In the hours before dawn, most of those residing in Hortus Tower are asleep. Trystle noisily so.. which makes it all the easier for Boartraum to slip out of her room. He knows that the girl brought in the new sow before going to sleep, and that by now it'll be up in the shrine, with Persal (and possibly Lester). A barely perceptible tingle in his right forearm signals the readiness of the dryad soul that is the key to the plan to deny the enemy further use of Gol-Sotot.
And on the way to the shrine room, the hog ducks into a vacant room so that he can shift back to just being Alptraum since he needs to be relatively normal to do what is planned for the sow. Darkness swallows him and hooves are replaced by useful hands. Though Gorphat might argue hands aren't needed, given she made it so Scourge has no useful appendages save tongue and tail. But when the shadow does withdraw, it leaves a relatively normal-looking Eeee in its wake, just one clothed in living shadow after all. "Better. Being an animal is fun for a while, but there are times I miss being a bit more ... useful," he mutters as he slips out of the side room to finish the trek to the shrine.
The sow is there, tethered to a feeding trough.. but looking drowsy. Lester the Naga has a tight grip on her nose-ring leash, while Persal is busy preparing a coffin, most likely for transporting his wife's body. Due to the nature of the shadow cloak, neither man really notices Alptraum until he makes his presence known. Then Lester clutches at his chest and the color drains from his.. tongue.
"If I were here on business involving you," Alptraum notes to Lester, "You wouldn't have time to feel fear." He goes over to the sow and crouches down to examine her up close. "Drugged?" he inquires.
"Only with wine," Persal notes. "We weren't going to be taking it with us, so I thought we should use it up. Given her weight, it should wear off by morning."
"Wine isn't good for pregnant women, you know," Alptraum notes, arching his brow. He places his right hand upon the sow. To those watching, night itself seems to ooze out and slowly engulf the hog. To Alptraum ... he's just planning on kenning the hog and making sure that it is okay.
Based on other hogs, it seems normal. What isn't normal is the way the kenning proceeds. He's never done this with a pregnant creature before - but the process only works on one creature at a time. So he gets the sow, but not the litter she carries. It hints that his own transformations use a different mechanism, since they do include.. well, parasites.. associated with each form.
Alptraum withdraws the shadow and shakes out his right hand. "She seems normal enough," he says, "And should be satisfactory for the intended purpose." He walks around until he's behind the hog now and sighs softly. "And this is a part I do not particularly care for. I have to touch the litter, which means that I have to reach into her. Can't say I have ever done this before."
"It is not that.." Persal starts to say, before noticing the condition of Alptraum's flayed-looking (and sometimes thorny) appendage. "Perhaps you should wrap it first," he suggests. "To prevent unintended lacerations."
Alptraum flexes his hand and shadow oozes out to make his entire right arm completely smooth, like a glove. "Unnecessary," he notes with a smirk.
That just leaves.. reaching in. The sow is big.. so may need to go in to the elbow at least.
"At least you don't have to push anything in," Persal notes helpfully.
Alptraum is now at least very familiar with female anatomy, having had many versions of it himself. So, he's also gentle. Fingers are kept together, narrow, and he places the tips gently against the hog's birthing passage. From there it is slow and steady pressure as he tries to push his arm gently into her ... and hoping she won't kick or fight back!
The hog grunts, but seems relaxed. The only obstacle Alptraum encounters.. is an actual obstacle, in the form of a cervical plug.
"So far, so good," Alptraum murmurs. He takes a deep breath and focuses. Now he tries to extend the shadow over and around the plug so that he can pull it loose without damage ... and be able to put it back afterward! So, he'll take this slow and steady to draw it back and to the side using a shadow 'grip'.
It comes loose, and the rest of his arm keeps things from sloshing out. It'll still be a tight fit, since the sow isn't exactly dilated. But then, he only has to be able to touch one of the litter, and just a claw should be enough.
"Just remember, you've gone through this. You've had a uterus and held children in it. It isn't weird at all," Alptraum thinks to himself as he points his fingers again and starts trying to work his hand gently past the cervix so that he can touch one of the piglets.
He almost immediately pokes something soft. It feels alive too, which is good.
Alptraum pauses and takes a breath. Now he spreads his fingers a put until the fingertips can touch the soft, moving, thing. That's when he withdraws the shadow a bit to expose his claw tips so that they can come in contact with it.
There's an almost electric surge connecting the tip of his claw to the tip of the dagger embedded within his arm. It only lasts a few moments, but that should be enough. One of the piglets should now be host to a tree spirit. And.. there's no explosion. He probably should have warned the others about that possibility.. but everything seems fine.
Alptraum draws his hand back and out of the hog's cervix. There he pauses to put the plug back and make sure it is once more sealed. Only once that is satisfied will he withdraw his hand the rest of the way. "Good, she didn't explode. There was a small risk of that," he tells those gathered now.
"The expressions you made were frightening enough," Lester says. "And.. what was that thing you did first? It looked like your hand was swallowing the pig."
"Various things. I could have consumed the pig in its entirety. But, all I did was learn about it utterly. To the point I could take on its form if I needed to," Alptraum notes. "I should probably mention I am a shape shifter. I can become virtually anything."
"Even a person?" Persal asks, standing up a little straighter.
"I've been many. You might have met me before and not known it," Alptraum notes ominously.
"Could you be me?" Persal asks next.
"I could look like you. Only you can be you," Alptraum notes as he shakes off his slimy right hand.
"In that case, would you be willing to imitate me for the final.. transaction?" Persal asks. "It would make it easier for me and my family to escape if they thought you were me."
"And here you dash my hopes of pretending to be a hog and go with you," Alptraum laments and sighs. "But yes, I could do that. It will require me kenning you, though. It feels like being licked from the inside out."
"Is that as disturbing as it sounds?" the man asks.
"Actually, it feels better than sex," Alptraum admits.
"Yes, that sounds disturbing then," the old man notes with a chuckle. "But.. you are the Little Death, are you not? So it is appropriate in that sense. What do I need to do?"
"Are you comfortable with me knowing everything about you down to what fungus you might have between your toes?" Alptraum asks with a smirk. "IF you are, you just need to sit and relax. I do the rest."
Persal takes a breath, and sits down.. on the coffin. "I don't know everything about myself," he says. "All I ask is that you don't tell me of any fatal conditions I have. I know that I'm old."
"I could fix them," Alptraum points out.
"To an extent anyway," he adds.
The man pats the coffin, and says, "Why bother? I have children. They are my future. The only future that matters."
"Just noting it. I have a great many abilities," Alptraum says and shrugs. "I could be quite the monster if I chose to be." He goes over and sits on the coffin too so he can focus during the examination.
"Mind the left foot, the ankle is a bit loose and will turn on you if you are not careful," Persal warns.
Alptraum reaches over and places his hand upon the center of his chest. "It is for your children I spared you. Well, and for your wife. You may find this hard to believe, but I too know love, and have someone that I love that there is little I would not do for her," he adds as he relaxes and lets the shadow out. First to engulf and ken him ... then back on himself so he can apply the shape of the old man back to his own body (but with minor fixes like better ankles, possibly!)
There are some things that don't transfer, like old bone fractures and injuries. Alptraum doesn't sense much internal change at all, really. But externally.. there is some discomfort in making a young man appear elderly. The dulling of senses is one of them - but after going through Gorphat's training with Nicora, that hardly seems an issue at all now. His strength is lessened though, since there's just less muscle available.. and his butt feels oddly flat.
"It's right about now that the person I copy tends to feel a bit weirded out," Pestraum remarks a bit dryly as eh stretches a bit, making sure everything works okay. "And for an old body, this is not hat bad; I've held much worse forms."
"I have never seen myself like this before," Persal says, and works his tongue around as if there's an odd taste in his mouth. "The rest was.. memorable."
"Most people tend to like that," Perstraum points out. "It is surprising what can be enjoyable with the right mindset."
"You'll need some of my clothes," the real Persal notes. "It was never made clear to me if I am meant to accompany the final shipment or not. Only that I would be rewarded then, and the possibility of further opportunities would be discussed."
"What I expect them to do, is attempt to kill you, or turn you into an undead vampire," Alptraum notes a bit grimly. "Rarely are rewards from such people rewards. Please send someone to get me some of your clothing and we will bring the final stage of this debacle to a close. Also, you are welcome at Mount Sunala; they are aware you are coming with your children, and you have been forgiven for your anger. They will make you and your children as comfortable as they can."
"Thank you, Barsunala," Persal says, standing and bowing. "I will bring you clothes, while Lester prepares my wife's casket for travel."
"And I will just ... wait. I do that a lot," Perstraum admits.
The old man leaves, and the Naga goes about securing the latches on the travel-coffin, and binding it in leather straps. All while trying not to look at Perstraum. He finally has to ask, "Will I be in trouble with the Yodhsssunala for taking the babiess?"
"In normal circumstances, yes," Perstraum says honestly, "But since you have been aiding in topping the General and have made an honest apology it will be forgiven. Just ... do not do it again."
"I don't want to do it again," the man claims. "I don't mind digging gravess though."
When Persal returns, he brings a somewhat formal looking outfit with him, complete with family crest. "I've worn this before when dealing with their emissary," he tells Perstraum.
"Which emissary have you dealt with?" Perstraum asks as he takes the clothing. Then without any shame he absorbs the shadow-clothing, leaving himself naked. The bat then begins to dress. "And what specific agreement terms should I know for this in case they inquire?"
"It was a woman, but now I do not know if she was alive or animated," Persal says. "The offer was 500 gold shekels. They knew about Trystle's gift, and suggested the scheme. Twenty stillborn twins. She did not give me her name, but provided 50 gold as a deposit."
"If they do give me the money, what will you do with it?" Perstraum inquires as he works on the formal attire ties and cinches.
"I do not know," the man admits. "Perhaps I could return to this tower and rebuild it. There is much to rebuild. But.. the money is tainted. Who knows? Maybe a mage could identify who it came into contact with."
"My suggestion would be to do good things with it. If you do rebuild the tower, make it a place others can stay, such as a hostel. Or, help fund a clinic for the poor. There is justice in using the money of those who are evil to do good things," Perstraum suggests.
"I will do so, should the opportunity arise," Persal promises. "Unless their goal was to make into a slave, in which case I doubt there would be money at all."
"IF they do intend to make you a slave, I may ... allow it. Well, in terms of taking me. It would get me into their lair where I could do a bit of damage before departing," Perstraum notes with an old-man smirk.
"The pick-up is at dawn," Persal says. "It is always the pair of Nagas with a wagon. I do not know their names.. they are not inclined towards familiarity. So you should have little trouble convincing them that you are me."
"I am a good actor, I have no fear of that," Perstraum notes. "I have risked much for you on this, I hope you prove to be worth it."
"I am not worth it," Persal claims. "My children and.. other family.." and here he pats Lester on the shoulder, "are more than worth it."
"I would likely say the same about my own family," Perstraum notes.
"Then we understand one another," Persal says and nods. "Will you need help getting the sow to obey you?" The sow in question is still dozing.
"Unlikely," Perstraum notes as he looks down at the hog. "I have my ways if it comes to requiring forcible control. It must seem odd to you that a demi-god would be wary of using all the abilities he has, but such is a necessity to avoid corruption."
"I don't expect gods to do much work themselves," Persal notes. "What good is it to be a deity if you can't have your followers take care of things for you?"
"Ah, but who follows those who do not now and then demonstrate that they should be?" Perstraum counters. "But, enough chatter. You have your family to collect and prepare to move. I have a hog to deliver. We will meet again. Everyone meets me eventually, after all."
"I hope when that day comes, you can reunite me with my wife," Persal says. Lester picks up the coffin, and the two slink out of the chamber.
"Such will be," Perstraum claims. The old Eeee then reaches down and takes hold of the hog's nose ring. "Come along. I know this is a bit of a reverse date; sex first, then out onthe town, but such times require such measures." He still has an odd sense of humor.
The air is chill and the sun just peeking over the top of a sacred mountain when the wagon arrives. The Nagas are bundled up for warmth (since putting a stove in a wooden wagon wouldn't be very practical) as they guide the dray into the area. The smaller one waves to Perstraum and slithers towards him. "ThiSs iS the fInal one?" he hisses.
"Yes," Perstraum says, tone grumbly and a bit annoyed as he pulls the crested cloak about himself for warmth. "I am glad to be done with it. Have you brought final payment?"
"We do not Have it," the serpent says. "You are to Come with uSs.. with the Sssow."
Perstraum's brow arches a bit. "Fine. If it must be done, then so be it," he says. "Let us get going. I wish to be done with this affair."
The sow is loaded, and Perstraum given the seat next to the smaller Naga, while the big one sits with the hog. Neither says anything as the wagon begins to move - but Perstraum feels a slight presence. Scourge would be able to pick it out more clearly, but Perstraum also has ears. And while they may be dulled by age, they are still a hundred times sharper than those of a Naga - and he definitely hears a single wingbeat, but one softened by feathers. So Tulani is probably shadowing them.
Perstraum pulls his cloak tight to fend off the cold from the old-appearing body. "Good, Tulani will be keeping an eye on me. Not that I need it, but ... allies are always welcome," he thinks as he settles in for a hopefully quiet ride. It'll give him plenty of time to think of all the horrible things that might be waiting for him.
The trip isn't much different than expected. The Nagas hand the wagon off to another group with another dray animal. Nobody tries to talk to Perstraum, or offer him food or drink. They only seem to care about getting to the next hand-off. Hours later they arrive at the final stop, the old ruin overlooking the Valley of Mists. Two soldiers approach from the haze. "You are Persal Hortus?" the taller one asks.
"Of course," Perstraum replies a bit gruffly. He doesn't look as if he particularly wishes to climb off the cart; but at his age can anyone blame him. "Are you the ones to finish the contract with my House?"
"We are to escort you," the soldier notes, sounding a bit hollow.. or having a sore throat at least. "We know naught of your contract. Can you walk?"
Perstraum's brow arches slightly as he climbs down from the wagon. It's slow as to be expected from an old man, but he is able to do it. "I may be old, but I am quite capable of walking," he remarks dryly.
"Have you eaten today?" is the next odd question.
"No, it is too early. Why do you ask?" Perstraum inquires.
"It is best to have an empty stomach on your first visit to the Mists," the man explains. His partner goes to collect the sow, and feeds her a ball of bread that is probably drugged.
"I do not remember agreeing to enter this accursed place. Can you not pay me now so that this business is concluded? I have fulfilled my part of the deal," Perstraum says.
"We are to bring you," the soldier notes. "Your reward awaits your arrival."
"It had better," Perstraum grumbles as he pulls the cloak tight again for warmth.
They move slowly, in deference to the age of their guest. And it's a good thing too - the Mists were strange enough for Scourge, but apparently its senses were not all that distorted. For Perstraum, it is incredibly disorienting. Nothing seems solid, the ground beyond the path appearing to ebb and flow like water. And ever swirl of the mist itself swirls the view of whatever is behind it. Sound is also distorted, seemingly randomly amplified or hushed. It is vertigo inducing, even for a species that is fundamentally incapable of feeling vertigo in the first place.
Nicora-training helps here; it is best to focus inward and ignore the chaos of the senses and let it all sort of blur together; it makes it a bit less disorienting. "I hope I am not damaging myself by being in here in this form," he thinks as he walks along with the guards. "Who will be meeting us?" he asks the guards, probably to break the monotony of walking.
"We are to take you on to the citadel, after delivering the shipment," the soldier in charge notes. "Whomever you are to meet will meet you there." He also turns to look at Perstraum, and notes, "A single visit to the Mists will not endanger you, so long as you do not stray from the marked path." They're already approaching the fork that will take them to the tree.
"I did not agree to come to some fortress, unprotected," the old man says, "But it seems I have little choice. I wish to bring this matter to a close."
"We are here to protect you," the soldier points out, as they turn to the side path..
As they approach the figure under the tree, it speaks. "Who approaches Gol-Sotot, the Tree of Turnings, the Roots of Unlife?"
As before, the soldier replies with, "We bring fresh Soul Empty Ones for the glory of Gol-Sotot." With that, the other soldier leads the sow closer, while there is rustling above.
And Perstraum backs up several paces. This might go really badly really quickly. He had best be ready to defend himself.
The Guardian places its hand on the sow's head, as vines drop down from above. "These are.." the figure begins to say, then stops. The vines continue to snake about, however.
"The best available," Pestraum grumbles, "Be done with this horror; I made no such agreements to treatise with creatures such as this."
The two soldiers look at each other, and the leader asks, "Is there something wr-AAAAGH!" He sinks into the ground to his knees, and his scream barely covers the crunch. The man sinks to his waist, and there is another crunch. He stops screaming well before his head vanishes into the wooden mouth that opened beneath him. The other soldier is frozen in place.
Perstraum backs up even faster, as fast as the older body will move! "Didn't expect that," he thinks to himself. "Come on, grab the pig so the transfer can be complete..."
The whole tree.. which means the sky and ground, effectively, begins to shudder. "These are.." the guardian repeats, but its voice is changing now. Becoming more feminine.
Vines and twigs sprout from the Guardian's fingers, digging their way into the hog's flesh.. without drawing blood or disturbing the animal in any way.
"Whew! The nymph is taking control. Good. I don't have to ... blow my cover and start killing. Not sure my cover is remotely intact at this point, but until I know for sure I cannot risk it," the fake-old Eeee thinks, wings twitching as if he wishes to go airborne.
The second soldier finally panics and tries to bolt, only to be knocked down by a falling body - one of the Lost. A second falls a moment later, landing with a thud, as the tree twists and its vines writhe.
"This is something out of a nightmare yet again, a tree of falling dead bodies. I suppose appropriate, the dead are over-ripe," Perstraum thinks a bit grimly. Humor helps in dealing with horrors. He moves forward a bit now, to check on the soldier that was just beaned by an Eee-sized beanpod.
The man is conscious, but dazed. The pod is also splitting open now, while the tree itself begins to calm down. "So many seedlings," the Guardian says, it's voice now more like the dryad's. "Hidden away.. surrounded by stone.."
Perstraum crouches down to examine the man and if he seems worth saving at all, or completely gone. "How many and where?" he asks of the tree.
The Guardian's cowl falls back, showing the green hair and skin of the nymph, now being clothed in vines. "One far off, barely felt," she says. "The others.. a score of them.. no, more.. closer. And these new ones here. It is time to bloom, my children.."
The pods continue to rip open, and the figures inside of them move. One stands and raises its arms upwards, while the one that fell on the soldier, pulls him up with her in an embrace. "No.." the man pleads..
"I am not sure blooming is a good idea," Perstraum tells the Nymph. "Please ... do not do that."
"This is not how they should be," the nymph claims. The one with outstretched arms continues to stretch.. her flesh becoming wood as she literally turns into a tree. But it's a rather ordinary looking tree instead of a monster tree.
"The Yodhsunala might not like a tree growing in the cellar," Perstraum thinks a bit grimly. "Some may not be in places that would be good for a tree to grow," he notes politely.
"Then they will move," the nymph declares. The second Lost is already transforming as well, with the soldier being tangled in her branches. "There is resistance.." the nymph notes, and turns to look deeper into the Mists, towards the ancient fortress. From that same direction comes the sound of breaking stone. Given the odd way sound travels it could be coming from far away and still sound close.
"Are they really breaking the General's fortress? This will ... piss her off," Perstraum remarks mostly to himself. His ears focus in that direction too.
"Caverns of stone, chains.. they cannot stop my saplings," the dryad claims, and there are more sounds of destruction. It does sound like part of the fortress may have collapsed, especially if the underground spaces were breached.
Perstraum rubs his forehead a bit. He's grateful he just delivered a major blow to the General's fortress ... but he is also worried what sort of retribution she will now seek. She will know it was him, after all.
"I know you," the dryad says, and gestures for Perstraum to come closer.
Perstraum moves closer to the Dryad. "Don't get any ideas," he warns.
"I only want to give you a kiss, while I still can," the tree-spirit claims.
Perstraum is dubious of this, but he moves in closer anyway. She hasn't threatened him here, or within the dagger after all.
She holds her arms out, though her feet are firmly anchored in an exposed root. "You have given me a wonderful death," she tells him. "As befits your nature! And I will take some of this power with me into my next life, I think. Time grows short; claim your reward."
Perstraum ... isn't sure he knows how to feel about this. He didn't plan to kill the dryad. He thought she would live here. Knowing she'll now die actually makes him feel a bit ... crappy. But, if all he can do now is hiss her, he moves in to hug her and kiss her ... even if it means lip splinters.
It's a nice kiss, a genuine one. Nothing magical or strange at all. When it breaks, the dryad says, "The life force of this tree is strange and dark. I will use it up, and then be free. Plant a tree for me someday, and I might inhabit it. For now.. it is best that you flee this area."
"This place is safe for no one," Perstraum says in agreement. "I'm tired of goodbyes, you know, but it is something that will be always part of living. So, goodbye," he says to the tree as he steps back and bows slightly. The Eeee then moves quickly away from the tree, though he isn't going to go too far; he just needs a hiding place to shift to Scourge; that form can deal better with the things in this place.
"Do not mourn me, Psychopomp," the dryad says, as the tree's roots begin to heave themselves free of the ground. "I was dead ages before you met me." The great tree is shaking violently as it uproots itself, and more vines and branches descent from the canopy, growing thorns like axe-heads. The sow squeals and runs over towards Perstraum. The safest place to shift is probably outside of the bowl.
And outside of the bowl Perstraum runs! Well, as fast as he can run in this body after all; it has seen a lot of use after all. He also tries to pull the sow along too if he can. IF not, well, the sow is on its own.
The hog is certainly sober now, and likely to outrun the Eeee. He just needs to keep her on the path.. in which case he could ride her out.
Once Perstraum is out of the bowl, the Eeee drops to all fours and closes his eyes. He pushes hard on the shadow to engulf his body, strip him of all gender, and make him fully into Gorphat's 'Pet Fungus".
Out here in the Mists.. it's almost too easy. Although the effect on Persal's suit is a bit terminal. And once Scourge is complete.. it's also much easier to keep track of what is happening, even without turning around. Gol-Sotot is marching towards the fortress, leaving a path of destruction and adding to the chaos. And laughing maniacally.
"Yes, the general will be pissed," Scourge thinks as it bounds after the hog! In fact, it plans to pounce on the hog and ride it the rest of the way out! It's a good distraction to the odd feeling it always has when it becomes this ... thing.
The hog barely seems to notice.. and with a dose of spores becomes a lot easier to steer. And while vegetable vengeance is wreaked in the distance, the pair burst through the mists: a strange black dragon-creature with spread wings and raised tail riding atop a crazed pig. And of course, Tulani is there to see it.
Not to mention it has to use its long multi-part tongue to hold onto the hod on the way out! "I have got to be the biggest freak alive in this world," Scourge thinks as it rodeos the hog to get out of the mists.
The Sphynx takes to the air to catch up. "How far do we have to run?" she calls. "Is anything after you?"
"Nothing is after me," Scourge says, somehow, around its tongue. "I just want to get out of the mists and let this hog go. The General will be too busy in dealing with a crazed tree golem to worry about us."
The sow runs out of steam when they reach the ruined watchtower, and flumphs down into the dirt.
Scourge rolls off of it and sits upright. It even goes to try and sniff itself, then draws to a stop. "I always forget I do not have a nose," it thinks in a mental grumble. "There, that is finally over with. No more hog for me," it says.
"What about this hog?" Tulani asks as she lands next to Scourge. "Just let it run wild?"
Scourge looks towards it. "No," it says with a sigh, "It should be taken to Mount Sunala and given to Trystle."
"I can't carry something that big," Tulani notes. "We'll have to walk it there."
"We do? I need to go check on the acolyte at Mount Gorphat soon. I worry about her," Scourge admits. Its tail forks apart and it uses those tail bits to take hold of the hog's nose ring. "So, lets get walking then."
"Is everything dealt with then, regarding Hortus?" Tulani asks. "I can lead the pig if you want to check back at the Temple of Gorphat."
"I believe it is. He unfortunately is not getting the money; a shame as they could have used it for good things. As for the hog, I can help you get the hog to the Temple of Sunala. It is under my control after all," Scourge notes. "One of these days I will have to put you under my control, then use the tentacles on you."
"Tentacles?" Tulani asks, one white eyebrow raised.
Scourge waggles its split apart tongue at Tulani. "I cannot enjoy sex, but you still can," it notes.
"But half the fun is sharing," the Sphynx points out as they start along the old road. "How is the new Greenie doing, anyway?"
"It is pretty hard on her," Scourge admits, "And she isn't even getting close to the induction Nicora did."
"I suppose it comes down to motivation," Tulani says. "I mean.. her name says it all really."
"True enough, I suppose. The real test will come when she has to birth her own horrib pets," Scourge notes. "If she can manage through that, she can endure anything."
"Endure, sure... but you embraced it all," Tulani points out.
"Well, embracing it took a while. I was pretty horrified in the beginning," Scourge points out. "Embracing it is what made it ... easier."
"You need to get her to embrace it though," Tulani says, and pats one of Scourge's head-tendrils. "Do you need to break her to do that?"
"Being pregnant actually does help a bit. The hormones that get released help you ... enjoy the experience," Scourge claims. "It just ends with horrible fangy grubs crawling out of areas that shouldn't have fangy grubs is all."
"Well.. hopefully it won't be quite like that for Phlagaea and Rosalind," Tulani notes with a grin. "We should be to Mt. Sunala by nightfall. Do want to stop and eat along the way?"
"No need. I do not need to eat in this form," Scourge points out, "Well, other than nesting in unpleasant things. But, I do not think it will be needed."
"Really? I sort of miss getting bitten," Tulani says.
"No teeth in this form," Scourge points out and opens its jaws to show as much.
"Well.. in this form you'd probably want to lick my.. uh.. let's not go there," the Sphynx notes.
"I can bite you later, after the hog is dropped off and I'm comfortable that the acolyte is doing okay. The High Priestess has been gone for a few days after all, and that will cause a stir," Scourge also points out. It also adds, "With this tongue I can lick just about every part of you at the same time." That probably doesn't help, but it will likely give her some really bad mental images!
There is some commotion atop Mt. Sunala when the trio arrives. It isn't a noisy one, however - just a long line of pilgrims, being ushered towards an area that pilgrims generally don't visit.. near the catacombs where the Preventers used to work.
"There is probably a tree in there now," Scourge whispers to Tulani. "The tree in the mists made all the bodies sprout after I gave it the dryad soul."
"A tree inside part of the Temple?" Tulani asks, sounding worried. She also asks, "And are you gonna change or stay all Scourgy?"
"This form is easiest to travel in and no one bothers it," Scourge says honestly. "I won't be here that long to offend anyone."
"Let's go around the back way though," Tulani says. "Avoid the crowds. Do you know where to find your hog-mistress?"
"They should be in the refugee section," Scourge replies. And there's the other reason he isn't shifting to Alptraum; he doesn't want to give Trystle any ideas.
"I guess you can suss her out, right?" Tulani asks as the veer around towards the back of the Temple. There's a tingle as they pass a certain point, but nothing else happens beyond Tulani's tail poofing out a bit.
"I should be able to find her that way, yes," Scourge agrees as it starts trying to listen and sniff through the various minds, so to speak. Another reminder to Scourge how alien it is, is when it starts searching and feeling the minds of those present.
The sow snorts, just as Scourge seems to sense a familiar glow. Trystle is.. over by where the tree likely sprouted, along with everyone else.
There's no way to not scare the crap out of someone in this body, so Scourge doesn't even try to hide itself. Instead, it follows that glow with the hog in tow. When it spots Trystle, it will walk right up to her and 'nose' her right in the back.
People do make way for Scourge, with whispers of "Is that Gorphat's dragon or Sunala's?" usually. There's a reverent mood in the air. As they reach the center of the cluster, Scourge can see that the Lost in Razaka's care did get outside before blooming (which means there's probably a very pissed off Chief Preventer somewhere nearby). What is more of a surprise is that she bloomed into an apple tree. One with black bark and white leaves and silver apples, which everyone seems to think is some kind of divine miracle. It certainly has attention back on Sunala instead of Rinala for the moment. Even Trystle is there, looking up at the shiny fruit... and keeping her distance as well. She's pretty mesmerized, so coming up behind her is easy.
"I'm sure Razaka will blame me for the tree. I swear if she yells at me, though, I'm going to bring the proverbial hammer down upon her and get her to show me a little respect," Scourge thinks. Spotting Trystle at least distracts from that line of thought. So, he walks up behind her ... and so the scrawny Eeee girl gets a squishy 'nose' right into her backside.
"Hey, watch it," she says, before turning.. and then looking down. She doesn't seem frightened by Scourge though. "Wow, what are you?" she asks, and immediately begins petting its head.
"Gorphat's pet. I'm called Scourge," Scourge replies. It is slightly disappointed it didn't get any surprise at all out of the girl! It tugs its tail, pulling the sow forward and around it so that Trystle can see it too. "I understand you like hogs. I have a pregnant sow here that could use someone to take care of it. It has had a hard day," Scourge claims.
Trystle's eyes go wide when Scourge talks, and she covers her mouth and looks around to see if anyone else heard it. "Of course I'll take care of her," she promises, a bit muffled because of her hands. "You can talk. Really talk, not just animal talk?"
"Yes, I can talk. In several languages, in fact," Scourge remarks, switches and says hello in Sylvanian, then rolls its shoulders a bit. "Most people don't like a visit by Gorphat's disease dragon," he notes.
"Disease?" the girl asks, still covering her mouth and nose. "What disease? Are you here because Gorphat is going to bless our family?"
"Why are you covering your nose and mouth?" Scourge has to ask. "And no, I am not here to bless your family. I was asked by the Barsunala to bring you this hog."
"The Barsunala?" Trystle asks, and drops her hands, looking embarrassed. "You.. pal around? I know this hog.. I guess my Burtrum ran off though. He'd have fit in well here. Could have guarded the.. Death Apples.. or something. I'm just in a tent right now, but there's stuff for the hog to eat here. There's always something a hog will eat."
"Burtrum had duties to the Barsunala to tend to; it was not because of you. He protected you for as long as he could," Scourge claims, "This hog is ... not as good as he was, but hopefully will make you happy?"
"She's pregnant. And.. a little drunk I think," Trystle says, moving to the sow. "Yeah, we'll be fine together. Do you visit often? Do you like to smash stuff?"
"And I knew Burtrum was special," she whispers.
"I am not particularly welcome here," Scourge points out, "Being the pet of Gorphat and all. But, I do not mind smashing stuff from time to time."
"There're lots of old ruins and stuff in the mountains, so if you ever get bored and want to rampage or anything, just come get me," Trystle offers. "I bet dragons rampage nearly as good as boars. My dad didn't really tell us a lot about why we had to come here, other than that he wants us to be safe and together. Should I be worried?"
"You are here to be safe. Your father risked much to protect you and your family, and made enemies of a very evil person. It is one reason you were 'destined' to find the boar you named Burtrum. And now you are here to better protect you from those who would wish you harm," Scourge claims. "Perhaps some day Burtrum will be able to visit again. I can ask if you wish."
"I'd really like that," Trystle says, smiling and reaching over to rub behind one of Scourge's tendrils. "I've never been around so many people before. Dad says I should make friends. I guess that means he's given up building up a dowry and marrying me off."
Scourge's head tilts a bit. "He just wants you to be happy; he has been under immense pressure as of late. I also suggest that you give him him a second chance," it notes as it lets the hog go into Trystle's care. "I should let you get back to examining the tree and making new friends."
"I'll probably get lots of attention after this," Trystle confides. "Thanks for letting me know Burtrum is fine, and thank the Barsunala for me for.. protecting us. I don't know what Dad was involved in, but I'm guessing it was pretty bad. It's good to know someone was watching out for us."
"You are being watched and protected and will continue to be so," Scourge says as it backs up and starts to slip away. "Any here of the Yodh can contact the Barsunala should you need him, by the way. You only have to ask."
"Huh.. they're a bit frightening, but I'll remember," the girl says, and takes up the sow's lead. "Take care, Scourge of Gorphat."
"Just be polite and respectful," Scourge notes, the strange creature then slinks off and disappears from the crowds before the Yodh here start to complain.
It may seem odd for Nicora to feel 'at home' in this place, with the strange monstrous insects and oozing walls. But after everything that's been happening, it does feel comfortable, even if her body doesn't, thanks to the various itchy infections and pendulous blessings.
The shift back was both comforting and uncomfortable when she completed it and emerged naked and blessed by Gorphat. She takes time to check herself for any problems that may have cropped up in her absence, down to the condition of her horrib larva and if her breasts are in need of ... milking.
The larva are almost completely absorbed now, but still in more or less the same positions as before. She may not need milking immediately.. but by morning it will be a necessity.
Nicora checks for any other signs of parasite activity within her body since she did willfully infect herself with the three different strains. And since she can get up as her breasts aren't too large to make walking close to impossible, she will head over to the acolyte's chamber once the last exam is done.
There are some signs of inflammation on her skin, but nothing really noticeable yet. Her crotch does itch more than usual, however, from the bacterial paint that was applied.
Nicora has to squirm and push things out of the way to try and get a look at what used to be Inala's passage and is probably better described these days as Gorphat's wound. She also can't help herself and scratches that area a bit!
Ouch! Scratching makes it worse. The design isn't exactly elegant, but it does glow.
"The things I willingly do to myself," Nicora mutters as she rises up and makes her way out of her chambers to go check on the acolyte next door, as well as her 'children'.
Penance is in her alcove, partially cocooned in by the Sacred Horribs. The mark on her forehead is starting to scar, and it doesn't look like she's been picking at it despite how badly it must itch (the worms wiggle after all). She's also passed out and exhausted looking, with a bit of caking around her nostrils and lips from something she must have picked up in the hospice.
Nicora leans in to check the scar on her forehead for any worm activity. She also massages the acolyte's chest to see if she is still prodicing Gorphat's sacred milk.
The girl moans a bit, but does produce a few drops. She may be a bit dehydrated herself though.
Nicora actually leans down and nurses on her a bit to see how dehydrated the girl might be. "Go fetch some water for her," Nicora thinks to her buzzing 'children'.
The milk is a bit pasty, and Brutus buzzes past and into the hall beyond. It isn't clear how he'll carry the water back, but he certainly acts like he has a plan.
While Nicora waits for the horrib to return, she takes some time to ken the woman's gut, checking to see how distended it is and how her larva are doing.
The larva have all implanted, but are starting to be absorbed. Since this is Penance's first implantation, it's going slower than it does for Nicora. Her gut does look distended, but that could be from multiple reasons.
"Ah, good, the horribs are not in risk of actually eating their way out," Nicora thinks. She leans in and whispers to her, "You are doing so very well. You are embracing Gorphat's gifts and becoming stronger, I can sense it in you."
Penance mumbles something, still not quite awake. Brutus returns then, and anything else the girl might be trying to say is interrupted by the drone's feeding tube going into her mouth. Her throat flexes, showing that she's swallowing. Hopefully water.
Nicora smirks. "Good boy, you're taking good care of her," the Yodhgorphat thinks. She makes her way over to the queen's nest while Brutus tends to Penance. "Hello in there?" she calls into it, to see if the queen is awake.
Do Horribs actually sleep? The Queen unfolds herself, looking rather Eeee-like. More and more, she seems to be turning into a female version of Hosheb.. if decidedly more Horrib than Eeee.
"Ah, hello," Nicora actually coos at it. "You may be getting more drones soon. When the time comes you'll need to lay eggs in Penance's womb. Do you wish me to teach you how to do that soonish?" she actually asks the bug-thing as if it could understand her.
The Queen's mouthparts click and ratchet in reply. Who knows what it means though.
Nicora actually reaches out and dares to caress the queen's ovipositor. "All the Yodh will bear your hive for you. I just have to teach you how to properly do it," she tells the insect-thing. All the Yodh are crazy, is what they are.
More clicking in reply, and Brutus finishes with Penance and perches on Nicora's back.
"You trust and love me, right?" Nicora continues to coo at the queen, along with caressing.
The Queen wiggles a bit and places a claw on Nicora's shoulder. A sign of trust?
"Good. I will teach you how to properly lay eggs in a female Eeee soon," Nicora promises, then actually leans in and lightly kisses the queen on her forehead. She then steps back and yawns, then stretches. The Yodh look about, them seems to decide something. She actually lifts Brutus lightly off her back and cradles him in her arms. This allows her to back into one of the other alcoves into the room. "I wish to sleep in cocoon tonight, please," she requests, then closes her eyes so that they can do just that. Maybe sleeping in horrib cocooning will be more comfortable with her breast issues? Or ... it will just make her look like a giant larva.
The drones go to work, weaving their resin to partially seal her in..