When Nikky approaches, she realizes there are some people ahead of her in the cemetery! She can spot black-robed figures - either Yodhsunala or people daring to dress like them. Two of them barsunala guards, while the third is more clearly a Yodhsunala. An exorcist, from the looks of it, since she has a bladeless dagger hilt charm hanging from her neck. She's holding a long wand with various charms hanging from it, including vials of glowing liquid, and she's chanting quietly as she weaves through the cemetery, checking each grave.
Given Nikky is not in any official form they would recognize, she slinks along and tries to stay out of sight. "/Just what are these people up to /here/?" she thinks. It might violate some rules of decorum between the Yodh!
"This place is creepy," one of the barsunala says. "You're sure this won't disturb the guardian?" he asks the exorcist.
"Dey in for a painful time if they do!" Nikky thinks and stifles a giggle. "Dey haf t' waddle home iff dey do. Day be funny t'watch."
"This is important," the woman snaps, sounding middle-aged. "There was an attempt to attack our Temple with the undead. We have to make certain the dead of our cousin Yodh have not been compromised." With that, she goes back to whatever it is she's been doing to the graves - either blessing them or checking them for signs of tampering.
"I don't see any weird trees," the other guard notes. "If they'd been zombified there'd be trees, wouldn't there?"
"Ooooh, dat eb why dey here. I should prolly go occupy de guardian, den. Otherwise dey learn a whole knew meaning t' pain in de behind," Nikky thinks as she slinks along again, trying to circle around them and get to the guardian's layer before they get too close.
"This'd be better if it were the Shrine Maiden," one guard whispers to the other. In the dark, a naked Nikky looks like a headless ghost - but nobody sees her make her way to the shrine that is also Rugharo's lair. When she enters it, it's just a shallow cave, since the 'lair' of the guardian exists in a spirit world, until the proper connection is made. As for making that connection.. well, there is an altar for offerings, and it's certainly big enough for someone to lie on.
"Huh, I guess nothing residual t' draw him out like last time," Nikky mutters to himself after she has entered the cave. She circles the altar several times, pondering the wisdom of lying upon it. "Y' do remember what happened last time wit him, ya?" she talks to herself, "Firs' time anyone actually too big fer me t' enjoy. Buuuuut, mebbe the blessing help wit dat now."
Certainly, the Shrine Maiden (who always had the blessing, apparently) could handle the beast. But.. this is also about testing a theory! It would do no good to have the Shrine Maiden serviced by Rugharo, since the Shrine Maiden wouldn't be horrib-pregnant.
"Bah, who ya kiddin. Y'want de beast to take ya, even iffin it hurts," Nikky admits to herself. So ... she slinks her way up onto the altar and lies down on her back! Then she remembers that Rugharo tends to act more like a beast so rolls over and presents herself with a lifted rump instead! "You just can't stop yourself, can you?" part of her thinks.
The trio from the Temple of Sunala continue their work, ignoring the shrines completely. And then there's a sudden feeling of.. depth behind Nicorina, as if a tunnel just opened up. And the breeze that comes from it warm and musky. There's also a grunt, and the sound of hooves on stone approaching.
"Oookay, that seems to be summoning someone!" Nikky thinks, feeling nervous ... which also makes her a bit aroused. So, he won't be the only one smelling musky soon. "Guardian of Inala," the rat murmurs, wiggling her rump enticingly. "I come t' give myself to you in honor of Inala."
"You again," Rugharo says, his breath ruffling the fur along the Skreek's back. Despite the comment.. he still takes her quick forcefully. And even with the enchantment.. it's still tight. It may be fine handling length, but there are possibly limits on girth. But it's not painful at least.. well, not that part. Having a few hundred pounds of muscle smashing into her backside several times a second is gonna leave something sore.
Nikky's eyes go wide. "Oh ... ugh, yah, he still big even for the blessing!" she thinks when she grunts painfully for the 'parting'. And now that the beast is at it, she isn't going anywhere! He's four times her weight at least. All she can do is ride it out and hope she doesn't waddle too much afterward! And trie to Nikky form, part of her really likes it; the rat likes big guys.
Igorina was exceptionally strong, and Nicorina copied that. Aside from the dragons and wraith, she might be the strongest one. It helps now, since anyone else would be crushed. Rugharo is far more gentle with Snowcora after all! Of course, there's no keeping it all quiet. Even in the hazy overlap of reality and spirit that the shrine occupies, it's still noticed by one of the barsunala. The look on his face seems to suggest that while he sees Nikky and all of her reactions, he possibly does not see Rugharo.
"Eehhehe, he gonna have nightmares," Nikky thinks is amusement upon spotting that she has been spotted! Even though she fills full to impossibility right now, she can't help but still be amused. And this causes her to have even more exaggerated expressions than she might have normally; to the point it might look like she's having a fit! And she also tries to be more active, pushing back against the demon as best she can with what strength she has!
"Urf," Rugharo grunts, not used to anything being able to return the effort. This actually makes him pause.. then lean back to flip Nikky onto her back. He pushes her legs until her ankles are practically touching her shoulders, and starts up again.. with just a little bit more gentility, perhaps. At least he seems to think Nikky now deserves more than just animal lust.
The barsunala is approaching with some caution after letting the other know he's going to investigate.
Nikky grunts as she goes onto her back. She looks up at Rughharo and actually manages to growl back at him. "Yeah, nice an' hard. I be trainin' for you," she claims, eyes narrowed and smile devious. "Y kin you all my orifices if you want," she even adds and winks at the demon. Yes, full on rat craziness is in play! That poor Yodhsunala is in for a show ... or might even get pulled into the show.
"Are you.. in distress?" the guard calls when he's close enough - but not too close - the impossibly self-squishing Skreek. He must hear the slapping sounds by now.
Rugharo dips his massive head.. and takes both of Nikky's teats in those stone-like teeth and tugs. It causes the watching Eeee to squeak in alarm, since he's pretty sure breasts don't move like that on their own.
"No at all! I be having one dagh of a rut!," Nikky croons. "I keepin' de guardian occupied an all so you kin finish whatchoo doin'. If you take too long, tho ... you be on dis table next!" The sudden tug then makes her squeal! It's impressive too; all that time as a hog has taught her how to squeal properly.
"Oh.. uh.. thank you?" the guard says. He keeps his position though at the mention of the guardian. The exorcist still has a lot of cemetery to cover. Rugharo isn't one to tire out easily though, and is now busy licking Nikky's throat and face with his broad tongue while he pumps away.
Since Nikky's hands are free she uses them to scratch behind Rugharo's ears! "Oooh yah, y' such a big fellow. Feels, grunt so intense!" the skreek tells the beast as she arches as much as the position permits (which isn't much right now)! "I coul do dis regularly!"
"Uhhhh.. what?" the guard asks.
Rugharo decides to change things up again, and Nikky soon finds herself on top, with the great beast beneath her on the altar. Since none of her is touching the altar, she probably looks like she's hovering (or bouncing) in mid-air.
"No you, de guardian!" Nikky calls back to the guard and even tries to shoo him away with her hands. She looks down at the great beast beneath her and grins deviously! She's soon bouncing like mad, ending each with a hard push down to make sure she's grinding against the great beast! It also gives her a chance to look at her gut and watch for any changes.
Things are rippling.. but that is probably just from the impact. It's also a bit dangerous, since looking down risks getting smacked in the face by one of her own breasts. She doesn't feel that things have gotten heavier, or that the larvae are reacting to Rugharo.
"I.. have to make sure the guardian.. uh.. is still there," the guard claims. He's standing behind a tombstone though, and gripping the stone pretty hard with his hands. "Do you come here often? Are you a disciple of Inala then?"
"Maybe they don't react to him? Or only when the male finishes?" Nikky wonders. She doesn't wonder long, though. She focuses on her fun; he's just soooooo big and tight-feeling! "Oh, Inala likes me, I come now and den!" she answers the Barsunala distractedly.
"And.. you just.. uh.. serve the guardian then?" the guard asks.
"Nah, I serve anyone who wants t' mount a skreek!" Nikky cackles.
Rhugaro snorts, and reaches up to squeeze things on Nicorina. "All for me," he grunts.
"Right now, yes, I be your little rut-rat," Nikky tells Rugharo, giggling like the loon she is.
The Yodhsunala keeps up her task of checking the graves. She doesn't seem in a hurry, which gives Rugharo time to try some other positions. Nikky's rear is nearly numb at this point - and with the white fur, if there's bruising it might show. But then again she never bruised before from the attentions of the guardian demons... at least not after they'd left. "Moving on," the exorcist announces.
And at one point Nikky even tries her own position and even tries it with her jaws to see if the blessing works for that too. Knowing Inala, it /should/. "Whatta way to go numb, eehhehehe!/ she thinks.
It's still risky.. because she needs to be able to breath, and unlike the other end, her jaw can only spread so wide. Rugharo grunts faster - a good indication that he's about to finish. If Nikky wants to check if that is what stimulates larva growth, she needs to switch positions quickly!
Nikky does draw back quicky, spread her legs in such a lewd way she would back a Yodhinala proud, then impales herself right back on the demon and rides him hard and fast for the remainingg time she can so that when the demon pops ... she feels Inala's rush too!
It causes the lingering guard to squeak again in alarm. Rugharo licks Nikky afterwards.. but once his energy spent, suddenly the shrine is just a shrine, and Nikky isn't covered in slobber. More telling though is that she doesn't feel any different inside - whatever the larvae react to, it's possible that supernatural interaction isn't it.
And Nikky is sitting on the altar and pouting. "Aw, it didn't work," she thinks, looking grumpy. So ... she makes a come-hither gesture to the Barsunala. "Wanna ride?" she giggles at him.
The guard looks around to see that his comrade and the Yodhsunala have already left, then quickly comes to the shrine, shedding his robes. "This isn't going to get me into trouble, is it?" he asks.
Lies back on the altar and stretches out. "Nah, it be fiiiine," the skreek claims. "And I know ya wanna."
Nikky, that is.
A few moments later, the already worked-up Eeee is working at Nikky. "How can you be so.. not stretched.. after that," he asks between breaths.
"Oh, I be blessed to always be the perfect lay," Nikky giggles into the worked up Eeee's ear. She then promptly licks it and wraps her legs about him. Her muscle control down there is impressive too!
The poor man doesn't last long against such prowess! But while he suckles a bit afterwards, Nikky does feel a slight change in her cargo. They either like Eeees or only react to mortal copulations.
And Nikky pets along his neck. "Dat be a good boy, nurse ... and rest up for another round," she giggles.
He does do better the second time - possibly because he isn't fully reloaded to begin with. Barsunala probably don't have much reason to develop that sort of stamina. He does get a bit more energetic at least once his second wind kicks in.
And Nikky rides him until he's wheezing. Once he pops, she nibbles his neck and murmurs, "You shoul' prolly go soon and catch up to yer crew. Or ... iffin ya wait long enough Rugharo can come back an entertain you..."
"Urk?" the worn out bat reacts to that warning.. but he's still pinned by the rat until she lets him go!
"He might like a nice boy t' play wit," Nikky claims in the way luring monsters often do when they've caught their pray. She leans down as if she's going to bite ... then just whispers, "Kidding! Yas fun. I let yas go." The rat rolls off, giggling and curling up in a small ball.
The guard staggers a bit once he gets to his feet. He looks she has been draining his blood from the way he wobbles. "Thanks for.. uh.. Thanks!" he manages to say, as he fumbles his clothes on and takes to the air. Nikky again feels just slightly heavier. It's hard to tell if her belly has expanded any as well though.
Nikky feels about on her gut a bit, checking for size changes or movement. "Ya all boring; y' like it all normal!" she chides.
There's perhaps a gas-gurgle in response. It seems odd that creatures of Gorphat (presumably) would react to such things. But the queen did seem very interested in the process.
"Ah well, I shoul' get back to the temple," the skreek claims as she gets up and heads back to where she stashed her bandages. Once she gets to them it's a shift back to Nicora, dressing, and heading back to her temple.
Things haven't been disturbed at the altar where she left the bandages, thankfully. You never know when someone will make the long trek just in case Mavetraum is around. Tulani must have a special way of sneaking past the pilgrims. At Nicora figures she may as well try to top-off her power again after the earlier, complicated shifting, and fill her 'partner' in on what she's learned.
Tulani is in, luckily, looking like she just arrived since she's still getting ready for bed - she must have adjusted to the night-for-day activity cycle of the city by now. "You're looking.. uh.. well?" she says to Nicora.
And Nicora siddles up to Tulani and gives her a nice kiss right on the lips. "Yes, I feel just fine," she claims and waves her hand a bit. "I just came back by to recharge quickly should I need to shift any more ... and tl let you know about a few things I need you to look into for me."
After Tulani wipes her lips (there was a string of something dangling when Nicora pulled away) and gets the Light, she asks, "What do you need looked into?"
"You're supposed to lick the string away," Nicora says, sounding affronted. "Well, I need you to scout eastward from the city and look for possible old temples, particularly ones to Diphath," Nicora explains, and then explains exactly why; she recounts what Thath told her about the ship's course, how fast it could move, and its abrupt shift towards the mists after some point. "So, I have a theory that the General somewhere along that route was ... changed."
"Hmmm," Tulani ponders. "Sounds like a job for The Silver Ghost! That's my dragon form. The Silver Ghost! Pretty neat, eh?"
"Is it? I called it 'slippery when wet'," Nicora counters, grinning rather widely.
"Well.. if anyone asks, use Silver Ghost," Tulani says with an arched eyebrow. "I may start back at that bandit hideout we found, and work outwards from there. If there's one cavern, there could be more."
Nicora points Tulani in the center of her chest. "Don't get any ideas about taking on bandits or the like," she warns, "Not without my help. I'm not going to let you get injured."
"You're just worried about me eating people," Tulani claims, crossing her arms under her breasts. "But I'm just going to look around. If there's a hidden military bivouac out there, I doubt there will be bandits near it."
"No attacking any military, either. Or cultists," Nicora adds, crossing her arms in mimic of Tulani. Well, as much as she can given she has four rows of the fleshy things. "And yes, I am. Look only, be careful, report back."
"You can trust on me on my own," Tulani says. "I haven't gotten into any trouble yet sneaking around as a big honking dragon, after all."
"You might get overconfident. You aren't invulnerable or immortal," Nicora notes, "I worry."
"I survived the fight with Vorg, I can avoid being seen by people trying to hide," Tulani promises. "Just be careful yourself. If I'm out hunting for hidy-holes, I can't be here to charge you up or help you heal from.." and here she just gestures at Nicora's gut. "I hope you don't mean to approach the Yodhrephath as Nicora, do you?"
"No, of course not. I'll go as Alptraum when I can," Nicora notes, "Or as Scourge if I must."
"And I can always try to contact you in dream if I need you to return," she adds.
"That seems reasonable," Tulani admits. "I'll be sure to sleep sometimes then, and not stay out more than three days at a time."
Nicora nods, "There is no rush to search it all at once. It can be done in stages. We both need to be careful." She then flexes her right hand a bit, adding, "And I should recharge myself full before you go."
The Light is unsheathed. There's the usual rush of energy.. and no reaction from the larvae, which didn't react last time either.
Nicora holds her hand as near as she can safely to absorb as much as she can. "Do you have any other news for me I should know about, or anything you want to ask of me?" she inquires during the charging.
"The trade lanes have been pirate free for over a week now," Tulani notes. "Nobody's left that's big enough to risk conflict with the Yodhrephath, especially with their warship able to hide in a mobile cloud and pounce without warning. You'd think it'd be easy to spot something like that, but apparently there are a dozen of the fake clouds all along the route, so nobody can be sure which one is loaded." The Sphynx twitches her whiskers, and adds, "I think the Yodhrephath are growing bored of being police. They're too affective, so there aren't enough people to punish as a result."
"What will they do if they get too bored? I don't have anything for them to do yet, not without enough information on what the General is doing," Nicora notes, "And how are they managing these mobile clouds?"
"Air Magic," Tulani says. "Not just the one air mage they have.. I guess she had friends still willing to help out. So long as it isn't obvious that the Mages Guild is involved in any way."
"Hm. Well, keep me informed on them. If they start to look like they're going to become a problem, let me know. I'll also have to keep my eye out when I get a chance to visit them," Nicora proimises.
"Oh, I think Mage Cyprian wants to see the Shrine Maiden again," Tulani adds. "He's shown up a few times hoping to catch her. Probably about his special madness-resistance spell thingy."
"He does? Just to test that or other things as well?" Nicora asks.
"He didn't say specifically, just that he wanted to test something 'again'.. so I assume it's what he tested last time," Tulani says. "Unless he really did come up with a way to weaponize your monster-lure."
"Aha. Well, I'll have to see when I can make use of that form. When I know I'll let his office know indirectly," Nicora says and nods. "Anything else?"
"The girls at the salon miss Pierce," Tulani notes, and looks at Nicora's belly again. "But I don't think that can be solved anytime soon. When do you.. pop..?"
"I honestly don't know," Nicora admits, "That is part of the complications. I cannot plan out anything further until it's ... dealt with. I could probably become pierce right now ... but not much longer and it'll show in all forms, even male."
"And I'm not going to pop," Nicora insists, "It'll be safe."
"Maybe you shouldn't put too much stress on them then," Tulani advises. "It might just prolong it if they really only progress while you're Nicora."
"Right ... so I should probably spend as much time as this as I can," Nicora agrees reluctantly. "And finish this task up so that I can focus."
"What do you feed them, anyway?" Tulani asks, in morbid fascination. "You drink blood after all.. uh.. when was the last time you fed?"
"They feed off nutrients in my blood, I think," Nicora admits. The question then causes her to tilt her head and grin. "Right now," Nicora says as she abrubly embraces Tulani and bites down on her shoulder!
"Augh!" Tulani complains. "Hey, be gentle.. and please don't drool. You aren't actually contagious with anything are you? There are squirmy boils on your head.."
Nicora ignores the complaints and just drinks. Her curses/diseases are somewhat magical, after all. She's at least gentle about the drinking once the initial scaring of Tulani has ended. It's a few minutes before her jaws do finally release. "I don't drool," she says afterward and even kisses Tulani on the noise.
Tulani rubs her shoulder. And the initial fright did make her blood taste a bit more.. excited. Probably the adrenaline. "Try not to starve yourself," she says.
"I don't! I'm not crazy," Nicora claims as she scratches at one of the squirming bumps on her head.
The bump pops, releasing the ringworm and a bit of warm goo.
Nicora ughs. "Okay, I need to return to the temple," she admits as she steps away from Tulani. "Keep me updated on your progress," she says as she heads up the stairs quickly before anything else pops.
The night is nearly over by the time Nicora makes it back to the Temple of Gorphat, which means there are several people preparing for sleep. Otto is heard fluffing up his pile of straw, and the Horribs are clacking and clicking as they being to cocoon Penance into her alcove. The now crowded main temple is still active though, as the hospice runs both night and day.
Nicora greets those at the hospice as she passes, then slips into the temple proper. First thing she does, she heads to one of the 'medical' chambers to collect some cleaning cloths to clean up the ruptured boils. She'll also probably give herself an exam while there, including a shadow exam of her 'children'.
Only a few of the boils seem 'ripe' enough to burst, but at least they're disinfected now. More of them are noticeable around her body once she has a good look. The shadow exam reveals that there are five of the larva - they're too big now to move around quickly, and seem balled up together. After a growth spurt, the seem to be dormant for a bit.
"Five of you. That's... well, less than the doe. I can do this," Nicora mutters to herself as she withdraws the shadow and makes the way back to her own chambers to get a bit of rest, herself. It has been a busy day.
Sleep comes quickly at least. But it isn't all that restful. There are images and impressions - not full on dreams, but possibly something more immediate. Feelings of hunger, flexing of teeth (as in having flexible teeth, a sense of pressure and confinement - and a constant ache of change. And it would all go away, surely, if she could just chew her way out..
"No chew, no chew, no chew!" part of Nicora thinks in this odd dreamlike state. "The way will be open when the time is right."
There's a new sensation then. Calming, if not soothing. A feeling of being stroked. It breaches the barrier of sleep, and Nicora is feeling the touch as well, dragging her back to wakefulness. When her eyes focus, she sees Gorphat sitting on the bed and stroking the distended belly. The larvae push up to meet her hand, distorting the skin.
Nicora blinks several times then draws in a deep breath to keep herself from screaming or 'freaking out' that she can see her stomach pressing upwards. "Mother ..." she says with a forced calm to her voice, "What are you ... doing to them?"
"It's a lullaby," Gorphat says. "They grow so fast now. Apparently they like the rat though. She's one of Inala's, isn't she? You aren't spoiling the babies already, are you?"
"No ... I was just testing to see what made them grow. Why ... why do they like the rat?" Nicora asks nervously. Ugh, she can feel them moving around inside her; when they press upward it's actually a bit uncomfortable.
"I imagine it is because she could deliver them easiest," Gorphat suggests, still 'stroking' the larvae. "If it can handle anything going in, it is reasonable to assume it can handle anything going out. You are a bit more limited in that regard. The rat.. gets them excited, I suppose."
"I intend to birth them in this form as it should be," Nicora promises without moving around too much ... save for how her gut distends under the stroking. She really looks like she has udders in this body now. "They are "Gorphat's creatures and should only be birthed by Yodhgorphat."
"Of course, it could be no other way," Gorphat says. "If you do decide to excite them again, however.. you will do it here, in My temple.. not in Inala's or one paying homage to Inala. The rat has plenty of admirers here, after all." She tickles the larva at the surface, causing it to squirm about even more than it was before.
Nicora twitches, wars also flicking about from the odd squirming. "Do you know how long I have before they will be ready?" she forces out the question. "And I can excite them, this one included. Otto would do well there."
"When they are ready," Gorphat says. "Even I don't know what form these new ones will take. They are the new queen's first, and she is unique."
Nicora winces at the memory. "She was utter agony to birth," she admits, "But I am honored to have done so."
"I have born no children of my own," Gorphat laments. "Yet I have many daughters.. granddaughters. My beautiful Magog. Don't you think she's beautiful?" she asks Nicora.
Nicora bites her lip. "She is ... unique. I would never be worthy to look as she does," she says in a rather political answer. "Don't make me look like her, don't make me look like her!" she thinks.
Gorphat grins at Nicora. She stops rubbing the larvae at least, so that they settle down again. "They should be ready in a few more days - sooner if they are 'encouraged'. I am sure you will come out of it stronger."
"Just a few days? Do you ... no, you already said you don't know how they will appear," Nicora says as she looks warily at that grin. It makes her suspect Gorphat is thinking something that may be unpleasant.
"I've touched them now though.. I can sense their ripeness," Gorphat explains. She leans over and kisses Nicora on the forehead.. which immediately causes a dozen worm-blisters to painfully burst all across her body. "You are unique. You will always be unique to me," the goddess claims.
Nicora winces and has to fight the urge to scratch herself all over. "And I imagine that you will always make sure that I am unique in your image," she agrees. She then actually sits up enough to kiss Gorphat in return, on the glowing symbol on her forehead as well.
That only results in a slight numbing of her lips. Gorphat sits back up, and pats Nicora on the belly again. "I can only hope Penance is at least a quarter as wonderful as you, my favorite creation."
"Penance will be birthing children too. I had planned to make her watch my birth, then submit herself to the queen for her ... time," Nicora explains as she reaches down to cover Gorphat's hand with her own. Even though with it on her belly and the squirming it causes in her gut, she holds it there anyway. "It is a show of faith, a good final act before she is fully inducted."
"Hopefully it will not be too traumatic," Gorphat says, but her expression is one that hints at the exact opposite. "It is the new test of faith, after all, under your new Yodhgorphat. I do hope you'll still teach the lessons of the Path of Affliction though. I always liked that."
"I believe they will still be taught, yes," Nicora agrees, "Though in a kinder way, perhaps. The new Babel needs a gentler hand." She tries to not twitch too much at the hint that in a few days she's going to go through something just .... awful. Again! And this time it was her decision, she created the idea!
"So long as it is still done in My name, and with my My commitment to bettering people," Gorphat says, looking a bit maniacal. "But you should rest! You will need your strength after all."
"Yes, I should probably rest," Nicora agrees as the thread of being turned into a blobbly larva-woman seems to be a fading worry. She reclines back into her bed, rough as it is, and smiles up at Gorphat. "Thank you for everything you have done to me, and for me. They have helped me grow," she says. She ends up looking down at her chest and thinking, "/And sometimes literally."
Gorphat leaves.. by the doorway, oddly enough.. leaving Nicora to try and sleep again. She at least doesn't get any more impressions from the larvae - but there are few disquieting dreams of being a maggot-woman wallowing through piles of corpses. It wasn't much different from being a hog though.
Nicora is thankful most for not getting any more impressions about being eaten from the inside out. She may have a horrible looking Inala's passage now, but it is working! She can birth. Still, sleep is lovely. No aches, itches, or odd urges when she sleeps ... usually. Even the dreams right now are ... tolerable. It's probably just because of how she smells right now. Maybe Mave was right and she is a bit ... ripe.
The bathing options in the Temple are a bit limited. And there's no telling what the worm-pool would do to her ringworm blisters. It would probably be a good idea to check on the progress of Penance's afflictions later as well. At least, those are the thoughts that run through Nicora's head when she finally does wake up normally in the afternoon. And even before Otto shows up with the buckets.
"Ugh," goes Nicora as she sits up; coated in her own slime and having the expected intense weight upon her chest. She tries to force herself to sit up slowly so that she'll be ready when Otto gets here.
The rattle of the buckets herald the milking-rat's arrival. "It is good to see you back again, High Priestess," Otto says, and comes over to help Nicora get into position.
The position being, on all fours like some sort of common livestock. It's ... degrading, but then Yodhgorphat aren't supposed to have egos about their look or demeanor. It's just ... very trying when she has a lot of weight handing down from her entire torso ... along with a somewhat squirmy gut.
"Good day to you, Otto," she says, "It is good to see you again. I wish ... full service from you today."
"Really?" Otto asks, as he starts the milking. "Are you sure it won't hurt you?"
"It will hurt, yes. You can also lick if you would rather. Or ... both," Nicora offers, "Lick first until I find contentment, then ... find your own with me."
For the time being, the Skreek focuses on the milking. Only when that's finished does he help Nicora back onto her bed - and onto her back. Then he employs his tongue for several minutes more, resting Nicora's legs over his shoulders.
The milking, as gross as it is, feels wonderful. It is such a weight off her chest. And afterward ... wow, Otto is so gentle with her and it just feels lovely. How he can do that given her smell and her ooze ... she doesn't know. But, she also doesn't complain. She just makes all sorts of happy sounds, right down to a contenting burble, soft cry out, and a long series of shudders when actual pleasure greats her from that area thanks to the skreek.
Of course, this means the 'curse' kicks in while Otto is taking his turn. He winces a few times from the clenching spasms, but doesn't complain. He never complains. It's always possible that, like Penance, he thinks he deserves whatever unpleasantness he's dealt.
And Nicora ... she has an impressive grimace on her face. It really hurts, but she bears it as she musts, and tries to fight it so that Otto enjoys it as much as he can as well. "Thank you, Otto. I ... hope you enjoy me as I can with you at times," she murmurs through those gritted teeth.
"It is good to be needed," Otto says, finishing before things get too uncomfortable. "Nobody has ever wanted me before. Nobody cared. Then Nikky rescued me and you fixed me. I want to be useful."
Nicora is inwardly grateful when Otto finishes. The spasming hurts, but it is less without something huge in there! Hopefully it won't also upset the larva too much. She forces herself to sit up once he has drawn away. "You are very useful Otto, you should think better of yourself," she notes. "And in the end, the most important person who needs to care about you is you."
"That is a tall order, High Priestess," Otto admits. "I remember my sins and they weigh on me. Only through service will I regain my value to myself. I.. don't want to waste all the care that you've shown."
"We all have sins we carry, Otto. Don't let them define you, transcend them," Nicora offers as advice. "I need to check on Penance. You are welcome to remain here as long as you wish."
"I should bring the milk to the Yodhrinala while it is fresh," Otto says, but does offer to help Nicora up to her feet.
Nicora appreciates the help. She also has to support herself a bit with a hand at the base of her back. She ... thinks they have gotten bigger again. The weight is ... noticeable. She pats Otto on the shoulder, then makes her way out of the room and into the one adjacent with with horrib lair.
At least they haven't gotten heavier from being with Otto - it seems they really do respond to forms other than Nicora, for whatever reason. When she arrives at the lair, the drones are still in the process of chewing Penance free. The Queen is hanging from her 'throne', and moving her complicated mouth-parts. "Did-a-chick," she says, rather clearly.
"I wish I knew what that meant," Nicora says to the queen as she goes over to greet it. She even pats the side of its head where there aren't too many sharp parts. "Your children are ... growing fine within me," she says, then pats her gut gently.
The queen reaches out with a pair of hands to feel over the belly (and pinches one of the teats in the process). "Did-a-dud-a-chik-chum," the creature claims.
Nicora really wishes she knew what that meant! Instead all she can do is wince a bit from the pinch. "I promise they are fine within me. They are ... often active now," she claims, trying to mollify the queen.
"Chikadudda," the queen says.. and nods. Then she pats Nicora on the head.
Nicora now rubs her gut a bit. "Soon you will be laying in the acolyte as well. I hope that pleases you," she tells the horrible monster.
The queen's mouth reorganizes, the various parts shifting around to form.. something like a smile.
"You gave me ... five. Since she is younger and less experienced, you should lay less in her," Nicora suggests to the queen. She then goes to check on Penance and how she is doing.
The glow is starting to fade from the glow-wounds, but the symbol on her head is starting to scar over nicely, with fluid oozing out from the edges. She looks a bit thin, still, and there's no telling if she's been with Spyder again or not. "High Priestess?" she says as she finishes rousing.
Nicora does a thorough check of Penance, right down to a finger feel that her time with Spyder has helped 'relax' her in that area so that the egg implantation won't be utter agony. "Good Afternoon, Penance. You are looking a little better. How are you feeling?" she asks while she examines her,
"I am feeling.. spindly," Penance says. "I think I have contracted something from the hospice. I was vomiting yesterday. Should I start solid food yet?" she asks. There's also a slight layer of fuzz on her - her fur is starting to grow back in.
"Yes, you should eat something solid today. You need to recover your strength," Nicora notes and runs her finger down some of the fuzz. "Have you decided on this yet? Are you going to go as I am, or allow it to grow back in?"
"I don't remember having it," Penance notes. "Will I still be recognized if it grows in?"
"Maybe? Hard to say until it has grown back in," Nicora notes. "It is your choice. You can wait until later to decide; it is not a requirement to be as I am. I am ... special to Gorphat."
"I would let it grow then, so I know what it feels like," Penance says. "Then decide again if it is worth keeping."
Nicora nods at this. "In a few days you will be pregnant with the children of the queen. These you will have to give birth to as I will be doing in a couple days," she explains as if it were a simple thing. "It is the last step in becoming a Yodh; are you ready for it?"
"Or, if you are ready today, we can have the queen implant you. You have the choice of watching and deciding after, or taking a leap of faith now. Either is acceptable," Nicora offers, "It is just your preference."
"I should be stronger first, shouldn't I?" Penance asks, looking a bit worried at the prospect. "Will Spyder be involved?"
"He has already been helping prepare you," Nicora admits.
"But stronger is wise, yes. It will be trying as they grow and move more," Nicora notes as she takes Penance's hand and presses it against her distended gut so that Penance can feel the movement.
"Were you ready the first time?" Penance asks, her expression mixed at the squirming.. and the way the larvae seem to sense her hand and move towards it.
"No, I was not. But Gorphat had special challenges for me. I am allowing it to be easier for you," Nicora says, "Also I have abilities you do not which made it so that I did not have to be as prepared."
"I will wait until you think I am ready then, High Priestess," Penance says. "My own judgment is without experience in this."
"Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith," Nicora notes, "I will not always be around to guide you."
The girl bites her lip. "I will think on it then," she says. "What tasks do you have for me today, High Priestess?"
"Rest a bit, recover. See if there are simple, low stress, jobs at the Hospice, and eat some real food," Nicora suggests. "Get stronger, feel better."
"I look forward to eating," Penance admits, stepping out of her alcove finally and stretching. "I've never done it.. well, I don't remember doing it. I see all the bugs in the market area and my mouth begins to water."
"Well, then today you get to enjoy yourself," Nicora remarks and pats the girl on the shoulder. "And tonight you may sleep in a real bed if you wish. You do not need the experience of the alcove anymore ... plus with the fur growth it will be problematic."
"There are beds?" the girl asks, wide eyed. "Have I really come along well enough, High Priestess?"
"Of course you have. I would not offer otherwise," Nicora says.
"Would you prefer to remain coccooned?" Nicora offers.
"I need to accept change," the girl claims. "And.. I should enjoy comfort while I can, I suppose?"
"Yes," Nicora agrees. "But do not go overboard."
"How much is too much then?" the girl asks, sounding.. well, like a young woman for a change. "Will Spyder be able to visit me?"
"Of course. You can visit him whenever you wish as well," Nicora offers, "If it becomes too much I am sure Mother Gorphat will correct you."
"She'll.. I'll see her?" Penance asks, sounding worried again.
"Possibly. I do now and then," Niocra notes seriously. Whether the girl believes her or not...
"What will she do to me if I displease her?" Penance asks, biting her lip again.
"It depends on how much you displeased her. Do not dwell on it. Now go, shoo," Nicora says and waves her hands in a shooing sort of gesture to get her to move on.
The girl trips over some of the organic shapes in the floor, but recovers and makes it out into the temple proper.
Nicora chuckles to herself. "She worries too much. It will be years before she will endure the things I have," she notes as she now goes to leave the room and tend to what remains of the day.