This is a far cry from the usual gazebo where Alptraum tends to meet Inala. Sitting on her throne and wearing diaphanous drapes, the goddess does look a bit taller and more intimidating. "You are probably wondering why I have summoned you," Inala intones to Alptraum. They're the only ones here, so all of the lower seats are empty.
Alptraum rubs his forehead a bit. "That goes without saying," he concedes. A quick neck snap and he's thrown most of his long mane of white hair back. "I haven't done anything I know of that would have offended you as of late."
"It isn't about me being offended," Inala claims. "You've been doing things with my Sisters and having fun with them. So it is only fair that you do something for me, isn't it?"
"Haven't I been? I acted as your stand-in servant for that crazy Eeee up on Rephidim," Alptraum points out and waves his hand for 'flare'.
"That isn't the same," Inala insists. "That all stems from being the Shrine Maiden, after all. But I want you to do something for me as yourself.." The goddess smiles, and says, "It isn't anything icky.."
"It's a bit disconcerting to be summoned up for orgies, you know. Not exactly how I saw my life going," Alptraum remarks with respect to the 'shrine maiden' duties. He is also somehow not too trusting about it isn't icky. All the sisters have ways to make things icky, after all. "But, since I'm here and you've gone to the trouble, sure, I'll do it," he concedes warily.
"That's good to hear!" Inala says, clapping her hands. "It's a simple task, too: I just need you to retrieve something one of my Sisters.. borrowed.. from me and seem to have forgotten to return."
"Stolen, you mean," Alptraum corrects with a smirk and a raised finger. "Who took it and what was it...?"
"It was my set of golden restraints," Inala says, looking sad about it.. or at least pouting. "Rephath does not use them as they were meant to be used."
Alptraum blinks. "Oh, you mean restraints to hold someone you're inflicting pleasure upon? These go on the limbs, right? Or are they, er, more creative than that?" he asks.
"They have many configurations," Inala claims. "I do not like them being used for improper forms of torture."
"There are proper forms of torture?" Alptraum has to ask. "How is she using them?"
"For restraining people, of course," Inala says. "In.. vengeful ways. Usually involving animals coming to devour some part of the person over and over again. You know how she is.."
"So, what is the trick to getting them? I half suspect they have to be obtained in some odd way, yes?" Alptraum asks suspiciously. "And I should point out that theft is also a crime that probably requires judgment if she argues."
"It isn't a crime of revenge though," Inala notes. "As for how to get them.. I don't know. There are supposed to be challenges along the path which, when overcome, grant you something to help you figure that out."
"What sort of challenges?" Alptraum asks next, even more suspicious. "Nicora has plenty of challenges already..."
"Well, challenges of the sort appropriate for the path between Love and Vengeance," Inala suggests, and waves her hand. "I could provide you with an aide, I suppose.." she says, and exhales a glowing vapor.. which reforms into a tiny version of herself, less than a foot hight, except with glowing fairy wings. "Minala here will help you."
"It isn't necessary to provide me a helper. So, what are the rules? Do I have to wear something specific? Walk backwards? Go blindfolded?" Alptraum ticks off his fingers.
"Just follow meee!" Minala says after zipping around Alptraum's head a few times, then hugging the side of it. "It'll be fun! Fun fun fun!"
Alptraum's ear twitches during the hug. "Right, I'll just ... follow you," he concedes with the tone of someone who was given the diagnosis of some horrible ailment. "Lead on!"
The fairy-bat zips off through the trunks of the trees that make up the palace, but at least there's a glowing path left in her wake. The trees gradually become a normal forest, and the slope angles downward. Mist hides most of what's ahead.
"Of course she sent me on this quest naked. That's ... rather like her," Alptraum mutters under his breath to himself as he saunters after the glowing trail. It means she's taking this quest seriously in her aspect, and that makes him even more nervous. A serious Goddess? In Babel that rarely is a good thing.
There's a gate at the edge of the forest, and Minala hovers before it. It's ivory and gold and stands in the middle of the path.. with no fence or anything to keep one from just walking around it. "Hey! Hey! Lookit this, Alptraum! Hey! It's a gate! LOOK!"
Alptraum looks for a rock to throw at the 'fairy'...
There are plenty of rocks, since it's the side of a mountain. They are all shaped rather suggestively though, since it's Inala's mountain, of course.
Alptraum picks up one of the rocks and lightly tosses it at Minala. Where he in one of the more promiscuous female forms, that form would probably put the rock someplace else. "Yes, I can see it! I'm not blind," the Eeee groans. He walks up to the gate and stares at it for a bit. "So, what stops me from just walking around?" he asks the gate.
Minala is.. well, hugging the rock. "What? What stops you?" she squeaks. "Nothing stops you, but if you do, then the path won't be there. Because it goes through the gate! This should be obvious."
Alptraum looks around the gate, to test that theory.
Beyond the gate is... more mountainside. There just isn't a path.
Alptraum rolls his eyes, but doesn't admit Minala is right. Instead he tries to, well, open the gate!
The gate is locked.. and the lock looks exactly how one would picture one of Inala's locks looking.
Alptraum rubs his forehead again. "You have got to be kidding me. I have to ... make love to the gate to get it to open?" he asys, mortified. He actually rubs the lock gently with his hand and fingers, testing the theory...
It softens and quivers a bit. Not enough to unlock the gate, but it does respond at least.
Alptraum just ... laughs. Not wanting to put really delicate parts into that ... thing, the Eeee kneels down beore the lock and continues to .. play with it for a bit. Fingers first, then a little bit of feeling inside ... and if nothing bites ... perhaps a deep sort of kiss.
This seems to work, given that the lock can't be more than inch deep anyway. The gate shivers and quivers and the lock pops with a sort of sigh sound, revealing the path beyond.
Alptraum licks his lips, the taste all too familiar. "Well, I've done odder, I suppose. Not too bad," he has to concede as he eases the gate open so that he can continue the walk. "We will speak of that to no one," he notes to Minala.
"Why?" the sprite asks, flitting about. "I could sit on your tongue!" she points out. The path is soon the only thing clearly seen through the mists, but there are sounds: running water, splashing.. and grunts. "We're getting close to a dream! We're in Loneliness now."
"If you sat on my tongue I wouldn't be able to speak," Alptraum points out. His pace slows a bit as he rolls one of his tongue studs against his lips. "Loneliness? That doesn't inspire ... good things, does it?" he asks. He keeps walking, ears flicking about as he tries to pinpoint the grunting.
The mists clear a bit to one side of the path, revealing a simple fence made of tree branches. There's a hog on the other side, grunting at Alptraum.. and a sense of activity further past the fence.
Alptraum walks up to the fence to check out the hog. "Well, hello there, what is the problem here?" he asks of it.
The hog grunts. Alptraum's time as Boartraum lets him recognize hogs a bit.. and this one looks like one of the boars from the last arena fight.. which neither boar survived. It grunts some more, then turns and wanders away from the fence.
Alptraum tries to climb over the fence to follow the hog. That is if this area will let him. "I assume I am to follow it?" he asks of Minala.
"It's got a big butt!" Minala declares, flying up to the hog and poking its butt. "BIG PIGGY BOOTY!" She seems content to follow it though.
There certainly isn't anything stopping Alptraum from following.
"All boars have large butts," Alptraum has to agree as he's now over the fence and following after the hog. His wings twitch a bit, though, in case he need to take flight if a gang of higs attack him!
There are more hogs as they go further. Rather mellow hogs, and, presumably, all dead hogs. Eventually they come to a well, with a plainly dressed figure bent over the edge to pull up a bucket.
"Mm, all the hogs lost in the area, or worse," Alptraum mutters to himself. As he approaches the well, he calls out, "Ah, hello there! Can you tell me where I am and why all the hogs?" Probably a dumb question, but it's easier to just ask and be called dumb, than do something dumb.
There's a squeak followed by a splash, as the person drops the bucket. She also nearly whacks her head on the stones as she straightens up abruptly. Of course its Trystle. "How can you talk?" she blurts, followed by, "You're not a hog! And you're naked!"
"She can't see or hear me!" Minala tells Alptraum, landing on his shoulder. "Nope! I'm invisible!"
"Well, blame Inala for that; she prefers naked," Alptraum claims. He's not ashamed of it by now, he's sure spent enough time this way. "I'm Alptraum, by the way. Also known as the Barsunala. What brings you to this place?"
"Brings me here?" Trystle asks, trying not to keep glancing downwards. "I'm.. always here. Nobody else is though. I mean, except for the hogs.. It's just me, all the time.." she babbles.
"Have we met before?" she then asks.
Alptraum waves a hand and out swirls some shadow to cloak him to make her more comfortable. "Everyone meets me eventually," he claims. "Why do you think we have met before?"
"Dunno, something.. about you.." Trystle says, then bites her lower lip and shrugs. "I like hogs. I understand them. People.. are harder. Barsunala.. Barsunala.. that's something to do with death isn't it?" The girl then gets a horrified look on her face and asks, "You aren't here to take my hogs away, are you?"
"No, I deal with the death of people, not hogs," Alptraum corrects, "And I'm not here for you, either. I'm not sure why you're here, or me. I was walking a path and one of your hogs grunted at me, so I followed it."
"Loneliness is where we are, and she is lonely," Minala tells Alptraum.
"Who comes for the hogs then?" Trystle asks.
"I ... do not know. Would you prefer it if I go?" Alptraum asks and thumbs back towards the way he came.
"No!" Trystle says, and reaches out to grab onto Alptraum's clothes, but her hands go right through the shadow to his fur. "Nobody's every come here! Nobody! Do you have to go?" she asks.
"I don't have to go, no. I'm not sure what I can do to help, you, though. I'm not usually someone wants around for company," Alptraum points out. "And I make you uncomfortable. I'm not a hog."
"But you're here, and talking to me," Trystle says. "I know I'm missing something, just being with hogs."
"I bet she's got the thing you need," Minala says.
"I have no idea what to do with her," Alptraum whispers under his breath. Louder, he says, "Well, I can stay. For a bit anyway. What is it you feel you are missing...?"
"Uh.. well.. I'm lonely," Trystle explains. "How do I not be? What do I do?"
"Hard question to answer," Alptraum admits as he looks for a place to sit. "Loneliness manifests in many ways; from just wanting friends to wanting intimacy. I know when you're young you're uncomfortable making friends, too worried about being thought weird, or boring, or ugly, or .... well, it can be a long list. I've been there. Even I feel lonely often, but such comes with my job."
"But I am weird and boring and ugly," Trystle claims. "At least.. compared to most other girls. Should I try to find others like myself?"
"You aren't weird, or ugly," Alptraum counters and shrugs. "You're like most girls your age. Well, outside of your hog seduction. That part is a little different."
"How do I know what someone is thinking though?" Trystle asks. There's a little bench next to the well (was it there before?) so she sits next to Alptraum. "People don't respond like hogs do. I've tried."
"Well, whistling at people doesn't work, true. Well, except for me, but I'm a special case," Alptraum concedes, "As for what they're thinking, you just have to ask them. Many will tell you, sort of like how you know what one of your hogs is thinking."
"So.. what are you thinking about me?" Trystle asks.
"That I have to be very careful with you. Being what I am ... well, I tend to scare people when they meet me," Alptraum says, "And how you would react if you knew I've been watching over your for a few days now. I came to destroy your family for what they were doing and instead stayed so I could help save it. All because I wanted to make mostly you, but also your family, happier."
"Really?" Trystle asks, surprised. "You want me to be happier? And you've met my family.. and you've watched me? Watched me do what?"
Alptraum looks her right in the eyes. "Using me to warm your bathwater was a bit mean, you know," he says by way of a clue, then actually grunts at her.
"Burtrum!" Trystle gasps. "But.. Burtrum doesn't have all that jewelry," she notes, sounding a bit skeptical. "And that would mean you've been in my bed! I actually had a man in my bed?"
"You had a hog in your bed. Also a demigod, but mostly a hog," Alptraum corrects. "I can take on different forms if the situation warrants it."
"But you were nice to me," the girl says. Then her ears blush a bit, as she realizes, "And you saw me naked! Or does that not count because you were a hog?"
"That part I didn't mind so much," Alptraum admits and grins. His head tilts, then he taps the side of it with a finger, "And oh yes, another clue for you ..." He reaches over and runs his hands through Trystle's hair ... and using the shadow, he tries to make all of it match the single stripe of color it normally has. "I think it looks better when it is more complete color too," he tells her.
"Hah, that's a neat trick!" Trystle says. "Father wouldn't let me do that, though, I'm sure. And.. oh.. so, does Burtrum like being around me? I mean, do the hogs want to be with me, or is it just because I charm them somehow?"
"No, they like you. I can tell you that from experience," Alptraum says and taps her nose tip with a claw. "It isn't just because you can influence them; they just feel close to you."
This seems to relieve the girl. "Oh.. that's good. Really good!" she says. "I was never sure. They're the only friends I ever have, and if they were just under a spell.." She goes silent for a moment. Then she looks sideways at Alptraum. "Can I see you naked again?" she asks. "You've got stuff stuck to you and I didn't get a really good look the first time."
That causes Alptraum to laugh. "Some forms do, some don't," he notes as he lets the shadow dissipate. "I can recommend a place in Babel if you would like to get some for yourself. It hurts a bit, but it can be a lot of fun."
Trystle's social skills, having revolved around animal husbandry for the most part, are a bit lacking. Which is why she uses her fingers to move things about to get a better view, "Like these rings?" she asks, and actually tries to fit a finger through one of them. "What are they for? Do they mean something? I understand a ring through the nose.."
This makes Alptraum squirm around for a bit. "They're for ... lots of things. Sometimes for toys that keep excitement under control, should I choose to give someone that power," he tries to explain politely. "Chastity toys."
"They aren't for.. keeping your keys or stuff when you're naked and don't have pockets?" Trystle asks, shocked that they'd have anything other than a perfectly mundane use. "I don't know much about sex - I just know the sows and boars need to be kept separated."
"And you know about the fake sow used for the boars. So, yes, you know some things," Alptraum counters and smirks.
"Yeah, but that's different," Trystle says, then stops playing with Alptraum's bits to look up and ask, "Isn't it? Are they the same when they're with a real sow? The fake one doesn't kick or make noises.."
"It's mostly the same except, well, yes, the real sow would fight a bit probably. Unless in the proper mood that is," Alptraum says and shrugs a bit. "It's not that different from Eeee."
"So.. how's that work?" Trystle asks, eyes wide. "You mean both people have to do stuff at the same time?"
"Well, yes," Alptraum says, surprised she hasn't figured some of it out on her own. "Or one can be passive and let the other do everything. It all depends on the mood and wishes of those involved."
"Plus there are options for women where men can use other parts, like their tongues, to stimulate the proper areas on a woman without risk of pregnancy," Alptraum adds and shrugs.
"I don't suppose I could teach a hog do to that though," Trystle asks, then looks embarrassed. "I've never even used my tongue for anything but.. eating. Dad is kind of overprotective.. he wants me to have a big coming-out party with lots of well-to-do boys to sort of.. Wow, I suppose it's just like showing off a prize sow at the farmer's market.."
"Well, if you want to be weird you could teach the boars how to treat you like a sow," Alptraum comments with a smirk. "I didn't think you looked at hogs that way though."
"Well, looking at you.. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work," Trystle says. "They're just built different. And the screaming would hurt my ears anyway." She goes back to fondling, and asks, "Are these bumps normal?"
Alptraum squirms around again. "No, those are additions that were forced upon me," he claims.
"Forced?" Trystle asks, but doesn't let go. "How? I mean.. how could you be forced? Did it hurt? What're they for?"
"Well, do you want to feel what it is like? I can give you options. Normal ... tongue ... or ... Burtraum," Alptraum offers, smirking.
"And then you'll know what they are for," he adds.
"I should know what to expect from a person, I guess," Trystle says, warming up to the idea. "So I won't be surprised or scared or.. I dunno.. maybe even want to meet someone. Can you do all of them? Except for the boar.. I'm pretty sure that would cause problems."
Alptraum laughs, "Well, even that I could probably do safely, but since you ask me not to ..." And with that he stands then lifts her off the branch, only to set her down on the earth beside them. It's now his turn to explore her with his hands, and that does include stripping her clothing off.
"Eeee!" Trystle squeals in a laughing sort of way. "I feel funny! Well, maybe not to you.." she giggles.
"No, you feel perfectly normal to me," Alptraum claims as he tosses away the last remaining bit of clothing. "Lets see if you taste normal," he now adds. This turns into kissing. First normal, gentle, right on her mouth. Then down he goes, her neck, then her chest. There he makes sure to actually nurse on her to remind her she actually has something there. Lower still he goes, kissing over her stomach, then ending with a kiss on the Trystle's 'Inala's Gate'. Gentle, but slowly growing exploratory and probing. It also explains the tongue decoration...
It takes Trystle a few minutes to figure out what do with her legs as the sensations overtake - but eventually she stops flailing them about, and realizes that what she really wanted to move all along where her hips. Breathing also becomes a new challenge, as if she'd forgotten how that works as well. She doesn't make hog sounds though, at least. They're all familiar Eeee ones that Alptraum understands the meaning of.
And Alptraum keeps this part up until she seems rather relaxed and well very ready for the next part. The kiss breaks and he slides back up until he's face to face with her. Kissing resumes there, just as a roll pushes their bodies together intimately. Now she gets to learn what the internal studding was for...
There's more moaning, and no hesitance to kissing parts of Alptraum that taste just like her now - sex often overrides the 'ewww' part of the brain. And Trystle figures out the whole 'both moving together' thing after a few minutes as well, and later how to control her limbs in a way that enhances things instead of accidentally pummeling Alptraum. And unseen by the girl, a glowing naked sprite dances around waving pom-poms and cheering. Probably best that she misses out on that.
And Alptraum is trying to ignore it. In true 'servant of Inala' fashion, his focus is on her pleasure, making sure to pace and control so that he doesn't get over-ridden by the sensation before she does. It's one thing he can thank Mave for at least, how to make things last. He also makes sure his movement makes best use of the studding.
Trystle starts having breathing issues again, either holding her breath or hyper-ventilating when she isn't moaning or laughing or making up new words. It's enough to at least keep the ghost-hogs at a distance. At least it's obvious when she peaks. Trystle is not a quiet girl, and this is at least a match for her snoring (although there are a lot of snorts when she gets her noise-vs-breathing confused).
And of course Alptraum keeps it up, using the shadow to stimulate that area on the outside while things work on the inside. He's also being a bit impish, for when it finishes, well, she'll have a color stripe down there too, to match her head! But enough of that for now as he focuses on finding his end too, and given how long this has gone on, it doesn't take him long once he switches up positions a bit. He peaks, and his sounds join with hers for ... okay, it has to be honest, it almost sounds like two rutting hogs. At least that part is short lived as when it all comes to an end, he rolls off her, panting.
There's a tug when he rolls away, with something stuck to the one ring near the tip.
Alptraum reaches down to unstick whatever it is that is stuck to him ... if he can without hurting himself that is. "This is new," he thinks.
It unclips.. and is a golden key. A somewhat sticky one, but a key.
Alptraum wipes it off on the grass and sits up. "Well, I had best get going. I have things I still have to do," he tells Trystle. "I doubt you'll remember much of this other than as a really odd dream."
"Mmmfuffleblahb.." Trystle mutters. She's got a bubble growing and shrinking out of her nose.
"Usually it is the guy that does that," Alptraum comments as he gets to his feet. It's now backtracking back to the path and the resume of walking. "I did not need a cheerleader," he notes to Minala.
"What's wrong with cheering?" Minala asks. "You got a key!"
"It's distracting, that's what," Alptraum claims as he clips the key to one of his chest studs for safekeeping. "I guess now I get to see what the next horror will be..."
"Isn't distracting important?" Minala asks as they pass the fence and return to the path. "Hey! It's the path! See? The Path Is Back!"
Alptraum swats Minala for that. "Yes, I do see," he notes, steps back on the path, and resumes walking.
"Oooo, do that again," the sprite says, bending over in midair and wiggling her tiny hiney. The path seems to be going downslope still, possible into a valley between the two mountains.
Alptraum swats Minala right on her tiny backside again, even if it might just encourage her. "Oh look, mountain cleavage," he remarks.
"We're past Loneliness.. so.. uh.. maybe Anger or Regret or something next?" the sprite suggests, zipping ahead to burn away some of the mist. There's sound ahead, a bit like.. thwacking. Like someone is beating a rug to get the dust out.
"Sounds like anger to me," Alptraum admits, ears flicking forward to listen to the sound. He heads towards it, figuring he has to fix something...
There's no fence this time, just gravel. And eventually a figure sitting on a rock, flogging itself with a cat-of-night-tails and muttering, "Coward," over and over. Even from the back, it's clear the figure is large.. and a Skreek.
There's some movement in the mists near it as well. Phantoms, just not hog-phantoms.
"Hey, hey, stop that," Alptraum says as he moves in quick to try and grab the whip away! "Why are you hitting yourself?"
The whipping stops, and the confused Skreek turns to look at Alptraum. It's Otto.. but both old mangled Otto and new repaired Otto. "Who are you?" he asks. "I don't know you. You aren't one of the prisoners.."
"I'm the Barsunala," Alptraum explains quite simply. "And no, I am not here to take you. I just want to know why you are hitting yourself."
"Because I survived, and they didn't," the Skreek says, gesturing to the milling ghosts. Mostly Skreeks themselves.
"Surviving is no reason to blame yourself. What else could you have done? Attacked them and surely died? Or made the lives of those you could afterward a bit better for the time you could. Which is a better outcome?" Alptraum points out as he drapes the whip over his shoulder.
"But.. that isn't why I did it," Otto claims. "I was afraid. I didn't want to die or be beaten again. I was a coward who had to be rescued along with the rest. But.. look at them.." He points again to the ghosts. There aren't a lot of them, maybe a half dozen or so, but they look accusingly at the Skreek.
"So? Everyone has moments of fear. Even those who sit and judge you now, how many of them can claim they haven't done something out of fear?" Alptraum asks, then looks towards the phantoms and arches his eyebrows. "And they had best be honest, because I can make them confess if they try to lie."
The ghosts back away a bit, or look elsewhere for the moment. "I could have done something though," Otto says quietly, and looks at his hands. "I'm big. I could have broken their feet or hurt them enough that they wouldn't be used in the hunts. I could have done something when they would cry in the cells besides just.. stand there and listen. There must have been something I could have done, that I just didn't see or didn't want to risk."
"Could have. Should have. Would have," Alptraum says and shrugs a bit. "What matters is what you do now, not what you did then. You have a chance now to help others and be part of something bigger. And you now understand what many have gone through, which makes it even easier to help them. Perhaps all you should do now, is apologize to them, sincerely, and promise to help others with all you can."
"Why would they forgive me though?" Otto asks. "I don't even have scars from it." He looks out at the ghosts, and seems frightened. "What if they tell me I really am horrible?"
"You don't have physical scars, but you have plenty of emotional ones. Those are far worse," Alptraum points out. "You can also tell them one of your penance has been having to be the sexual release for Yodhgorphat. Many have said that fair is worse than death."
The man stands up, and takes a hesitant step towards the lingering specters. "I'm sorry," he says. "I'm sorry that I couldn't help you. That I didn't help you, somehow. I can't forget you though. Maybe I can do better, given the chance I have now. So.. I don't expect you to forgive me. But if you want to hurt me, you'll have to do it yourselves from now on."
Alptraum walks up behind the rat and places a hand on his shoulder. "Good man," he tells the skreek. "I cannot tell you life will be easy, but it will get better."
The ghosts shuffle about, and begin to fade.. or at least look less accusing. They don't say anything, since this is a dream and it all comes down to Otto's mind. "I never got to thank Nikky for saving me," Otto tells Alptraum. "I don't know how to. I don't have anything to give her, and she doesn't need my help."
"You already thanked her by being her friend," Alptraum claims. "Plus, she really likes big guys and you satisfied her in that way too. She's a simple skreek with simple needs."
"Do you think the High Priestess likes me?" he asks Alptraum, because of course he should know, why not? Otto probably has no idea how the pantheon of the Seven Sisters actually works.
"She lets you milk her and relieve yourself with her body. I think that qualifies as liking you with Yodhgorphat. She has it harder than you, you know. It is her duty to endure the worst Babel has to show others how to survive it," Alptraum points out. "So that anyone that spends time with her is a kindness."
"Oh, so.. she's not just enduring me?" Otto asks. "I've been where she is, I suppose. Doing the worst, dirtiest job. And I was ugly."
"So is she, one of the ugliest Eeee in Babel, by Gotphat's will," Alptraum points out. "And no, she is not just enduring you. She enjoys it. Your large size helps ease some of her discomfort."
"That's good," Otto says. "I want to help. I have to." He scratches his cheek and asks Alptraum, "Why you have a ring through your nose?"
"Because a girl asked me to," Alptraum lies, "and it is a reminder."
"A reminder of what?" Otto asks. At least he doesn't try to grab it.
"Of her, and to help me focus when things are distracting," Alptraum claims.
"I should get a focus," Otto says. "To replace the scars. What do you think?"
"Sure. What are you thinking? Something like this ring? You would need one bigger given your size; almost a hog ring," Alptraum notes. "Or something else? There are more uncomfortable things you could get, but they would interfere with servicing the High Priestess."
"Just something to remind me.. mark me," Otto says, trying to think. "I don't know. A symbol? Gorphat has a symbol, doesn't she?"
"Well, yes. Her mark is the Wound. All her Children and servants bear it," Alptraum explains. "The High Priestess' new acolyte had it carved into her forehead and properly infected so it will scar and glow."
The Skreek rubs his forehead. "If I do that, will Nikky be upset, because she had me all fixed up?" he asks. "Nose ring doesn't get in the way does it?"
"I'm sure she would willingly scar you permanently with a mark of the Wound if you asked the High Priestess," Alptraum notes. "As for if it would bother Nikky? Can't say for certain, but probably not. She enjoyed you when you were scarred worse, correct?"
"And no, the nose ring doesn't get in the way. I've gotten to where I like it," Alptraum admits.
"I guess scarring is free?" Otto asks. "I can't pay for anything. I will try to remember to be scarred.."
"If you want the ring, I imagine the High Priestess would pay for that too, or come up with something useful, like some sort of living shelled parasite that should be placed there," Alptraum says, "I wouldn't worry about the cost of taking on some sort of mark, just talk to her the next time you can."
"I will," Otto says. "You are her brother, aren't you? Or.. cousin?"
"Cousin, sort of," Alptraum notes. "The High Priestess is ... different. She is perverse in many ways, but only in ones that bring her discomfort in honor of her Mother. It makes her ... disgusting, but approachable."
"She seems friendly," Otto mutters. "The new one is still getting used to it, I think."
"I imagine it takes a lot of training to become as pious as the High Priestess," Alptraum says, "But she does bring honor to her Mother wish such piety."
"Nobody told me there was pie and tea involved," Otto says. "I've never had pie, but I've heard of it. Tea.. we make tea out of lots of stuff."
Alptraum pats the skreek's shoulder. "Well, I should be moving on. I have a path to finish walking and you seem to be feeling better. I'll just keep this whip, though. You don't need it," he says.
"Yeah.. thank you, Bar-man," Otto says, and gives Alptraum a hug. If he'll embrace Nicora, he'll probably embrace anyone.
Alptruam returns the hug and even pats the skreek on the back. Then worse, he actually kisses Otto. On the lips, and grins. Well, chalk that up to Eeee. He steps back, then starts down the path again.
"You got a floggy thing!" Minala points out. "Whippety whip whip!" This time she keeps a safe distance though, as the path begins to slope upwards again.. presumably onto Mount Rephath.
Alptraum actually hits himself with it out of curiosity. "Hm, walk up a mountain now. Ugh. Eeee are made to fly, not walk. But ... it's more respectful to walk," he mutters as he ... walks.
"I can fly," Minala says, and does so. The mountain is surprisingly quiet. No moans of torment from dreamers being punished, or military drills.. or anything. Not even animal or weather sounds. The path winds and switchbacks and spirals on upward, until finally there's sound: a stirring of water, up ahead.
Alptraum's ears flick forward. He expected ... more coming up this mountain. But, perhaps his talk with Rephath did get through to her after all. Onward he walks, ears focused on that sound, using that to guide the direction he goes.
The mist actually gets thicker.. and wetter. The path ends at the edge of a large spring. It must be hot or at least warm for this much mist to be coming from it. It isn't quite thick enough to obscure the glint of gold further inward though.
"Aha, those must be Inala's toys," Alptraum says as he soldiers forward, wading right into the spring towards the gold ahead. His wings are still taut, though, should he need to go airborne quick.
There's more noise though.. Alptraum isn't alone in the water. "Who's there?" comes a somewhat gruff female voice.
"Alptraum, the Barsunala," Alptraum calls out.
He can feel ripples hitting him as someone approaches. Rephath is easy to make out by her silhouette before she even arrives - she's built a bit like Blakat, but still has some soft features. In the mist, her white fur and gray hair make her seem part of the vapor. At least she isn't armed, since she's naked. "I was not expecting you to join my bathing," she notes, and then gives Minala an odd.. but unmerciful.. glance.
"I am here on behalf of Inala. She wishes her restraints returned," Alptraum says, it's always good to be honest, particularly with Rephath. "Not that it isn't nice to see you as well; we rarely talk. But ... you are not generally the type for small talk."
"Follow me then," Rephath says, with a slight grump to her voice. She plows on through the water towards the golden glint.
"So, how have you been?" Alptraum asks as he follows behind Repath. He only looks at her butt a few times while walking at least.
"Busy, as always," Rephath claims. "Unlike some of my Sisters, I cannot lounge about. This bath is the only relaxation I allow myself, when I can. It isn't very effective, admittedly. And yes, her butt flexes a bit. Probably capable of cracking walnuts.
Alptraum actually dares to pat her shoulder. "Some of your Sisters do not lay about. Sunala and Gorphat are both surprisingly busy these days," he notes kindly. "Granted, they keep me busy too."
They reach the central island, which has a lot of pillories and posts.. and what might be a guillotine. The golden chains and manacles hang from one of the posts. "What does Inala need with restraints, anyway?" Rephath asks.
"She wasn't specific other than she wants them to be used for their intended use for pleasurable torture," Alptraum says, "Not sure who she intends to use them on. How do they even work?"
"Pleasure?" Rephath asks, and then laughs. The manacles look normal, but the key that rests in one of the locks is made of red-colored stone. "Ridiculous!" the goddess claims.
"You don't even know how to relax, so what would you know about it?" Minala chides.. from a safe distance.
Alptraum actually dares to touch them. "Well, it is what she said, so I am here," he notes. "You could possibly ask Inala to demonstrate on you with them if you are uncertain they can be used as such."
Rephath raises an eyebrow at the suggestion, and then plucks out the red key. The manacles seem to shrink a bit from that, becoming more decorative looking than solid. "I would not trust my Sister," Rephath declares. "So you do it, Barsunala. You I trust."
"Wait. You want me to put them on you?" Alptraum inquires, just to be sure, as he picks up the manacles.
The goddess offers her wrists, and grins. "Why not? I do not believe anything will happen," she claims.
So, Alptraum tries to open the manacles and put them around each of Repath's wrists. "Better her than me, I suppose," he thinks.
The slender bands click into place, and then the chain connecting them sprouts new links. A second set of shackles appears and binds Rephath's ankles next. Then the goddess floats up off the ground, and her limbs are spread wide - despite her obviously trying to resist. "Ah! I do not see how this is supposed to be pleasant!" Rephath grumbles.
Minala lands on Alptraum's shoulder, and whispers to him, "While she floats, you can put her into any position.. and I bet she will like the flail, if you are gentle enough.."
"Well, it is supposed to expose you so that others can do things to you," Alptraum says after looking her over. He unclips the key he got earlier and offers, "I can let you down if you wish. I'm not about to do something to make you angry."
"And let Inala claim I was afraid to see things through?" Rephath scoffs. "I am here to relax. So if Inala's toy is truly about pleasure, then it should relax me, yes? And if it does not.. then Inala is not all she claims to be!"
"Just remember that you turned down the offer," Alptraum says as he clips the key back somewhere on his body. He then goes over to Rephath and does, in fact, pose her around a bit so she's bending over at her waist, arms and legs spread as if she is to be frisked. That's where the whip comes in, as he actually brings it lightly across her backside ... and feeling rather strange the entire time.
The hard muscles twitch. "What was that, a gentle breeze?" Rephath claims.
So, Alptraum hits harder. A lot harder. She did taunt for it, after all.
"I bet Blakat would appreciate this," Minala claims. With the harder stroke, there is a grunt from Rephath, and some brief furrows in the fur.
"I felt that," Rephath notes, in a matter-of-fact way. "Interesting. I have never been whipped before.."
Alptraum does it again, then again. On her backside, then her back between her wings. "I've never actually done this before," he admits, "Do you actually like it?"
"It is.. different," Rephath admits. "I do not usually feel pain. It is.. somewhat exhilarating.." From where Alptraum stands, the signs of growing arousal in the goddess are pretty obvious, given the view.
And so that's exactly where the next whip blow lands, right across the starting puffiness. He knows somewhat how that would feel, as Nicora. Ouch.
"Agh!" Rephath barks. "Do not stop.." she follows up with.
And so ... Alptraum keeps using the nine tails. The blows land here and there; across her legs, back, backside, and even between her legs with rather regularity. "I can't believe she likes this..." he thinks.
Now the goddess is moaning a bit. She doesn't look relaxed yet, so much as very aroused. Minala points this out to Alptraum.. by hovering over Rephath's rear and pointing. "Hey! Look! She's ready! Gotta make her blow before she'll calm down, right? RIGHT?"
The whip is set aside and the bat kneels down. It's an interesting angle to see Rephath from, and it with her exposed, he kisses her like he kissed Trystle earlier; only it's significantly rougher and more forceful. And boy is his tongue long if he really stretches it.
The goddess isn't completely immobilized. And Alptraum nearly gets his nose captured by clenching cheeks. It's also good that his tongue doesn't have bones in it. "It must be harder!" Rephath calls out. "I must feel it!"
And Alptraum annoyingly keeps up the kiss longer to push the level of frustration. He does eventually relent as he stands up and drapes himself over her back. Keeping up with rough, he actually bites down on her shoulder; not to drink, just to bite. Then with a careful thrust, a hater part of himself becomes part of her, studding and all.
The goddess hisses. Alptraum feel the muscles of her back flex against his own chest and stomach.. and certainly feel her squeeze him. "I need to feel you slapping me," she says. It comes off a bit like an order, more than a request.
Alptraum bites down harder. His arms wrapped about her grip and claw ad her stomach, while one sharp claw actually digs a bit into her version of Inala's orb. It's then that his movement of hip becomes aggressive and hard as he fulfills her command!
This is where all those sessions with Vorgulremik pay off. Alptraum knows how to be rough (or at least what it's like to be on the receiving end). It takes a lot to get through to Rephath, who is so hard herself - whether form her build or just tension. She growls and hisses like a beast, but it's difficult to tell how far along she is.
Alptraum tries growling back at her in response around one of the many places he has managed to bite her. She has quite a few bite marks by now, in fact. And indeed, he tries to act like Vorgulremik as he takes the Goddess, clawing, pressure, biting, cuts, and very hard hip movements. He may not be able to tell how far along she is, but he imagines when she does .. relax, it'll be an explosive decompression.
There's a very loud shout from Rephath eventually, and a shudder that rattles the chains. The spasm is certainly felt by Alptraum! It goes on for a full minute, before the Eeee woman finally begins to.. soften. Maybe it was all tension.
And Alptraum keeps it up! He's not about to let her get away quite yet. Not until he can finally decompress himself now that he's not on command. When his time comes, it's a loud growl, then a relaxing series of shudders. Afterward, he sort of slides off and falls into a heap on the ground.
It's an odd perspective, but at least now Alptraum can see Rephath's face again. She seems.. peaceful looking? "You can release me now," she says, in a very calm voice.
"I can, but I wonder if I should," Alptraum says as he slowly sits up and takes a moment to 'unmuss' his hair.
"Do not spoil my peaceful moment," Rephath says, by way of warning.
Alptraum tries to use the key he got early to unlock the manacles and get them off her.
The key clicks, and the manacles come undone and flow back into a single pair again. Rephath gets to her feet and stretches. She's got a lot of red welts, bite marks and scratches showing through the thin white fur - but for a moment she looks almost like Inala.
Alptraum then collects the cuffs and drapes them over his shoulder. "If I didn't know better, I would think you enjoyed that," he teases a bit lightly. "And I think you need a bath again."
Rephath turns.. and grabs Alptraum. He's pulled into a deep kiss (as Repath is only an inch or so taller than him) and also gets a strong hand squeezing his behind. "Yes, a bath," Rephath says once she breaks the kiss. "And a massage. And then, more sex, while I am relaxed. It is you I will attribute the pleasure to, and not Inala. You will help me relax in the future, will you not?"
"Is that a request that I keep these manacles?" Alptraum says in a squeaky, surprised, voice after the rather forceful kiss. He's also blinking a lot.
"Perhaps," Rephath says. "Next time, I may use them on you though," she notes with a grin just like her more sensual Sister uses.
Minala flits about, waving her pom-poms behind Rephath.. but at least keeping quiet about it.
"That scares me. A lot. You're ... rough," Alptraum says quite plainly. "But yes, I can try to keep you relaxed when I can. I er ... lets just see to that bath and how things go. And be careful, I break easier than you do." "Dagh take it, this is going to get me into more trouble. Gorphat will be mad and that means Nicora will suffer," he thinks grimly. And worse ... Nicora does need to make an appearance back at the Temple, she cannot be gone for long; she has an acolyte to tend to.