A small cafe table is set within the garden, with a tea service atop it. Sunala sits in one of the chairs, and across from her is the Barsunala, Alptraum. "It has been a while since you have visited Our temple," the blind Goddess of Death notes as she pours some of the bitter tea for her guest.
"Has it? Days sort of blend together when dealing with various issues," Alptraum admits as he accepts the tea. "My apologies for that. Is there a matter I need to attend to or is it more just for me to visit? Either way I will come, of course."
"It would be good for you to be seen around the Temple, when you have the time," Sunala says. "So.. both a private visit and a public one. We are still undecided on what to do about that," Sunala says, gesturing with a wing towards the humanoid tree.
"Ah yes. The tree that was formed when I ... broke the General's trap. Is Rizaka still mad about it?" Alptraum inquires as he looks towards the tree. "I made a point of avoiding her after it bloomed. She has a tendency to get ... well, there are times I have the urge to remind her who I am."
"The location of it leaves something to be desired," Sunala admits as she sips her tea. "The symbolism of it.. is causing some confusion. People wish to see it, but it is in a very private area, and I do not think it should be looked upon as encouraging, if one were to follow the Lore. It is the symbol of unsanctioned suicide, after all."
"Except that is not how it came to be," Alptraum points out. "It was created by stopping the corruption the General was using and giving it a new purpose. Do you wish me to try and move it? I do not know if I can, but I can always try."
Alptraum now sips at his tea too. He doesn't know if he can manipulate plants. Or even absorb them somehow.
"Moving it would certainly ease Razaka's concerns.. and allow the roof to be repaired," Sunala agrees, and smiles slightly. Despite the shredded wings and boiled-looking eyes, she still rivals Inala in beauty. "I'm sure allowance could be made if you require the aid of gardeners or an Earth Mage."
"I do have a generally workable relationship with the mages," Alptraum concedes. "I am loathe to destroy the tree outright for some reason. I cannot quite say why. Maybe because I in a way created it?" He shrugs a little at this and sips his tea again. "I am often a symbol of ends, yet I do not wish to bring them without another choice."
"You are a symbol of Transition," Sunala points out. "Conveyer of the Spirit.. either to Death, or to Life."
"But rarely welcomed to be seen," Alptraum points out, "Change scares people."
"When the alternative is Death, people are happy to embrace change," Sunala claims. And then, oddly.. she sighs. "I envy my Sisters sometimes. Inala and Gorphat both have claims upon you - and you can serve them. I don't mind as much, because they need you the most. But I think it may be making them overly bold." This last word she seems to direct to the world in general, as if chiding or warning someone listening in.
"I am sorry I have not visited you most of all as of late. The days blurring just make it easier for more time to pass between visits," Alptraum admits as he runs a claw along the rim of his teacup. "I should also note, I often feel my position with the Yodhsunala can be a bit tenuous at times. Some accept me, others fear me, some hate me. I do not wish my presence to cause complications for you. That said, whenever you wish anything of me, call me. I will always come to you."
"My Yodh need to be reminded of whom they serve every so often," Sunala says. "And you are popular with the people. That means the Yodhsunala get to keep eating and enjoying their status, so long as they don't make public their private feelings on the matter."
"Fair enough. And if one does, well, I can bring closure to that rather quickly if need be ... if you did not wish to deal with it yourself," Alptraum says. "I have already had to remind a Yodhbarada that while I am generally easy-going and can seem ... ordinary, that there are lines in decorum that should not be crossed." He shrugs again, letting that topic fade. "How are you doing? How is the Temple doing?"
Sunala's posture seems to change slightly.. just enough to make her seem younger. "The Temple runs as it always has," she says. "The business of dying is mostly a bureaucratic affair. Daughter-of-Shadows keeps me company, and sometimes we shoo everyone away and play games. Death should know how to play games, I feel. The mountain is feeling crowded though. It isn't just the sick and dying that come now. Some wish to hear the Yodhrinala speak."
"Has Daughter-of-Shadows been practicing music? I did make her that recorder and taught her a little," Alptraum inquires. "And how do you feel about people coming to see the Yodhrinala?"
"She practices, and sometimes I try as well," Sunala says, and grins. "We have much room for improvement still. As for those coming for services of that sort.. it doesn't concern me. The Yodhsunala do not give sermons. Death is the one certain thing in an uncertain world, so we don't need to instill hope or anything else into people. The Yodhrinala wish to deal with the mental well-being of the people, so more power to them."
Alptraum nods at this. "Mental well-being is important. Hope and passion help fuel the creation of a better world," he says. Another pause to sip tea, then he adds, "I do recommend that you keep practicing music. It ... helps you find happiness in yourself. Peace beyond that of just being calm. And ... more connected to everything."
Sunala reaches across the table and takes Alptraum's hand. "Sometimes it isn't enough though," she whispers, sounding very much like just Srinala. "Ever since our encounter with Diphath in the Sea of Souls.. That's me. The Sea of Souls is within Srinala. Its ebb and flow follow her breath, the currents change course according to her emotions, and the depth itself is linked to her being awake or asleep. I can't secure it. It.. frightens me, to feel vulnerable."
Alptraum curls his fingers around Sunala's. "You feel alive," he says, "Forgive me for saying such, but that is how everyone in the world feels." His brow furrows a bit. "And here is a way I may be able to serve you. I have access to others that are familiar with seals and such. The dragon within the knife, for example. She may know a way to seal it from Diphath. Her knowledge spans worlds and how to stop soul devourers."
"I sometimes forget that you carry your own Sea of Souls on your arm," Sunala says. "I can't talk about this with anyone else, not even Daughter-of-Shadows."
A fly buzzes past, the only insect in the garden.
"Except my Sea is a collection of rather unpleasant people," Alptraum notes with a wry grin. He also eyes the insect, finding that curious. A spy?
The fly buzzes Alptraum's cup of tea, and then flies off.
"What is with the insect?" Alptraum has to ask.
"My Sister is impatient," Sunala growls. "Pride and jealousy plague the Sisters. Because you can visit me in the real world, she resents this time we have, and wants you all to herself."
"Gorphat. She gets more of my time than anyone else," Alptraum admits. "But, I do make a good outlet for her darker urges, which allows her better urges to flourish with the people. It is a hard position for me, but I endure."
"And do you bring out Inala's better urges as well?" Sunala asks, one white eyebrow raised and her head cocked in feminine curiousity.
"I bring out ... what seems like more playful urges without darker subtext," Alptraum admits. "Though I also suspect she likes thinking she can turn me into, and forgive me here, a wanton slut."
"We are urges both physical and metaphysical given form and a grand stage," Sunala says. "The physical ones seem to have an easier time manipulating people."
"A fair point, that. I have allowed Gorphat and Inala to claim certain bodies of mine as their own so that their jealousies are usually placated," Alptraum claims. "It is a challenge to manage, but these are challenging times."
"You're kind to bother with them," Sunala says. "I'm sure you have charmed them both, and so their jealousy is over you in particular."
"Possibly. But I do see one of my roles is to unite all of Babel, even the sisters," Alptraum notes, "So I engage all in the ways that they ... specialize."
"Do not let Blakat and Barada gain similar favor with you," Sunala warns. "They are not part of the Trinity, after all. Your link to them is far weaker than to Us."
"Barada is ... reasonable. Blakat is ... a loon," Alptraum admits, "I deal with them as necessary, but I cannot say they own any forms of me."
"Do not let them try to claim one," Sunala warns again. "They have elements to offer you, and you should try to earn them.. but within reasonable cost."
Alptraum nods at this. "I will keep that in mind and be wary," he agrees.
Two flies appear, and buzz about Alptraum's ears now.
Alptraum's ears flick madly. "Gorphat is ... being insistent," he admits apologetically to Sunala. "I promise to visit you soon in person."
"Don't coddle her too much," Sunala says, and stands. She doesn't reach out to hug Alptraum or offer any other physical form of affection, now that she's back to her full-on Goddess aspect. "I will see you soon. Just.. follow the flies to find my Sister."
Alptraum rises and even if Sunala doesn't show any affection, he does. He walks to the other side of the table and hugs Sunala. "Soon. I promise," he says, then turns away and walks ... and that means following the buzzing of the flies. "Has the new Yodhgorphat already bored Her?" he wonders.
The flies lead away from the garden, and into one of the buildings that support it. They also increase in number, becoming an annoying swarm as they lead Alptraum deeper into the structure. Light comes from high skylights, and a large one illuminates the room the flies eventually take the bat too. It resembles the main shrine at the Temple of Gorphat.. but seems more Gephesa-like. Which would explain the 'pretty' version of Gorphat that lounges on a couch. She's firm and a 'healthy' green, like an Eeee version of Taahira.
There are still a few Yodhmagog bounce-walking around the room though, like bizarre sheep.
"Gorphat? Gephesa? You have summoned me?" Alptraum calls out to the shrine before him.
"Should I not have called you?" the Goddess asks, sitting up and smiling.
"I was visiting with Sunala," Alptraum points out. "But ... you have need of me? Is something wrong with the new Yodh?"
"She is still.. accepting her position," Gorphat-Gephesa says, rolling a hand. "She isn't as fun as you are yet. And I need to check up on the dear buck's condition."
"She will never be as fun as me," Alptraum claims, "Nicora is ... quite special and I wish that form to always be your special Yodh, challenged like no other." He pauses at the buck and winces, remembering that. "Ah yes, and the ... buck. I was worried you were going to leave that worm within him forever."
Alptraum then approaches and kneels before the Goddess.
"Oh, I couldn't do that," the Goddess notes, and reaches out to touch Alptraum's forehead with her forefinger. This causes him to transform into Bucktraum.. and feel the ache in his groin.
Alptraum winches as ache comes and he feels his body shift about. Wings gone, ears thinner and loner ... big teeth, and an aching groin that he has to reach down and hold. The memories of what happened last time are still fresh. "I can return in person to the Temple," he offers meekly. The buck is utterly subservient to Gorphat, after all.
"Not just yet," Gorphat says, and gestures for the Lapi to stand up.
The lapi rises up slowly, ears twitching. He's terrified, but his body cannot react appropriately. He looks as aroused as ever thanks to Gorphat's curse tattooed upon his flesh.
The tattoo itself is obscured. The holes left in the flesh from the parasite are still there, and are black around the edges. Blood and pus oozes from them, and black and green veins form a network linking them all up on the surface. There's a foul odor of decay as well. Gorphat takes it in her hand, and gives a squeeze.. cause more corruption to ooze out. "Hmmm, no.. this just won't do," she says. "It's gone all leprous."
Bucktraum grits his teeth. "Can't you heal it?" the buck whimpers as he looks down. His legs are trembling at this point too. "You own this form completely..."
"I have a better idea!" Gorphat says, and turns Bucktraum to the side, so that he's facing one of the Yodhmagog. The maggot-Eeee-thing licks its lips and starts galumphing forward on its bulbous breast-feet.
Bucktraums ears go flat. "Mother ... not those things," he squeaks! The memory of that dream is fresh in his memory. He does not want them nibbling on him!
"Now now, I know best," Gorphat claims.. still cupping Bucktraum and wiggling him at the approaching monster. The Yodhmagog moves surprisingly quickly, and glomps down on the Lapi's semi-rotting member. And since necrotic flesh is like candy to the creature, she starts to eat it.
"Augh, no!" the lapi cries out! It's part of his body after all! He's used to nog having such as a girl ... but as a guy?
"Don't wiggle," Gorphat says over the horrible munching sounds. "She needs to get all of the contamination.. but you don't want her to accidentally bite off the fruit as well.."
"They're useless without the main bit," the buck thinks, and losing them might be a favor at this point. "Why are you doing this to me?" the buck whimpers to Gorphat. "I have served you faithfully."
"And you will continue to do so," Gorphat says cheerfully. There's a sudden, final jerk as the Yodhmagog tears away the last of the ruined flesh, which leaves a very nasty wound. The maggot-creature doesn't even mind having her face covered in blood as she chews away happily on her prize. "Now we can do something about it," Gorphat promises, and Bucktraum feels lightheaded.. and also squirmy. As in, something is squirming down there.
The removal causes the lapi to scream! He'd drop to his knees save for Gorphat supporting him. Bucktraum feels like vomitting. Only he holds that back as he doesn't want a repeat of the dream he had before. The squirming only makes the urge worse ... and as mush as he doesn't want to look down at the horrible wound, he looks down.
It looks like there are maggots moving around under the skin around the wound. The bleeding has stopped, but there are fine, hair-like tendrils emerging now and flailing about, often sticking to the undamaged flesh around the area.
Bucktraum's eyes go wide! "What is happening?" he squeaks, high pitched. He also goes up on his toes as if it would let him escape his own groin.
"Well, you can't go around without something," Gorphat says. "Luckily, a bit of Nicora's past can help here.." There's flesh appearing now, looking like.. a fat worm. It's still throwing out filaments that burrow or cling to the Lapi's crotch. When the 'tip' of the worm splits open into five stubby tentacles it's a bit more clear: Bucktraum is birthing another of Blarf's kin.. but it's also digging its roots into him instead of trying to escape.
"Augh!" cries the Lapi as he grabs at his crotch! "This can't be happening!" the buck thinks! "How will I function? I can't even relieve my waste like this!" If it wasn't painful enough, it's beyond wrong!
"Can't Nicora just start birthing them again?" the lapi pleads of Gorphat.
The still-growing worm stings Bucktraum's fingers with its tendrils in self-defense. "You don't want my blessing?" Gorphat asks in reply. "I'm doing this to improve you. All of my challenges are to make people stronger, after all.."
"No, no, I want your blessings," the lapi quickly says as he has to yank his hands back. The buck just isn't sure this is a blessing.
Fueled by the buck's own blood, the wormling grows quickly. Given how big Blarf got, however.. hopefully this one has a limit. It does seem to slow down as it approaches the size of the appendage being replaced, though. It also takes on a similar texture to skin.
And this causes Bucktraum to wonder, will it also still have the same ache and problem the old one did? Gorphat's priaprism curse?
The final transformation is the tentacles closing up to create a somewhat knobby head (although they still seem capable of independent movement). It looks.. almost normal. However, it's clear that it has some sort of hydraulic muscular system and other structural supports.
And Bucktraum ... pokes at it to see if he feels it. "What has she done to me?" he wonders
Sensation is a bit dull at first.. but the touch triggers the tendrils to expand and entwine further with the old nerves.
Bucktraum draws in a deep breath, ears twitching. "Will it also be cursed like the old one?" he asks in a near whisper. He continues to poke and prod at it a bit, feeling it out.
"Well, it is what it is," Gorphat notes, as the sensations become more distinct. "It will not shrink, certainly, and can become rigid enough. The rest of that blessing has more to do with your brain and other bits. But this one should respond to those as well. I'm just not certain if it will stay attached. After all, if it finds the environment it's put into more to its liking, it might just stay there. But then I'm sure you'll just grow another replacement!"
Bucktraum pulls at the tip some to see if it does come apart and if it does ... what's beneath those tendrils. "I'll keep regrowing them?" he asks, sounding ... both horrified and surprised.
"Maybe.." Gorphat says. "If there are enough seeds left."
The tip opens up and grabs at the probing finger. This causes Bucktraum's tongue to tingle. Those little tentacles have a sense of taste.
"Can I get more to be safe?!" the lapi asks quickly. He doesn't want to be bare there! The taste then makes the buck blink and he, er, probes at it with that finger. "Er, how do I pee?" the buck also finally asks. That's a real concern!
"There's a tube through the symbiote.." Gorphat notes. "I imagine it has it's own internal sphincters and pumping muscles as well."
"It isn't going to do anything .... weird is it?" the lapi asks, as if it isn't doing weird things already. "It won't lay eggs or anything, right?"
The green goddess shrugs. "It might?" she guesses.
"And I will still ... 'service' you with this?" the lapi asks, ears quivering.
"Oh certainly.. although I expect you to use more than just that.." Gorphat says with a grin.
The lapi's ears go up. "Like...?" he asks nervously. With Gorphat, such a comment could mean anything.
"You have lips, and a tongue, and fingers.. and ears.." Gorphat begins to list.
Bucktraum ohs and nods. "I like using my lips and tongue," he admits. "It is an intimate kiss for my Mistress," the lapi says as his ears flush.
The Buck's new appendage wiggles around a bit, and bends in ways the original could not. Gorphat coos, and tickles it with a finger.
This makes Nucktraum squeal! He does not like the idea this thing ... acts on its own!
"You just have to keep it happy," Gorphat says. "That shouldn't be too difficult, now should it?"
"What keeps it ... happy?" the buck asks warily as he shifts from foot to foot.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll figure it out," Gorphat says.
Alptraum bites his lower lip and nods meekly. He isn't going to argue the point. "Do you wish for me to return to the temple?" the buck asks. "And if so ... which form?"
Bucktraum bites, that is.
"You are always welcome at my Temple," Gorphat says. "And.. well, which form depends on my whim at the moment, I suppose." She taps her chin with a finger. "And of course, who I wish to reward or bless.."
Bucktraum nods at this. "I ... usually prefer Nicora when I am working at your temple. And that body does so love your blessings and rewards," the buck admits. "It adores you."
"It is my greatest creation," Gorphat notes, after covering the stunted ears of the nearby Yodhmagog still trying to lick all the blood from its face.
"One I am sure you will always enjoy refining," Bucktraum says as he tries to not look at the Yodhmagog.
"Normal people can't take what Nicora could," Gorphat says, shaking her head slightly. "I could decorate the Yodhmagog.. but it would be wasted on them. Yodhgorphat are seen after all, not them."
"Nicora takes pride in taking beyond what normal people can," Bucktraum admits. "Slimy and oozy is how she likes to be."
Bucktraum also continues to poke and prod at the part of him that is, and isn't, him, just to see what it does and what sensations it causes.
Some of the prodding causes odd reactions. The texture and shape of the thing can change, becoming bumpy or rough for texture and 'contracting' into a more barrel shaped form, making it very wide and short.
"This is ... odd," the lapi thinks, ears quivering as he looks down.
"And it still aches! the lapi laments. It's not even really him and the ache of priaprism is still strong in him.
"Really?" Gorphat asks.. and grabs the end of the creature and.. stretches it to see how far it can deform. This feels.. exactly as Bucktraum expects. Just because it's stretchier doesn't make it any less unpleasant.
"I think you can make shapes with it.." Gorphat says, clearly entertained.
Bucktraum squeaks! He holds still because it is Gorphat, but his body trembles widely. "Can Nicora get more seeds so that I'll have enough in case it ... comes off?" he says with a wince.
"Well, it can be Nicora," Gorphat says, after giving up trying to create a knot. "It could be the buck, or even the doe."
"Er, how would I get them?" the buck asks, "Or Nicora, or the doe?"
"Why.. by letting Blarf eat you of course, just like last time," Gorphat notes.
"So, Nicora has to make love to Blarf? And let him sort of fertilize her?" the lapi inquires, just to be sure.
"Any of my special forms should be compatible," Gorphat notes.
"Yes, but Nicora likes it," Bucktraum admits.
"There may be some side effects of having too many spores," Gorphat claims, and grins. "Wouldn't that be interesting?"
"Are there other side effects ... or just this?" Bucktraum asks and gestures at his symbiotic 'graft'. "What sort of side effects?"
The goddess.. shrugs. "Maybe new growths, or alterations of existing forms.. Blarf is very versatile."
Bucktraum twitches.
Bucktraum also tries, well, stroking the symbiote to see how it reacts.
It reacts like the real thing, becoming a bit more rigid.. and bigger. It's actually more impressive than the original in that state. And it changes colors, pulsating in blues and greens and reds that move in bands across the surface.
"I ... think I can adapt to having this," the buck concedes, letting out a slow breath as he tries to calm down.
"You haven't tried it out yet," Gorphat notes. "It may not be pleasant if it detaches, after all."
Bucktraum kneels before Gorphat again. "Shall I service you in thanks for your ... blessing?" the lapi asks of the Goddess. He must be her servant if he is calling this thing a blessing.
"Well, is this because you want to test it out, or because you desire me?" Gorphat asks. Of course, in her Gephesa form she's not that different from Phlagaea, but with the divine aura of beauty added on top.
"Because I desire you and wish to serve you. I am offering to serve you with lips and tongue, not ... this, to show that," the lapi says and pats his disturbing bit.
"But that is the best part," Gorphat coos, and strokes the symbiote, which causes a cascade of colors and a lot of pleasant sensations for Bucktraum.. and also several hormonal reactions.
Bucktraum squirms under the touch. "It is what you want?" he asks. There are risks ... and he'll taste things. Well, he would the other way too, admittedly.
Gorphat nods and smiles, and then lounges back on the couch invitingly.
And Bucktraum, ever the servant, crawls up on the Goddess. He actally licks her as he goes, from between her legs up to her neck as he gets into ... position. The next part requires him to use his hand a bit to position the new appendage at Gorphat's 'wound'. Once positioned, he makes sure things part as he moves his hips forward to place her latest 'blessing' within her. All the while the poor lapi's ears are quivering in fear. Few ever lie with Gorphat and come away completely unscathed, after all.
There are a lot more sensations involved. There's taste of course, and closely related scent - since the new appendage seems to be at least partly self-guiding. And when the head splits (involuntarily) into its five fingers, it's like having five separate heads in terms of sensitivity.
The poor buck doesn't really know how to react! He's lost in the barrage of sensations. Good thing his hips know, as they start moving on their own while he babbles and gasps. For the moment, he seems to have forgotten the part hat it could come off, and instead is going at Gorphat like, well, a bunny!
Things seem well rooted for the time being.. until the climax. The symbiote swells to lock into place, and the release that passes through it seems to trigger it to disconnect. As intense as the release is.. the followup is intense in other ways. The fibers have to be pulled out of the nerves, blood vessels disconnected, and the 'feet' of the mini-Blarf unrooted from the Buck's flesh. It's messy and painful, to be sure!
"Augh!" cries the buck in agony! He wasn't expecting it to come off the first time. He's not even sure he actually climaxed himself, or the creature did. Instead, it hurts. By the time it ends, the buck has rolled to his side, grabbing his groin, and crying! How could he ever use that thing again if this is always how it ends? And what sort of girl would want it left inside them anyway? And ... he doesn't even know if another will regrow!
Gorphat is still writhing about.. the symbiote is still doing what it does to make her happy, suggesting something produced by female arousal is what it wants. Bucktraum stops bleeding soon enough, but it takes a few minutes before any squirming ensues.
The buck ... is actually glad when the squirming resumes. It means there was enough to regrow one. But ... he has to make sure there is enough ... and that means Nicora must go to Blarf before he ever does that again! He also cannot help himself and watches the new one .... regrow while Gorphat squirms.
The new one is a little slower to grow, and while it goes through all the same phases as the first, it looks slightly different at the end. Which could mean that each replacement will be different in some way, while still being functional. For one thing, this one only seems to have gold and purple chromatophores.
Bucktraum ... isn't sure what he thinks about this. He just has one hope ... THAT HE WAKES UP SOON FROM THIS NIGHTMARE!