Rostre has actually cleaned up her laboratory. The empty cages and exposed pots of stuff have been removed or put away, the smell of formaldehyde is being combated by sticks of fragrant incense and the floor is even swept. The mage herself has also cleaned up, with skin freshly shed and the scales polished. There's some muted makeup around her eyes, and she's 'dressed' in a sort of skirt with lots of colorful scarves over her torso, neck and arms.. and a lone bow tied to the tip of her tail.
"Did they work?" the Spirit Mage asks as soon as she sees Alptraum carrying the basket with the wine bottles in it.
"Yes, they worked," Alptraum says as he pulls out and holds up the specific bottle holding the Sabbaoth. He then shakes it violently, because, well, the man was horrible. "I don't know if it hates that or not, but I hope so," he adds rather dryly. It's also about then that he blinks and comments, "Wow, you changed your look."
"Oh.. you noticed?" Rostre asks. Her posture hasn't changed much, however - she still slouches a bit as she slithers over to a table and picks up a tuning fork. She then comes over to Alptraum, and taps the fork against the bottle. It makes a tone, of course, but Rostre licks the instrument. "Mmmm, yes. Tastes like drunken rage," she confirms. "Once the wine has been converted fully to vinegar, I imagine the spirit will experience a sort of hangover as well."
"Noticed? It is pretty obvious," Alptraum comments, brow arching a little. "He was a bit harder to collect, given his age, but even he must bend to my will eventually. And he thought he could become me. Pst."
"Oh, did he try anything?" Rostre asks, forgetting the tuning fork for the moment. "And the High Princess? I'm very curious as to the state you found them in and how uncooperative they may have been. The Princess died as part of a ritual after all, and the Sabaoth.. technically.. probably died several times."
"The princess seemed rather out of it, and sad. I do suspect she is Amenlichli's link, though. She was manipulating her," Alptraum remarks and lifts that bottle out. "She was glad to see me; I think I gave her final peace just by being."
"So.. that's normal is it?" Rostre asks, leaning in closer to examine the bottle with the Princess in it. "But.. no demons tormenting her or worshipers singing praises?"
"The Sabbaoth did try to fight and resist me collecting him, and claimed he could still take me. The fact he's now in a bottle dispels that idea," Alptraum explains. The question causes him to switch topics again and he says, "No, she was alone, surrounded by things even more phantom than her. I honestly couldn't hate her; I felt sorry for her."
"The Barsunala is known for compassion," Rostre recites. "Oh, and I was able to examine that sample you left for me!" she says, with a bit more animation. "But I'm also just really happy that the wine trick worked!"
"I did not feel sorry for the Sabbaoth, though," Alptraum points out. "But yes, in general, it is hard to be angry at someone in the twilight of their existence. .. Were you worried it wouldn't work?"
"A little bit," Rostre admits. "I'd never tried such a thing before, and the magic involved is.. more sympathetic in nature." She then looks around before whispering, "Technically it is witchcraft."
"And technically I'm a demon," Alptraum points out. "I'm more of a violation of rules than you did."
"Well, that only counts if the rules even apply," Rostre notes, waving a hand. "Your 'shadow' isn't made of Shadow Magic, exactly. Or Spirit Magic, exactly.. It's something unique and alien that mixes the properties of Shadow, Spirit and Life Magic all together! Your sample was very high in Spirit and Life, but I was wary of trying to use it as a spell component. Although I'm sure a Yodhinala could. I even watched for hours just to see if it would.. do something."
"Did it?" Alptraum has to ask. "I think highly unlikely, though."
"After awhile I was really hoping it would start crawling around or making shapes or something," Rostre admits with a sigh. "But it just sat there. I don't think the seminal fluid had any special properties, just the sperm itself, so.. it was silly to think it would do anything that would actually be visible."
"What, you were hoping it would do this?" Alptraum asks as a myriad of shadow tendrils extend from his body and coil about like some sort of Eeee tentacle monster.
So of course Rostre pokes at one of them. "Well.. yes. Why wouldn't I?" she asks. "I'm used to Spirit Magic manifesting somehow."
The tendrils wrap all around and over the Naga's arm, then into it. It feels like worms beneath the skin.
"My!" Rostre says, eyes wide as she tries to move her arm. "Transmaterialization.." she hisses. Finally she blinks and asks, "What.. what are you actually doing to my arm?"
"Nothing, yet. But I could," Alptruam remarks. "I could remove it, or turn it into some other creature's arm. But, I won't." The tendrils withdraw and he shrugs a little. "Like I said, I'm a demon."
"How would you turn it into a different sort of arm?" Rostre asks, acting excited.
"I can, well, apply the shape of another creature to it if I wanted. That's one of the abilities of the shadow," Alptraum notes and shrugs. "It isn't easy at all, but it's possible."
"Any shape from any creature?" Rostre asks, now sounding a bit skeptical. "How do you know the shapes? Or is like illusion?"
"Any creature I have been able to examine in detail. I require a sample to copy," Alptraum explains. "And no illusion. I can actually change someone's species completely. Even gender. It's not permanent, though, unless anchored with the Light of Nala."
"How could you possibly examine anything at the needed level of detail though?" Rostre asks. "You must use the morphogenic spirit! Or.. does it involve dissection?"
"I use the shadow. It feels like being licked from the inside out," Alptraum answers. "Odd, yes, but true."
"And the original isn't damaged?" Rostre asks.
"Not unless I deliberately damage it," Alptraum answers. "Why all the questions?"
"I'm a Spirit Mage," Rostre points out. "I know that it isn't difficult to copy a psyche spirit, but the morphogenic spirit is mostly just a theory. But I'm sure it exists! There's a plant on Abaddon that can supposedly copy it and use it to make a plant duplicate. That's a big deal! If you can change people then you must be accessing that spirit somehow as well. I'm sure there's a practical use for something like that."
"Yes, but the skill isn't exactly duplicate-able. It's part of the creature I fused with," Alptraum points out and sits on the edge of one of the desks. "And it cost me this," he adds and holds up his horrible-looking right hand.
"But you still have a hand," Rostre notes. "Just.. a more interesting one. Can you show me the process?"
"What? Change someone?" Alptraum asks. "There is only myself and you here."
"Well.. the scanning process, really," Rostre says. "At least to start with!" She thing tries to 'smile cutely', which just leaves her mouth partially gaping open.
"You want me to scan you?" Alptraum clarifies, to be sure.
"Would you?" Rostre asks. "Strictly for research purposes, of course!"
"All right. Just ... don't panic," Alptraum says as he slips off the desk and walks over. He places his hand upon her shoulder, brow furrowing. His hand twitches, then shadow oozes out, flowing out like a thick oil, over the snake, wrapping her in glistening ooze. "Lights out," he says right before her head is swallowed and she plunges into darkness! That's when it gets interesting, though, as the shadow sinks in, through, and feels like every cell is being caressed, licked, and probed!
It isn't clear what's going through Rostre's mind (well, besides the shadow in a literal sense). She's 'frozen' for the duration of the kenning, as usual.
Alptraum tries to keep himself calm as this also tends to well, rile him up a bit in specific ways. So, there's a lot of forced, calming, breathing, as the process goes on. Soon, though, it finishes and he draws the shadow back to himself and lets out a long breath.
There's a gasp from Rostre.. and then Alptraum finds himself wrapped in Naga coils as the mage 'hugs' him. She even tries to give him an awkward kiss, as she is anything but calm.
"Breathe! Breathe!" Alptraum squeaks and squirms! Since he cannot go anywhere, the kiss lands; awkward and all. He might be saying calm down several more times, but it's a bit garbled while kissing a serpent!
Breathing is a bit hard given the hug, but Rostre does relent quickly enough, looking embarrassed. "Ah.. sorry.. unless that happens all the time.." she says, trying to untangle herself from the Eeee. "Does being changed feel that way too?" she asks.
"It can, though it mostly feels strange and disconcerting. Becoming something different has an affect on the mind," Alptraum says as he tries to collect himself and look properly respectable.
"Well.. what can you change me into?" Rostre presses next, still a bit buzzed.
"I'm not going to change you," Alptraum says and pats the snake's shoulders. "Too dangerous. You might want to stay that way."
The Naga looks stricken. "But.. but! Magic!" she says, and clutches her hands together. "Are you saying you think I have low self-esteem or body image issues?"
"What would you even what to be?" Alptraum inquires.
The serpent licks her lips, and seems to think. "Well.. something with legs," she says. "And breasts! So.. a mammal. Mammals are always warm. Probably should still have some kind of tail though.."
"Legs? Are you sure?" Alptraum inquires as he reaches out and places his hand upon the naga's shoulder again.
"I've always wondered," Rostre says. Then blinks and starts to unwrap her scarves and skirt. "Probably shouldn't be wearing clothes for this!"
"Generally a bad idea, yes," Alptraum tends to agree. And he waits until snake is naked ... and out the shadow flows again! The target form, a fnerf! One he hasn't used very often, in fact. Ironically it was a Fnerf that really started Nikky's interest in big guys; the male on the ship. He shakes his head, clearing that from his mind so he can focus on the shift to a female fnerf. Male might be a little too freaky for the Naga.
The transformation is not a quick one, given the extreme nature of the change. At least the mass isn't that different, given how heavy the typical Naga is. But eventually a shaggy vixen-taur emerges. There are legs in abundance and a big floofy tail and big floofy breasts as well. The taurid form may even be easier for a Naga to adjust to!
Rostre wobbles on her multiple legs all the same, and takes a moment to get her upper torso and tail under control. "Whooo.. this is.. this is.. this is very warm.." she manages to say. She hasn't even attempted to walk yet.
Or at least be easier to balance. Four legs are easier than two in that respects. He withdraws the shadow once it is done and steps back in case there is another hugging attack.
Going from zero legs to four is giving Rostre some issues, but she manages to take a full step forward. Then she waggles her tail around (and it's a good thing the place has been cleaned - less to knock over). Then she squeezes her new chest pieces. "They're squishy!" she barks in laughter. "How do I make them work?"
"What do you mean, make them work? They only do stuff if you're pregnant," Alptraum points out, brow arched. He also rubs his neck, commenting, "I really should not have done this."
"Really? I didn't know that," Rostre admits. "Do I look pretty?" she then asks, assuming that all mammals look pretty to one another.
"You look very fluffy," Alptraum says politely. "I did warn you it would be strange."
"I wish I had a brush now," Rostre notes, dropping her breasts to feel over her ears. "Or a mirror.."
"There are no mirrors in the tower?" Alptraum inquires. That seems a bit odd to him.
"I have one in my bedroom but it is just a hand-held one," Rostre notes. "Nagas only need them to see their face.. we can see the rest without one." She twists her upper torso as much as possible. "My butt is huge.."
Alptraum leans to the side. "Quite. It's enormous," he agrees and even nods. "Anyway, I should change you back..."
"Already?" Rostre asks. "Is there anything you'd rather change me into?"
"No? That's the most mass-close body I know," Alptraum admits, "That isn't reptilian. I'm more worried about how you'll react being like that for a while. Is there something you want to do while like that?"
Alptraum runs his hands through his hair. "What is it you are hoping from me?" the Eeee asks honestly. "Are you trying to be something you think I would like more?"
"Hmm," Rostre thinks. "I've always wanted Augustus to buy me a drink, but I can't go out naked so.. that probably wouldn't happen anyway. I'm mostly trying to figure out how this is done. But it's clearly a Spirit and Life Magic merger. I suppose you can turn me back.. wait! What happens if you don't turn me back? Would I stay like this or would my morphogenic spirit reassert itself?"
"It would reassert itself over time. You'd shift back, slowly," Alptraum says. "It's not painful, just really, really, odd."
"Interesting," Rostre notes, and tries to flick her tongue but just ends up licking her nose. "At some point, assuming I can find a volunteer, I would really like to observe that. But.. for now I suppose I should return to normal?"
"OR you can experience it yourself. I can leave you this way and let you change back over time," Alptraum offers.
"I'm not sure I could properly observe if it was happening to myself," Rostre notes.
"You'll be well aware of it happening," Alptraum offers. "But, your call. Do you want to at least stay this way a while?"
"Well.. maybe a little while," Rostre admits. "I'd hoped to do some drinking after all. I've got a bottle stashed away here though."
"Well, then it stays," Alptraum declares as finality. "And you'll revert slowly unless there's a need to speed it up. You wanted an experience, so that will be one."
"I'd better make sure I can fit into my bed then!" Rostre says and carefully turns herself around so she can go to the doorway to the connecting room of the former suite.
And Alptraum ... politely waits. He wasn't invited, after all.
Once the giant tail has vanished through the doorway, Rostre calls out, "Are you coming?"
Alptraum laughs, shakes his head, and follows.
Rostre's bed is, of course, a giant bowl. Still, the Fnerf manages to fit by curling up. There's a dresser as well, and a few personal effects. "The bottom drawer," she says, pointing to the dresser.
Alptraum goes to the dresser and opens the bottom drawer. "I ... I have to admit I am amazed I do not scare you. I mean, I can do some pretty strange things and you aren't bothered at all," he admits.
There are a few bottles in the drawer (some empty) and jars for use as glasses. "Well, I'm very curious by nature, and also very bored," Rostre notes. "And that scanning.. mmmmm! I liked that. Oh.. how do I eat now? My jaw doesn't unhinge anymore!"
"You just bite, chew, and swallow," Alptraum explains, "No swallowing whole while like that." He grabs one of the bottles that isn't empty and looks like booze, and also a couple glasses. These he brings over to the bed to join the fnerf.
There's space in the center for Alptraum to sit, using the side of Rostre as a sort of couch-back.
Alptraum settles in that center and uses Rostre as a sofa. He then works on the bottle's stopper so that he can open, then sniff the contents to see what it is.
It's definitely not a typical booze.. probably made more for Nagas and other reptiles, which could mean anything. It does smell strong though, but there isn't much in the way of other odors, so it might be flavorless.
Alptraum pours some of the liquor into the glass and offers it to Rostre. Once the Fnerf takes the glass, he'll pour one for himself.
"Wow it really smells different," Rostre notes, wrinkling her nose. "And I imagine I can taste things now, won't I?" she asks, then has a sip.. and immediately coughs. "Oh.. that's about right, yeah.." she wheezes.
Alptraum smirks, then takes a drink himself.
The alcohol may be just that; pure alcohol with nothing blended into it. Ideal for creature with no sense of taste and very dense bodies.
Alptraum ends up coughing now! "That is not smooth," he wheezes.
"I think that might be the one you soak wads of cloth in, then swallow that," Rostre notes.. and takes another sip anyway.
Alptraum takes another sip himself. Coughing, he says, "Just be careful. That body is different and will react differently."
"That's why I'm sipping," Rostre says. "Can fnerfs even get drunk?"
"Of course they can. Just about every species can," Alptraum says as he sips again. He's also paying attention to how he feels to make sure he doesn't get too drunk himself.
"What do you want me to do with the spirit bottles?" Rostre finally thinks to ask. "Just.. make sure they don't start leaking?"
"Actually, I would like to see if you can tell if Amenlichli does have links to either one," Alptraum explains as he sits up a bit. "You have more experience and knowledge about her magic than I do."
"And better, if you can trace the link back to where she's hiding these days," Alptraum adds.
"Ah, yes, I think I can do that," the Mage says, waving her jar. "At least, detecting if there's a link."
"Is there anything else you would want from me as payment?" Alptraum asks.
A big floofy tail flops across Alptraum, and Rostre says, "Well, this whole experience is a pretty hefty payment. Once I get my monitoring spells set up, I should be able to learn a lot. And I can cuddle now that I'm all soft and have these pillows.."
"Being able to cuddle is important?" Alptraum inquires, brow raised again. He also pokes at the tail.
"I've always wanted to try it," Rostre claims, and downs the last of her drink, letting out an impressive belch. "As a constrictor, I have the urge but very little opportunity. Now.. in case things do get too weird for me to handle, Cyprian knows how to get in touch with you, right?"
"Well, he knows how to contact the Shrine Maiden, who knows how to contact me," Alptraum explains. "If you decide you want to stay this way, that can also be arranged. That is if you can promise to not confiscate the Light of Nala."
"Ah.. the Light of Nala really exists then," Rostre says, sounding a bit slurry instead of hissy now. "That's where you get the energy to do this stuff?" she asks.
"Well, one of the ways, yes," Alptraum agrees. "Also, you probably shouldn't drink any more."
Alptraum says, "Feeling bad? Headache?"
"I can handle my lick.. licking," the Mage claims, before her upper torso sort of falls foward and around onto her side at the edge of the bowl.
"Pillows.." the fnerf mutters drowsily.
Alptraum sighs. He sets his glass aside and tries to upright that huge torso.
"I'm awake proctor," Rostre claims without opening her eyes. Once 'upright' she just leans backwards instead, which isn't that far given the limits of her new double-spine.
"Yeah, you're gone," Alptraum says. He tries to shift that torso into a less uncomfortable-looking position before extracting himself from the bowl. "I should let you sleep."
"Why yes, Gusty, you can comb my tail.." the mage mutters. It's hard to tell what's a comfortable position for a fnerf. They're surprisingly flexible in certain directions, less so in others. At least, she can still fit inside the bowl.
Alptraum ends up having her sort of leaning over such that her spine isn't bent so badly. He then pats the top of Rostre's head. "Just rest. I ought to change you back, but you also want to experience this so ... " he says, then sighs. He had at least best tell Cyprian on the way out so no one panics.