must find faith and strength in that faith," Scourge says and places her hand over Penance's heart. "Are you ready?"
The girl's heart is starting to race already. "I.. I'm ready," she declares, despite obviously being afraid.
"Good, because next you face your own mortality and it is by your own choice," Nicora says. She takes the Acolyte's hand and leads her out of the pool room. Where they go ... is to the sacred horrib chamber.
"What.. is this?" Penance asks, her voice cracking now.
"These," Scourge explains as she waves her arm around the room, "Are Gorphat's sacred insects; the horrib. They breed by laying their eggs into a living host. When they mature, they eat their way out." Scourge pauses there to let that sink in, then adds the real blow, "These are my children. I bore these."
The girl's cheeks puff out like she's going to say something, but instead she just shivers. "I'm not going to die," she whispers to herself. "I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die.."
Scourge lifts her hand and cups it around Penance's cheek. "If you keep faith, you will not die. Gorphat will see you through and you will be stronger for it. One of our duties as Priestess will be to this sacred hive; we will carry their children as needed," she explains. "Now, still and find your strength. Watch me and listen. Do and say as I do and accept this. Become one of us."
Scourge even leans in and kisses Penance upon her scabbed-over Wound mark on her forehead.
"I will do my best," the girl says. She sounds brave, but there are still tears welling up at the corners of her eyes.
Scourge even wipes away the tears. "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. You have the potential to be so very strong," she whispers in Penance' ears. She then turns away and walks towards the orb in the center and spreads her arms...
This time when Scourge speaks, she leaves off the instructions, though she does think them to help nudge the horribs to do what they were instructed to. It must be a horrible sight for Penance; especially when Brutus, the largest of the horribs, comes before Scourge and stabs her in the gut! It only gets worse as minutes have to pass while Penance watches Scourge swell up until she looks mildly pregnant. Through this Scourge's face looks solemn and strong. That hopefully helps Penance find strength when the queen emerges! The queen is a true horror and so is the embrace and the dance she does with Scourge. Like before, Scourge cannot help herself and does make a muffled cry when the ovipositor strikes. And though Scourge cannot see it, Penance can; and she sees the ovipositor swell and pulsate three times. The queen then withdraws from her new host and slips silently back into her hive heart.
Scourge stands there wobbling since she has six eggs in her now instead of the typical three. Granted she does have the advantage of removing them, but it does tend to induce fear in her anyway. It is always a risk doing this. The horribs release her and she turns to face Penance. Her hand is on her distended gut as she approaches Penance. Again Scourge reaches up to cup Penance's cheek. "Your turn, Acolyte Penance. Prove you devotion; give your flesh to Gorphat's sacred creatures," she tells the Eeee.
Penance steps forward, and holds out her arms. She's shaking, but does manage to repeat the words of the ritual without tripping on any of them. The two medium drones grab onto her arms, and Brutus once more approaches. The girl cries out when she's stabbed.. but the big drone doesn't pump her full! After two 'practice' rounds, he may be out of goo! The three smallest drones come forward instead, and while they try to use the same entry, one is impatient and stabs Penance while the other is still filling her. Now the restraint drones really have to work, since the pain is making it hard for Penance to remain standing. She's sobbing openly by the time the junior drones are finished, leaving her very distended. When the Queen embraces her, the girl leans into the insect, letting her support some of her weight.
"Okay, that was worse than I intended for her, but ... it will be memorable. Wow, she is distended," Scourge thinks as she watches this living sort of nightmare. "Very good, Acolyte. Now, ask to face your mortality; ask the Queen and Gorphat to bless you with a clutch," the Yoghgorphat encourages. She doesn't move to help her in any way, Penance must do this on her own.
There's no cry when the Queen lays her eggs. Either Penance is beyond pain at the moment or simply too exhausted. She's still muttering her prayer though, despite everything. When she's released, the two drones on her arms - along with Brutus - drag her over to a depression in one of the walls and begin to cocoon her.
Scourge approaches the girl and caresses her face. "You will be held here for a day while the wounds heal and the eggs implant," she explains and caresses the girl's cheek before it is goo-covered. "Think on Gorphat; keep to your Faith," Scourge says, "And you will survive. If you feel as if you will falter, look to me, the High Priestess; I will be going through this as well." She accentuates this by massaging her own swollen belly.
Penance is unresisting, and looks exhausted. "Did I.. did I do well?" she asks Scourge at barely above a whisper. "Do they like me?"
Scourge leans in and kisses Penance's forehead again. "You did very well; you made Gorphat and I very proud," the High Priestess claims. "And yes, they like you; and in time you will learn to like them. Faith willing; this will not be the only clutch you bear in Gorphat's honor."
"I have to survive.." Penance says, her eyes closing. "It hurts. I'll be strong. Mother Gorphat, help me to overcome.." Her words start to slur a bit as she passes out.
Scourge kisses over each of Penance's eyes to get her to close them. "Coccoon her head as well so she is in darkness for her stay, leave only her nose and mouth free enough to breathe" she thinks to her insect brood; hoping they will understand.
The drones happily go to work, while Brutus returns his to his perch next to the Queen's nest and appears to take a nap.
And with that Scourge steps back to let the horribs work. And she ... she makes her way back to her own chambers with her hand on her lower back for support against the additional weight in her gut. "Looks like I am stuck with you for a bit, I have to guide her through this. Having someone to look to will help her have faith," she thinks to herself.
It's luckily a very short waddle to Nicora's private suite. She seems to sink a bit deeper into the bed than usual. Once settled, a moment is taken to make sure nothing is moving internally before she can try to relax.
Nicora rubs her hand over her gut. "Hmm, a few days like this, reducing it a little each day I think," she murmurs to herself as fingers run over the very taut skin; it makes the tattoos only look worse, really.
"This should make Inala jealous," Gorphat notes, patting the belly like it was a snare-drum. "No births for Her! Well.. I'll admit these aren't traditional pregnancies, but still.. they say it's the thought that counts!"
Nicora almost sits up! Except the gut makes it so she can't easily once she is lying down. "Well, it also isn't like these will be born either, Mother. They are to just enforce your new Daughter's faith in you," Scourge says with a genuine smile to her Mother.
"I see you are working on a condensed version of the Path of Affliction," Gorphat says, and sits yoga-style on Nicora's belly. At least she doesn't weigh much. "Times change. I suppose the old Path's lessons will need updating, adding more focus on the whole.. curing people thing you've started.." She rolls her wrist as she says the last part.
"Yes, but I am trying to keep the general principles of the path mostly intact," Nicora insists. "You are not ... pleased with my recruiting effort?"
"I'm thrilled!" Gorphat says, laughing. "You took a stuck up nobleman's daughter and ate her memories and her fur, then threw her into the horrib's den within a few hours of getting her into the Temple! That's fast work! Can't really afford the luxury of the old slow and often fatal methods."
"Plus there's this whole redemption thing.. I like that angle," Gorphat adds. "Should use that. Advertise it."
Nicora has to stabilize her jiggling belly from the laugh! "Well, time is limited and having me to guide her should accelerate it all. I had to do it alone," she notes. "And yes, advertise. Once Penance has completed her trials, I will be having her work in the camps in Your honor. I will have her spread the word."
"There's so many out there that need to clean up their image for the New Babel," Gorphat cackles, rubbing her hands together. "A few carefully placed curses, a suggestion of redemption.. POW! They'll be coming in droves to devote themselves to a life of public service... Oh, and you'll need to make the new girl give milk too."
"I'm not sure I can call this milk," Nicora notes as she massages one of her many teats until it oozes thick green. The dabs her finger in it, then tastes it for her own curiosity. "But I intended that all Priestess will have this blessing; I found it good for initiations. Thank you for blessing me with it."
"And you shall pass it along," Gorphat says, and grins. "Except it'll be more permanent than Inala's little milk blessing. Plus, new girl is a virgin. A virgin giving milk is a pretty nifty miracle."
"My blessing seems pretty permanent; I lactate daily in this body," she notes. Nicora also thinks for a bit. "Do you have an opinion on what sort of body piercing would best represent you, Mother?" she asks. "I find them effective distractions at times and feel they help shed concern over personal appearance."
"I don't know that I can be summed up with a bit of jewelry," Gorphat says. "Make the acolytes meditate until they have a vision of what would best signify their relationship to me. That should keep them busy, and avoid any easy-out copycats."
"Mm, that is a good suggestion, thank you, Mother," Nicora says. She tilts her head and asks, "Does it bother you that I am not a virgin? I am sorry, Mother, but there are times I find sex ... necessary. Your blessing encourages it."
"Bah, if you were a virgin, we'd never have found the Artist," Gorphat says. "Think he'd work on the new girl? Ink on black would be a waste.. but scars. Scars work on everything!"
"I imagine he would work on the girl, yes," Nicora has to agree, "But ... I should have scars too if she will, the High Priestess should bear more than the lesser Priestess."
Gorphat reaches over and raps her knuckles on Nicora's scarred scalp. "Been there done that! Or you could do the scarring. Like with the Wound you drew on her forehead. It's not hard to make scars!"
"That's only one scar, I have room for more," Nicora claims as she rubs her scarred scalp. "But yes, I could. I intend to make that symbol on her forehead permanent is she passes all the trials."
"A fine reward," Gorphat says, and taps her chin. "Better still if you can make it ooze something. Something useful, mind you. A good way to get people to kiss our foreheads."
"Hmm, I shall have to ponder on that; perhaps a worm that lives under the skin with its little tail sticking out a small hole that oozes something helpful. I shall have to research," Nicora suggests, "A squirming scar."
"I like that!" Gorphat says, and claps. "Do that! There are lots of skin worms."
"Is there a book that describes them here? Samples in the cells below?" Nicora inquires.
"Scrolls, in the Hall of Parasites. Send the new girl down there to do the research for you! Oh, and new Yodhgorphat will need a Sacred Drone of their own," the goddess suggests. "Don't care if they have to birth it themselves or not. But the drones are just so awesome."
"They should have to birth them in time; it helps them bond to the Daughter. Mine have bonded to me for example. I should also probably birth another clutch of them before I leave Babel as well," Nicora notes, bringing up the inevitable. "To make sure the hive has sufficient numbers."
"They'll get spoiled, but.. that makes them special!" Gorphat says. "I like how the Queen is turning out. She'll need to be painted green of course."
"Get spoiled? How?" Nicora has to ask. "As for painting her green, if that is your wish I can do so."
"Spoiled compared to other horribs," Gorphat elucidates. "After all, the Queen's children won't have to eat their way out. They'll be born.. uh.. naturally. I wonder if each generation will become a little more Eeee-like as a result? Wouldn't that be a hoot?"
Nicora pokes her gut. "Well, these won't be born. Not unless I somehow move them to my womb and keep them alive," she notes. "I will have to teach the queen how to womb lay as well. She instinctively knows how to do it their normal way."
"I'm confident you can do it," Gorphat claims. "After all, you taught Hosheb!"
Nicora smiles slightly at that name. "Ah yes, the demon that is practically my husband," the Yodhgorphat notes.
"Well, he's my demon first," Gorphat points out.. by poking Nicora in the belly. "Don't go loaning him out. It's okay to have him for a few initiation rituals, I suppose.. but don't wear him out!"
Nicora oofs. "I did not intend to loan him or use him for any initiation rituals," she claims. "I want to have some aspects of you and service to you specific to me," she admits, "I would get jealous."
"I imagine jealousy is allowable," Gorphat notes, looking thoughtful. "Zakaro might have claim to it.. not sure."
"I want to be special to you," Nicora claims as she reaches up and pets Gorphat's stomach. "Some blessings and service only for me."
Gorphat arches a soggy eyebrow. "And what will I get out of that arrangement?" she asks.
"Absolute devotion, love, and worship from me, of course," Nicora says, "And anything else you might desire. Is there more you would desire?"
"Possibly," Gorphat says. "I just can't think of anything right now. Hmmm.. but it should be something to get back at Blakat for getting a monster out of you.."
Nicora taps her chin. "Mother, you did say you would bless me if I found you another daughter," the Yodhgorphat reminds nervously.
"Yes, and I will bless you.. once she is fully my Daughter," Gorphat says with a big grin. "I don't want to scare her off. Although.. hmmm..." She gets a sly look.
Nicora tilts her head, ears flicked slightly. "Mother?" she inquires. Gorphat looking sly is a dangerous thing.
The goddess holds up a finger in a just-a-moment gesture. "I'm thinking," she says. "It has to be something that won't interfere.. but would make things more challenging.."
So Nicora proceeds to run her fingers along Gorphat's legs and up along her stomach while the Goddess thinks; trying not to distract her too much.
"You're feeding her," Gorphat notes, still grinning. "I'll just make it a bit easier," she says, and then laughs in her gurgle-filled way.
Nicora nods. "I am, yes. She is to nurse from me daily unless given permission to have other food," the Yodhgorphat agrees, head still tilted. That laugh is worrisome.
Gorphat leans down and kisses Nicora on the forehead. "Don't worry, I'll let you keep your arms and legs. Otherwise Magog would get jealous.." And then, the goddess is gone.. and Nicora starts to feel an ache.
"Wha...?" Nicora says as she struggles to push herself upright and use her hands to trace down that ache. "What did Mother just do ... what did she mean about Magog?" she wonders.
Nicora feels swollen.. and not just her belly. Her breasts feel swollen. All of them. The ones that are normally just teats on her lower (now bloated) belly are also swelling up.. into full sized breasts. Which means the others are getting even bigger. And pretty soon they're all doing more than just leaking the slimy milk.
Nicora blinks, then goes wide-eyes as she finds herself losing the view of her own swollen belly due to the swelling. Now she knows what she meant about Magog; she she had rather large appendages that oozed all the time. And here Nicora now has ... her own slime production as things start to continuously trickle instead of only when they were encouraged, massaged, and nursed. "How big is this going to get?" she asks the room as she finds even sitting upright to be extremely awkward and getting moreso by the second.
They seem to have stopped.. but the small ones are still fist-sized, and the others are as big as her head at the very least. Along with the bloated belly, just sitting up hurts her back.
Nicora struggles to remain sitting up ... but eventually finds herself flat on her back with her front feeling heavy. As she lays there she starts feeling ... wet. No; slimy. She starts to see rivulets of the thick slimy-green 'milk' oozing down her topmost teats and slicking the skin to a sluglike texture. "This is ... definitely going to be a challenge," the Yodhgorphat has to agree. Flight will be out unless she shifts to Scourge-Dragon; and she may have to rely on her walking furniture to move around more and more; she'll tire out like this quickly. Plus, they ache, constant pressure to go along with the pressure in her gut. So, she decides on a distraction to help pass some time (or wear her out). "Hosheb!" she calls out in thought.
"You summoned?" the demonic voice echoes from the shadows. It's always from the shadows.
Nicora remains where she lays, but does spread her legs apart and lifts them so her knees are bent. "Please mate with me, my ... husband," she requests quietly. "I crave your special kind of ... pain."
"You are like a larva," Hosheb notes, and does mount her.. awkwardly, given all the inflated bits. "Prettier than Magog," he compliments.
"Great, I look like a larva," Nicora thinks a bit grimly, then winces when the sharp pain hits; Hosheb is not built for comfort in that way at all; spiny and hard. "If it is easier, I can roll over", she offers.
"No, I enjoy the seeing things wobble," the demon Horrib says.. and then proceeds to make everything wobble quite vigorously.
And Nicora finds her troubles disappear into a haze of unpleasant pain! But in this odd state she does spot something in particular and remembers a way to make this a bit ... easier. She can just have Blarf attach its pseudopods to her and keep the slime under control as much as possible! This makes her smile ... well, for a short bit; Hosheb is an aggressive lover after all and he always likes to leave his lovers ... wounded. It's going to be a challenging few days to be sure!