The Cenestas prefer a more diurnal schedule than most Eeee, since construction work is best handled in daylight. So it isn't a great surprise when a light scratching is heard at the door to the guest suite early in the morning.
Alptraum has shifted back by now. While his impishness would have generally gotten him to shift during breakfast, he'd rather not give them heart attacks. So, he grabs the large jacket and pulls it on, clawcombs his hair a bit, then goes to answer the door. "Usually I'm the one who knocks," he says as he opens the door. "But, I'll make allowances, this time..."
A Savanite girl in a maid's uniform stands outside. She has a lot of curly black hair. She smiles and bows to Alptraum, and makes an eating gesture before tilting her head, as if asking if Alptraum is ready for breakfast.
"/I know sign,/" Alptraum signs to her, /And yes, I am, thank you." There's a pause, then he smiles and signs, "/And do please tell me your name?/"
"Alice Sennel," the maid signs back, and lifts her chin. The latter motion is possibly a show of pride, since it bares her collar-less throat. "Please follow me, sir," she signs.
"I would be honored to, Alice," Alptraum signs in response. When she begins walking, he'll follow.
The maid leads Alptraum towards the core of the tower, then down a spiral stair to a lower level. There's warm air and food odors rising up, and they're soon in a large, bustling kitchen. Savanites, Eeee and Naga are busy preparing meals (or in the Naga's case, waking up various small creatures) suitable to their own species.
Alptraum follows the savanite maid, and makes sure to admire her discretely. "I hope my being here has not caused you too much more work," he tells Alice. His ears, and eyes flick about as he enters the kitchen. HE's never been in here before, and he's oddly nervous about being here as, well, himself.
It hardly seems the sort of area that a Lord and Lady would be found in, as just beyond the kitchen are some buffet lines where the various foodstuffs are set out, so that people can fill their plates as they like. There are plenty of insects, but also things like sausage, meatballs and what are probably eggs, along with fruits and vegetables. The Naga buffet is being loaded up with critters in little cages. It takes a moment to spot Lord Cenesta, the only all-gray Eeee, wearing a simple tunic and trousers as he fills two plates. Lady Cenesta is at a table with three chairs, and is pouring tea.
Alice heads for one of the buffets, and hands Alptraum a plate before taking one for herself.
Alptraum rubs his forehead after getting the plate. "Well, this will be .... interesting," he comments to himself. He draws in a few deep breaths, then heads towards the Cenestas. He at least waits the tea is poured before he speaks up, "Ah, good morning. I'm afraid your guest left last night. I took his place for a bit," he admits. "I hope that does not offend. If it does, then I apologize and will leave quietly." Then he pauses and says in Felstaad's voice, "I can imitate anvone, completely," He grins sheepishly.
"You weren't able to do that last time we chatted," Lady Cenesta says with a smile, and gestures for Alptraum to sit down. "I hope you don't mind the hustle and bustle, but setting up something more private might have raised eyebrows. Besides, I'm sure some of the people here remember you anyway. Do you take cream or sugar? We're out of honey, I'm afraid."
"A lot of things have changed since then," Alptraum admits and sets the empty plate down on the table. "Regarding the party, well, that is the best way for someone to disappear quietly. Crowds are best to blend in and slip out. As for tea, straight is fine; I don't wish to trouble anyone," he adds and settles himself down on the chair.
"We're family, dear," Aryadne notes, and pours Alptraum a cup of tea. "We're supposed to trouble each other. It's a sign of affection." She also eyes the empty plate, and gives Alptraum a genuine 'you aren't eating enough' grandmother look.
"There isn't much here I can eat," Alptraum apologizes after the glance. He takes the teacup, then sips from it gently. "I also hope that, well, me being here won't cause too many problems. I know of the talk about me on the streets."
"Oh, it won't be any worse than the talk about us, I'm sure," Aryadne says, sitting down herself. Lord Cenesta arrives then, setting a dish full of fruits and a muffin down in front of Aryadne, while having a plate piled with sausage and bugs and meatballs in front of himself. Lady Cenesta just sighs at the sight. "Really Bram, you wouldn't build an outhouse with that sort of material, so how is it you can build your body out of it?"
"You would be surprised what you can build a body out of," Alptraum mutters to himself. Upon the Lord's arrival, Alptraum grows silent. It's funny how you can stare down Gods, and be terrified by relatives.
"Because it tastes good gives me authoritative amounts of gas," Lord Cenesta says. He then grins at Alptraum, and notes, "Well, it's taken a while, but we can finally share a meal together." He then frowns at his cup of tea. He's probably a Morning Mateh sort of man.
"And one of the ironies of that is few would want to share a meal with me," Alptraum points out as he fidgets with his tea cup. "Sorry, this is ... different for me. I'm not usually worried when I talk to people."
"We aren't people, we're your grandparents," Bram points out, waggling a sausage at Alptraum. "That makes us better than people. Last time it was us that were worried. But now you're independent of the Yodhsunala, it seems.. and.. well.. everything else has changed too."
"More has changed than you know. The Yodh sort of .. listen to me now," Alptraum admits and shrugs a little. "Life turned on its head thanks to my trip back to Sylvania."
"Are you doing alright back there?" Aryadne asks. "Did you ever find your little green friend?"
"I found her. And a lot more," Alptraum admits as he shifts around uncomfortably. "I'm ... well ... engaged to the Countess of Draco County. I'm also going to be a father." My, his teacup looks really interesting right now.
Both of the Cenestas stop whatever they're doing, and then hold hands with one another. "A father!" Bram says proudly. "And engaged to a Countess!" Aryadne says. "This is wonderful news!"
"It's not important that she's a Countess. She just stole my heart when I met her," Alptraum mumbles to his teacup. "This was during a quest to find the Well of Souls and the Light of Nala. I then dedicated everything I was to try to help her and well ... things happened."
"Oh my.. is the wedding being held up until you're finished with things here then?" Aryadne asks. Bram is still beaming at being a great-grandfather.
Alptraum nods. "Her request, actually. To settle things here. She knew I did not leave on good terms," he admits.
"It sounds like you're doing more than settling personal issues though," Bram says. "Do you need any help?"
"No. I am managing things here thanks to, well, events from Sylvania that have greatly enhanced my natural abilities," Alptraum tries to explain. "A lot of the street rumors are due to my efforts to clean the city."
"I've got a lot of extra work because of that," Bram says. "Lots of new workers to train! I like training."
Aryadne rolls her eyes. "At your age you should be letting your supers do it," she notes. "You just want the excuse to get your hands dirty."
"The hospices and such are directly my work," Alptraum says as he's still staring at the teacup. "Seems I made good on the things I wanted to do years ago. All of it did cost me, though, but it has been worth it."
"Oh dear, what sort of cost do mean?" Aryadne asks, and reaches over to put her hand over Alptraum's.
"My right arm," Alptraum explains a bit grimly as the disguised flesh squirms a little under Aryadne's hand. "I took a powerful weapon away from a very ancient evil and made its power mine. It's how I could appear as Felstaad," he explains. "It's also how I gave the Countess hope. She ... needed another like herself; she was alone. By taking the weapon and making it part of myself I became like her."
"My goodness," Aryadne says, looking concerned. Bram looks proud, however, and nods. "Making a sacrifice to help a worthy woman is something to be proud of, son."
"I doubt you would have heard of it, but I took the Shadow of Amena away from Amenlichli," Alptraum explains. "It's fused to me, giving me, well, a great variety of abilities and a longer life. The Countess is bound to something similar, but not by choice. She had to, for her family, when her father was killed by Galis. It left her utterly alone. I looked in her eyes and knew I had to help her. So I did."
"And this power isn't hurting you any?" Aryadne asks. "Long life is good and all, but you should be able to enjoy it too."
"It has some costs, but nothing that isn't manageable," Alptraum says and drinks the remainder of his tea. "And parts of it can be fun. Hey, as a former actor, being able to take on any persona can be endless amusement," he adds with a grin.
"Ah, so is that why you work with the Sphynx girl?" Bram asks. "She's a cutie.. also Sylvanian, isn't she?"
Aryadne pokes her husband in the shoulder for the 'cutie' remark. He responds by taking one of her grapes.
"Friend from Sylvania, yes. She's the one who roped me into the Well quest that started everything," Alptraum explains. "We look after each other."
"So she's the one that introduced you to your Countess?" Bram asks.
"Indirectly, yes," Alptraum says. "Her map took us through the County and we met her."
"It sounds like an adventure," Aryadne says. "But did you ever find your host family again? Isn't that why you went back?"
"I found them. They're fine," Alptraum says and nods, "Last I knew they were camping in Draco County and welcome to remain. Welcome to my life, families everywhere."
"You make it almost sound like a burden," Aryadne chides. "We're so glad just to have you."
"It just makes many things complicated, and I worry," Alptraum admits and smiles sheepishly. "I don't want any of you becoming targets. And truth be told, I always figured I was difficult for you."
"You're much better than the other one," Bram says. "It was such a relief to know that he wasn't our real grandson."
"Even if I'm overly spooky and somewhat supernatural?" Alptraum asks as he taps a clawtip against his teacup. "To many I'm a monster."
"You're a very polite boy," Aryadne says. "And you care about others. I think you're very strong to come back to Babel with all the mess and pain here."
"Oh, I can be very not-polite at times. The Yodh fear me," Alptraum admits, "But that is all many of them understand. Do understand that some of them are not bad people, but many are difficult and required specific ... motivation. I hate having to be the Barsunala in totality, but there are times it has been necessary."
"I've had to shout and chew out people myself," Bram says. "Even Lords. But things have to get done, and that usually takes precedence. You just have to cut through all the faff sometimes."
"Yes, but I have the additional risk if I go to far, very bad things can happen," Alptraum says, "I am your daughter's son, but I am also different because of how I was born. But I do understand what you mean. I just have to be extra careful, otherwise people get turned into hogs, or worse."
"Can't you just turn them back though?" Aryadne asks.
"Well, generally yes, but it's rather traumatic to the person," Alptraum says.
"Sounds like it could be educational," Bram claims, and pops a meatball into his mouth. "I can think of a few people that could stand a bit of enlightenment when it comes to self-awareness. Could you, hypothetically, turn someone into a copy of their slave, and their slave into a copy of the master?"
"That? Easily," Alptraum agrees. "I've mimicked several slaves before to infiltrate questionable houses."
After giving her husband a reproachful look, Aryadne asks, "Well, what about men into women. Maybe swap a husband and wife? If we're talking about enlightening folks to the plight of others, I mean."
Alptraum laughs. "Also possible," he says with a smirk. "Done it."
"Well.. I'm not condoning swapping people about, of course," Bram says quickly. "Just that it might help certain people.. see things more clearly, is all.."
"And yes, sometimes it can. I know someone who is happier who ... eh, you don't want to know about that," Alptraum says and waves his hand. "Is there anything you want to ask of me?" he inquires, "Or shall I leave your household to breakfast?"
"We just want to know that you're doing alright," Bram says. Aryadne adds, "And to make sure you know that you can always come here, for any reason at all."
"I'm doing all right. It's .. hard for me to come here and keep you safe. I would need to do it as someone else initially," Alptraum claims, "So that you are not targeted."
Alptraum then taps his head. "I do have a question," he admits, "Would you want to be invited to the wedding? Assuming I survive this city and it occurs."
"Of course!" Aryadne says. "It would be a vacation that Bram couldn't refuse," she beams.
"I imagine it would be held in a castle?" Bram asks. "Never scene a proper castle.."
"Yes, it would be in a castle. Admittedly a really spooky one, but a castle," Alptraum agrees.
"You'll need to give us a bit of advanced notice of course," Lord Cenesta claims. "Let us know as soon as you know the date."
Alptraum nods as he sets down the teacup to stop from fidgeting. "Well, I really should leave you in peace," he says and slowly rises. "It was good to see you again ... without all the risk of dying and imprisonment."
"And now that you've done it once, you shouldn't have any trouble doing it again, right?" Aryadne says, getting up as well so she can hug Alptraum before he can fully escape.
"Well, yes," Alptraum admits as he relents to the hug. It didn't take much force, really.
Lord Cenesta also rises, but doesn't hug. He waits for Aryadne to release Alptraum, then offers his hand.
Alptraum takes the offered hand, shakes it, then pulls Bram into a hug anyway. "I told you that uncomfortable things happen around me," he jokes.
"I was going to do this anyway," the old gray Eeee claims, returning the one-armed hug. "And if you need anything.. not just for yourself, but if you need someone else to get help with something.." he says.
"I'll keep you in mind," Alptraum agrees and pats the older Eeee on the back, then lets go. "Take care of yourself, because if you don't, I suspect your wife would beat you up."
"I think I can still take her," Bram claims, despite the sausage breath.
"Good luck with that," Alptraum says and grins.
The two elders release Alptraum and return to their breakfast. Alice is loitering nearby, however, nibbling on a muffin.
"Spying?" Alptraum signs to Alice.
Tucking the muffin into her cleavage for a moment, Alice signs back, "Waiting. I'm supposed to be your guide."
Alptraum smirks. "Felstaad's guide, I presume. I'm not quite him, but I don't mind the company," he signs to her. "I'm departing the tower."
"Do you know by which exit?" Alice asks. "I'm supposed to take you back to your room first though. You probably shouldn't be wearing the Chronotopian's coat when you leave."
"Well, the more private the exit, the better," Alptraum admits in sign, "And yes, I should leave the coat. Lead on, spotted one."
After retrieving her muffin, Alice leads the way back through the kitchen to the stairs.
"Note to self, don't tough her muffins," Alptraum thinks. Even if she does have a sexy butt from this angle.
Past the various shrines and other rooms they go, until they reach the guest suite.. where Alice stops suddenly in the hall. A gestures shows that the door is ajar.
Alptraum holds up a finger. He slips his coat off and offers it to Alice. "Take. I'll confront whomever is in there," he signs.
Taking the coat, Alice quietly moves back towards the wall. She looks worried, despite still having half-a-muffin in her cleavage.
Alptraum pats Alice's shoulder, then stands tall and walks towards the door. "These rooms are private," he says as he enters.
"Yeah, I know," Tulani says, sitting at the small table. There's an empty plate on it, and the grease on it suggests meatballs and sausage. The Sphynx is still licking some of it off of her fingers. "I'm here to extract you! Rejoice!"
"I was just going to walk out the door," Alptraum says and arches his brow. "I don't need a rescue..."
Alptraum then leans back out the door and signs to Alice, "It's fine. It's just Tulani."
"Who said it was a rescue?" Tulani says, then holds up a little sack and rattles it while grinning.
"Why in the world did you bring those?" Alptraum has to ask. "I was going back to the nest anyway."
The maid pokes her head past the doorframe to confirm this for herself, then nods to Alptraum and takes leans back against the hallway wall again, the big coat draped over her shoulders as she works on finishing her muffin.
"Because it would save a trip," Tulani notes. She also extracts a gaudy, sparkling loincloth from the bag. "It's not that far of a walk to Slaves to Art, where I need to meet with a contact."
Alptraum rubs his face. "You aren't serious?" he asks, with a long face. "You want me all spotted and silent?"
"And mostly naked too, don't forget," Tulani points out, literally raising a finger. "Now come over here so I can put the rings back into your wings. It's much easier to do those before the change."
Alptraum closes the door first, then heads over and turns his back on Tulani. "Why do I have to go?" he asks and looks over his shoulder. "You know what they are like there! My nose remembers what they are like there!"
"Because you give me a reason to be there, don't you?" Tulani points out, and spreads the various bits of bling on the table so she can find the ones that go into the wings. "I thought you liked the people there?"
"Oh I do! It's just I always tend to leave that place with a new hole to six," Alptraum comments and he gestures with his hand.
After hooking in the last wing-ring, Tulani says, "At least you won't need the tongue one. Now turn around towards me."
Alptraum turns around. "That's for the reminder of Sephia splitting the tongue into two parts," he remarks and rubs his forehead again. "I'm still not used to that."
"Well it's not like you were using it for anything else," Tulani teases, and starts putting in the earrings and stones in the proper holes.
"You have the same thing done, then tell me that," Alptraum huffs and crosses his arms over his chest. He does at least hold his ears still for Tulani.
"But you're the brave one!" Tulani says. "Plus if I agreed to anything, you'd find a way to make it about revenge.." She finishes with the ears and steps back. "Alright, the rest are easier when you're Pierce. Hard to find the holes when everything is black.."
Alptraum rolls his eyes and strips out of the remainder of his clothing. He sets it on the bed, then sits on the edge and closes his eyes. It has been a while since he's born a spotty body, so it takes a bit to find the pattern, then push it forward onto his body. He feels some of the shift, too, especially how his throat tightens up, making speech impossible. Also the wing collapse and butt-tail stretching is ... uncomfortable. But, when the shadow does finally withdraw, there's a spotted savanite on the bed edge.
"Ah, so cute and fluffy!" Tulani says and claps her hands together! Then she produces something like a big pair of tweezers. "Time to take out the grommet plugs," she says, "so flare those nostrils please."
Pierce's left brow twitches. His fingers tap on the bed, then he breathes out and flares his nostrils.
Tulani is fast at least, and there's not much tugging. The whole is quickly blocked again as the nose ring is clicked into place. The she's tugging on his lower lip, leaning in close to find the piercing hole for the lip ring.
Pierce relaxes his lip as much as he can, and even reaches up to feel and locate it. He indicates it using his claw to hook it and show it to Tulani. He also wants revenge.
"Black lips, go figure," Tulani says, but once the hole is exposed to her she gets the jewelry inserted. "May as well lie back for the rest."
Pierce lays back and spreads both is arms and legs, since two areas require ... fitting. His tailtip flicks about.
The navel is easiest, but Tulani tickles the nipples with her feathers to get them hard enough to insert the barbels into.
This makes Pierce squeak! While it makes them easier to grip and find, it also makes the insertion very noticeable. It's not painful, but ... it's certainly bizarre.
Moving lower, Tulani has to stretch the scrotal skin a bit to isolate each hole for those rings. It isn't pleasant! But then the feathers are used again to provide a firmer base for inserting the final ring.
Pierce grumbles and squirms! He thinks Tulani is doing this on purpose! She likes tormenting the spotcat, it seems.
"Well, that still works," Tulani points out, then lays across the cheetah and licks his nose. "Ready for the collar?" she asks, waggling her eyebrows. "I forgot to bring the leash though."
Pierce bites her nose! Though it is reasonably gentle at least. "Go ahead," he signs, preparing for the last indignity.
Rubbing her nose, Tulani fetches the collar and straps it on around Pierce's neck. "Now.. if you promise to behave I'll let you wear the loincloth," she then teases, dangling the strip of fabric from one hand.
Pierce crosses his arms after standing up. He also arches his brow slightly, waiting for Tulani to put it on him, not that it really provides him any privacy at all!
The Sphynx squats down and ties the loincloth onto Pierce, feeling him up in the process of course. She then turns her back on him to collect the bag and tie it to her own belt.
And Pierce swats her across the butt! She deserved it! Even if it means he'll end up completely naked for it.
The Sphynx barks at the swat, and gives Pierce a look. "That's not behaving," she claims.
Piece sticks out his tongue, which spreads some. This makes his ears twitch! Gah, that feels odd.
Tulani seems to consider things for a moment, then squats back down and removes the loincloth! "If you can make it out of the tower with good behavior, you can have this back," she says.. and then starts massaging things there.
This makes the studded and bumpy cat stand at attention! He grumbles at her again, then gropes her in revenge!
"Time for that later," Tulani promises, then heads for the door and opens it. "We want the lower level Plaza delivery entrance," she tells the waiting Alice.
The now very naked and, ah, presenting, savanite follows Tulani out and is glowering at her! And great now Alice is going to see this and probably figure out who he is. He can't make eye contact with the other savanite.
Alice seems confused, and actually looks back into the suite. Then she looks Pierce up and down.. and down again.. and signs to Tulani, "Is he for sale?"
"Hey!" Pierce signs, "Not funny!"
"No, but his rental fee is reasonable," Tulani promises, and gestures for Alice to lead the way. She does.. but keeps looking back and smiling at Pierce along the way. There are more stairs to descend.
"I'm heavily modified," Pierce signs to Alice, in case it might dissuade her! And wow, do his ears feel hot.
"I can see," Alice signs. "What is your name?"
"Pierce," Pierce signs in reply. "I live up to the name."
"Shouldn't you be named 'Pierced' instead?" the maid signs, wiggling her ears. So far she seems to be taking them on a route that deliberately avoids any busy areas, since they've passed around what must have been a laundry.
"Ha ha. Want a few?" Pierce signs right back and flares his nostrils, wiggling that ring in it.
"Are they expensive?" is the reply.
"Not necessarily," Pierce signs, surprised she even asked that.
They soon arrive at the loading dock, which is empty this time of day (apparently deliveries are handled later in the day). Alice opens a personnel door using a key, which leads to the shadowed area beneath the upper plaza. Tulani offers Pierce his loincloth back at that point.
Pierce considers it, then waves it off and swats Tulani on the butt again. He committed to misbehaving, at least. He then turns to Alice and shuffles a bit. "You don't find me ... freaky?" he asks her.
"You make me feel curious," Alice signs, and then dares to pat Pierce on the butt before retreating behind the door.
"You've made an impression," Tulani claims, rubbing her own butt after the swat.
"... bye?" Pierce signs to her. So much for a new spot friend, he guesses? The cat hen turns to Tulani and signs, "You enjoy this far too much! Lets get to the shop before too many people stare."
There aren't many about in the shadow-plaza streets and alleys this early. And the few that are seem to be sleeping something off from the night before.
"Ah, welcome back," Helse greets when the pair arrive. She's in one of the chairs, having her daily fur painting done by one of the Naga girls. The design today is multi-colored clouds.
Pierce bows deeply to Helse. "Greetings, proxy-mistress," he signs to the Eeee.
"Hope it isn't an inconvenience," Tulani says with a smile.
"None at all, the break room is at your disposal Miss Herfrel," Helse says, without moving much. Sephia slithers over and takes Pierce's hand, as if he might have forgotten where the room is.
Pierce' brow arches a little at Sephia, and his tail quivers slightly; that naga delights in tormenting him in some fashion after all. But, he does bow his head to her to indicate he will follow.
The serpent leads Pierce into the familiar fur and cushion strewn room, and then helps to build up a pile of cushions.
Pierce helps out too, though he always keeps one eye on the serpent! His tail might also accidentally swat her every so often, too.
Once the pile is completed, Sephia gestures for Pierce to sit down.
Pierce eyes Sephia, then sits into the pile. "What are you doing?" he finally signs to her.
Sephia rises up on her tail, looming a bit over the cheetah, and hisses, "I wassss going to daNssse for you."
Pierce leans back, eyes wide! He doesn't sign, he just sort of ... squeaks.
The modified savanite then licks his lips nervously, which of course spreads that tongue of his again. This makes his ears twitch! Gah, so odd.
A few slow flicks of Sephia's tongue are prelude. Then she raises her hands over her head, and pushes her palms together as if in prayer. With the oval space formed by her arms, her head and neck begins to sway from side to side, while her eyes never lose their lock on Pierce.
This makes Pierce shift nervously. Enough to pull his knees up to hug them to his chest. "Calm down. Naga don't blink. It's ... fine," the feline thinks. His tail isn't calm at all, though, it's flicking about!
The movement slowly works is way down Sephia's body. First her shoulders get in on it, then her torso and 'belly', until her whole body about the floor is moving in a hypnotic sinus pattern.. except for her head, once everything else is moving. That stays perfectly still.
"That makes it more creepy," Pierce thinks as he seems to shrink down a little. He can't not watch, though. It is hypnotic. The poor spotcat licks his lips again, both at the same time since his tongue cal flex up and down in two parts.
Sephia keeps up the motion, and also begins to slowly circle around the cushion mound. Her arms spread, and begin to wave sinuously as well, so that there's always something waving in Pierce's field of view.
Pierce's head turns and darts, trying to keep that serpent in view! "What is she trying to do to me?!" the feline wonders. And worse, parts of him are responding reflexively, he can feel protruding bumpiness down below.
Once she's moved around to the cheetah's left, then behind him and is approaching on the right, her head suddenly darts forward, mouth gaping and fangs flexing - only to stop an inch from Pierce's cheek before pulling back again.
Pierce chirps and falls over as he jerks away from those sudden fangs. He scrabbles around, disheveled and twitching. His heart is also pounding like mad. A few deep breaths and he pushes himself back upright. "You're scaring me," he finally signs.
Sephia comes back around in front of Pierce, and grins at his reaction. She actually begins to slither backwards, but lowers herself as she does so that she just seems to sink towards the floor without retreating.
Pierce blinks again, but his eyes never leave that serpent. Instead, he grabs a pillow and holds it like a shield.
Once her head is on the floor, Sephia reaches forward to rest her claws on Pierce's toes. Then she begins to slither forward slowly, running her fingers up towards the cheetah's knees as her head also slowly rises up.
And Pierce is ... paralyzed! He's just staring at her, wide eyes. His heavily pierced ears twitch and jingle like mad!
Slowly Sephia rises, until her hands are gripping Pierce's knees as she's nearly at eye level with him. Her tongue flicks slowly, and then her jaws open wide and she darts forward again, sinking her fangs into.. the pillow! A jerk of her neck yanks it away, and her hands push Pierce's knees apart to expose him to the serpent.
"My pillow! is what Pierce thinks, his arms still held up as if he had it! What he does, though, is chirp, slightly. As for the pressure on his legs, that parts them easily, putting his rather, ah, excited, very bumpy, and pierced bits all on display to the Naga. "Mrrroowl?" he finally manages out.
"Sssssss," Sephia hisss deeply. She darts again, stoping short of swallowing Pierce's head, then begins to lower her muzzle. She presses into the fur of the cheetah's chest, so he can feel the length of her fangs as she works her way slowly downwards.
"Oh dear Gods, she's going to bite it off!" the savanite thinks! His experience as the buck is rather recent and that was bitten off! The poor feline is shaking all over, his tail practically vibrating! He's too scared to even try to escape!
First, Sephia wraps her long tongue around.. then bites down. Aside from her fangs though, the viper doesn't have any noticeable teeth. She is able to suck though! So she suckles.
This makes the feline hiss at first, then moan. His eyes even roll back a little in his head. That tongue and the suckling, coupled with the dozen subcutaneous gold beads make for a very interesting and arousing sort of sensation.
The Naga is careful. She can certainly feel Pierce's pulse, and makes sure to keep at just the right level of stimulation without going too far. And just when it seems like it will go on forever.. the cheetah feels the weight of the Naga as she releases him and slithers up onto him instead. Scales part, and Pierce is inside of Sephia, where it's not quite as warm as he is. But then she bears down, using all those belly muscles so it may as well be another mouth.
"Morrgrpth," goes Pierce as he hugs around the serpent's massive torso and presses his cheek up against her. His jaw is slack and he's practically panting. The cats hips are moving at this point too as much as he actually can. If she keeps this up for any length of time at all, the feline is going to pop!
"Ssssqueeze me, yessss," Sephia hisses, and the twists until Pierce is on top of her. "Take me in your jawssss," she insists, baring her substantial throat.
In spite of himself and that Sephia is stronger and infinitely more deadly, his jaws surge upward and grip down on her throat with a growl. No way he can pierce the scale, but his grip is firm. He's also hugging onto her hard and his lithe body is moving fast within that reptilian embrace. It doesn't even really register with him that he's on a snake; it's more like ... female, and he really needs a female right now.
The more he moves, the warming Sephia becomes. And now Pierce can taste her, sort of, and feel her pulse in her neck. She begins to squirm and squeeze now, her mouth gaping open to help regulate her temperature by dumping the excess heat. And holding her like that gives Pierce a very predatory sense of power!
And the cat is really going at her. So much so he can feel, well, the spiny-er parts of his anatomy at full force and, well, dragging around inside the snake. It's a mindset that's almost like Taahira, more primal, direct. He's going to be satisfied by this female, regardless! And now it's his turn to control his movements so that the feline doesn't, well, finish before he's fairly sure the serpent beneath him has. So this means he both bites and squeezes harder.
That seems to send Sephia over the edge. She's actually hotter than the cheetah is now, and her muscles squeeze and slide faster. She's also gasping and almost struggling now, as if she really was feeling like prey! It's quite a ride as she finishes.. and it takes her a while at that.
Pierce's jaws do release, but the reason is probably one that gives the entire studio a bit of a shock. The cat lets out a guttural and vibrating roar as he finally 'claims' the serpent beneath him. To him, it feels like he erupts within her; the feline grinding down and pushing deep in an instinctual attempt to, well fertilize. This lasts surprisingly long before he collapses on top of her, gasping for breath, wide eyed. He's still twitching within her. "Oh dear Gods," he thinks, mortified.
Cheetahs do push themselves to the very edge.. in more than just hunting, apparently. Tulani does look in to see what the noise one, doesn't see any blood, and so returns to the salon proper. "Nothing to worry about," she can be heard to say.
Pierce grabs a pillow and pulls it over his head to hide himself.
And while Pierce might be exhausted, Sephia is very active now that she's all warmed up. She rolls Pierce off of her and nuzzles at his chest. "It issss good to have you back," she hisses. "I will have a sssspecial token for you later.." she promises.
"That doesn't make it any better," the mortified Cheetah thinks. Sephia is the one who has most of the decorating, after all! Still, he did like seeing her again when it comes down to it. It's nice to actually be wanted and considered attractive. It's not like he gets much time feeling like that.
The serpent rises and slithers off, but pauses at the doorway to blow Pierce a kiss before passing through the bead curtain.
Pierce does wave to her and rolls over. He lets out a long sigh and ... relaxes. It's also in that relaxing that he can feel just how decorated he is, every little bit of metal and jewelry throbs just a bit.
It's nearly a half an hour of rest before the beads are parted again, this time by a short cloaked figure.
Pierce sits up slowly and blinks. "Hello? he signs to this figure. hat half an hour did give him time to recover, at least!
The cloak comes off, revealing some long ears and fluffy fur. It's Honey, from Inala's Paradise. She roughly signs, "Here for cat-wing talk." But that doesn't stop her from approaching Pierce!
"Oh? Tulani?" Pierce signs and he sits up. "What's going on? Is something wrong at the club?"
"Bara is concerned about something," the doe whispers as she sits in Pierce's lap. "Not at the club though," she adds. "Until Tulani gets here, can you.. not be too gentle with me?" she asks.
"Concerned about what?" Pierce signs, then rolls himself and the doe over so that he's on top and starts nibbling all over her ..., then goes about stripping her. He's also positioning her some so that she's well, hands and knees. She did ask for him to not be too gentle, after all!
Honey wiggles her heart-shaped tail and makes sure her ears aren't blocking the back of her neck as she gets into the final position.
Pierce pounces! Complete with growling and nipping, and grab-hugging the doe from behind. He soon grabs her scruff and tugtugs playfully on it, wiggles, then the bunny is gifted some spiny and bumpiness below!
The Lapi squeaks and whimpers, but also wiggles her butt encouragingly! Honey has plenty of padding in that regard, so can take a good bit of pounding.
Good, because she gets it, and a cheetah is a boney cat. So, the padding spares her from too much discomfort from a rapidly moving spotty butt and a firm grip on her scruff. He also uses one hand to reach up and squeeze-massage lapi-breast.
"Can I get the milk treatment later?" Honey gasps. The groping keeps her from dropping her shoulders lower, which she had started to do.
Pierce's reply is a mumble, because he's got a grip with his jaws and his hands are busy, so no way to respond much. The spotbutt keeps up his unrelenting movement.
The gasps and grunts get a bit more frequent from the feline's prey. Honey actually raises her rump up further by lifting her knees off the floor and just using her toes. It provides a lot more freedom of movement, and the extra bit of leverage needed for her to push back harder.
Pierce thinks this is a dirty little lapi and his movement slows, but the strength of his impact increases He's making the doe rock forward quite a bit with each of his movements. He's also using his claws to tweak her playfully along her chest.
Each little tweak elicits a high-pitched squeak from the girl, but it's mostly lost in the slapping noises. The point finally comes when Honey can't maintain as much control, so the next big thrust pushes her off her limbs altogether, so that Pierce finds himself riding her down to the floor!
Pierce squeaks and has to quit hugging her and use his limbs to catch himself so that he doesn't squish her! He rolls to the side and lands on his back with a whump! Oops.
Honey recovers quickly, and straddles the downed kitty! Now it's her turn to go wild!
Oh the horror! It just means all Pierce can do is slightly sit up and nurse on the doe!
This prompts Honey to grab Pierce behind the ears, so that he can't escape! Or to hold him place as she starts bouncing up and down.
Worse things have been grabbed. The cat takes it all in stride and just nurses away while the bunny does whatever she wants to.
It's a good thing Honey is experienced.. otherwise this could lead to nasty injuries. But she alternates between up-and-down bouncing and forward-and-back grinding. Once the milk starts up thanks to Pierce's blessing (and now he finds that the split tongue works really good for this) Honey shudders and works through a few rapid releases.
Pierce ... isn't really ready for another explosive experience, so his outcome is much more subdued, but still very nice! And once he's gotten both 'outputs' of the lapi flowing, he finally tries to settle back and return to being a lazy relaxing cat.
Honey isn't quite ready to let him relax.. or rather, she is, but that doesn't keep her from doing her little muscle tricks to keep him at attention. She does keep her own motions gentler and slower though; building down instead of up.
Pierce mock-grumbles at her and even wiggles his nose, which wiggles the ring in it! Nothing is more reminding about being a slave than a big metal ring in your schnoz. Or well, being a hog. He's been that too! So, he lies on his back and rolls his hips a little in time with hers.
Wiggling the nose ring results in the bunny grabbing onto it like a saddle pommel. Tulani shows up before she can start slapping the cheetah like a riding drokar. "Ah, you're here," the Sphynx notes.
If Pierce could go yay, he would! Instead, he waves at Tulani from his awkward position.
"Ah, yes.. I am!" Honey says, but doesn't stop doing anything. "Another body turned up. Bara says that for sure it was executed like they used to do to adulterers back when the Temple of Inala did that sort of thing.."
This causes Pierce to blink. "Executed how?" he signs. "And since when did Inala care about adulterers?"
Tulani sits down near Pierce's head, and rubs her forehead. "Why would the Yodhinala perform executions?" she asks.. then shakes her head, "Never mind. Because someone enjoyed watching, I'm guessing."
It takes a moment for Honey to decipher the hand-signs. "Oh.. uh.. Judgment of Rugharo, I think it's called? Anyway, Bara says it wasn't so much about punishing adultery as.. uh.. some rich guy's wife got old and he wanted a younger one without having to pay for a divorce."
"Was it in the same spot as the first one?" Tulani asks.
"So, they're killed by huge thingies stuffed up in them?" Pierce signs, ears splayed. Given the skreek has had a Rugharo experience a few times, he knows how unpleasant that can be.
"No, it was over a mile away," Honey says, and bites her lip. "No idea if there are more, or how long it's been going on. Bara thinks someone has started up a new Pit of Dark Desires. She said the old temple kept a record of who visited the pits.. since they couldn't really offer events on demand they would notify those people when something could be arranged. Figures one or more on that list decided to start things up on their own when she wasn't going to offer that stuff at Paradise."
"Does anyone have the old list?" Pierce asks in sign, then wiggles his hips.
Honey wiggles right back, before saying, "Bara doesn't have it. If the temple was looted, that would be something the people on the list would really want to get their hands on. I mean, aside from keeping it secret, it would let them know who to talk to about starting things up again. But the temple always kept duplicate records."
"So there might be a surviving copy in the ruins," Tulani says. "Was the new one also a Skreek?"
That news causes Pierce to arch his brow. "They're killing skreeks?" he wonders, "Why skreeks?" He rubs his forehead now, worried.
The Lapi nods. "Easy to capture if you can fly, and there've always been plenty in the Streets Below. Until recently nobody would even care if one went missing, but now that everyone is moving out of there or into Greytown, people notice disappearances."
"So some have been taken from Greytown?" the Sphynx presses.
"How many are missing?" Pierce asks in sign.
"Bara isn't sure. There's a lot of mobility, people passing through.. it's hard to say. But a snatch would probably be noticed, so it may be just those that still move through the lower levels. Or..."
"Or what?" Tulani prods.
"Well, plenty of upper level folks recruit from Greytown," the bunny points out. "Why kidnap someone if you can offer them a job to get them to go with you? That's what Bara really thinks is happening. A new pit would need to be run by people with money, or those who know people with money."
Rubbing her forehead again, Tulani says, "Wonderful.. and the recruiters may not even know about it. Most of them are independents."
Pierce makes a face. "And people fall for that?" he signs, grumbling.
"Just because they aren't living in a garbage dump anymore doesn't make them any less desperate," Honey notes. "It's just now there's hope to sweeten things, and it probably makes folks less suspicious."
"Are theer any theories on which might be likely recruiters? It sounds like Bara has some ideas?" Pierce signs.
"So, we need to find out who has been recruiting female rats and who they're recruiting them for," Tulani says, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling. "And set up a ringer or two. I'll talk to the Yodhbarada. If there was a duplicate list of sadists, they might have it."
"A list of sadists would be half the city. You want the twisted ones," Pierce signs.
Honey shrugs to Pierce. "There aren't a lot of established recruiters. And sometimes foremen will come and recruit directly instead of using them. It's all still new and a really efficient method hasn't shaken out yet. But Bara knows a few of them that come to the club. She's ready to tap them to try and get a list of who they recruit for. If we had the other list we could look for matches."
"Then we just need a super clever and wily rat," Pierce signs and looks at Tulani.
"Yeah.. once we know who to send her to," Tulani notes. "And one that's immune to the Judgment of Rhugaro would help."
"Whomever could that be?" Pierce signs and makes a straight face.
"I'm sure I can find a willing agent," Tulani says. "I need to talk to my Yodh sources though and see about that suspect list. Tell Bara I'm looking into it, and that I'm taking it seriously, Honey."
"We're taking it seriously," Pierce corrects in sign.
The Lapi nods. "Sorry about having to meet like this, but Bara can't be sure there aren't unfriendly ears in Paradise," she says.
"Or unfriendly fingers," Pierce adds. There are some questionable savanites in the city. Or were, anyway, a few years ago.
"I'll be careful if I need to contact her," Tulani promises, and then stands up. "Anything else, Honey?"
The Lapi mutters to herself, then shakes her head. "That's all I have. If you need to know exactly where the bodies were found I'd have to ask for a map or something."
"If we get the names, then I can find out who owns buildings in the area," Tulani says. "Just have to find the list."
"If it were me, i would use a space deep in the undercity. An old abandoned temple, for example," Pierce signs as she sits up a little. "There are plenty of those about and not many go near them."
"And I doubt the body would be dumped anywhere near it. It would leave too much of a trail," Pierce adds.
"There used to be piles of bodies in the Streets Below," Honey says. "Some dropped from the towers, some just dragged there. If you didn't want to be a cannibal, the body piles were great bug farms."
"It could also be alternating locations," Pierce points out.
"Hmmm," Tulani says, watching Pierce's signs. "These guys never had to clean up after themselves until recently," she notes. "They had a year of doing whatever they wanted after the fall of the Temples. And to do any of this at all they have to be arrogant monsters confident and secure in their power. They'll make mistakes, or leave everything to underlings."
"Are you sure this has been happening for a year, though?" Pierce asks in sign. "Or is it more recent?"
"A year is about as long as it could have been going on," Tulani says. "While the Temple of Inala was in operation, there was no need for it. Then there was chaos for a while.. and something like this would still take time to set up, once everyone involved was sure the temples weren't coming back and had been without long enough to feel withdrawal pains.. Okay, not a year then. A few Spheres at best.. so less than half a year. But it probably started before the nasty nobles started melting."
"And more surprising is that it kept going after. They must think themselves untouchable," Pierce signs, frowns, then ends up playing with his lip ring with his tongue. "All this is guesswork, we need to look for the list and poke sources. Sorry, I sometimes go on."
"Well.. there's another possibility too," Tulani says, scratching her cheek this time. "They already had a stockpile of victims. Can't release them, but might not need to get more. If that's the case we'll have a harder time cracking it. Best to hope they need fresh victims regularly, horrible as that sounds, since it helps us to find them."
"I don't want to consider that option. Plus, it's unlikely. Such horrid people likely don't want to have to feed victims," Pierce signs.
"We'll find out one way or another," Tulani says. "I'm going to see about that list now.. I'll be back to pick you up later, Pierce."
"You're leaving me here?!?" Pierce signs, looking worried!
"You'll be fine," Tulani says. "You've got a bunny to protect you."
"Actually I need to return to the club as soon as I can," Honey notes, and finally gets off of Pierce.
Pierce doesn't look convinced, then squeaks! He burrows into the pillow nest. Some fierce predator.
Tulani sighs, and tells Honey, "He's afraid of getting more jewelry, you see."
Honey pauses in getting dressed, to point out, "But he's such an inspiration! After Fluffer got his, some of the other guys are thinking of getting the stud implants.."
Pierce pities those poor men! That was painful! He's also still hiding under some pillows and just peeking out.
Honey gives the cheetah a wink as she heads out right after Tulani, leaving Pierce undefended! The sounds of the Nagas in the salon seem a lot louder and more ominous now.
Pierce hides back under the pillows. They have probably forgotten about him by now.
Things remain secure for a while, and just when Pierce is starting to relax.. he hears the rustle of the bead curtain signal someone entering the room.
Pierce is completely still. Not even his tail twitches. Heck, he might not even be breathing. "Nothing in here but us pillows," he thinks.
It's very quiet. But eventually a pillow is lifted up and a pair of brown eyes framed by lots of black curly hair peek in on Pierce.
Pierce smiles sheepishly and waves up at the person peering down.
Alice waves back, and signs, "Why are you hiding?"
"Naga will stick needles and more stuff in me!" the savanite signs back. "Why are you here?"
"Curiousity," Alice signs. "I'm on my lunch break."
"Going to get yourself decorated?" Pierce asks as he burrows out of the mound of pillows.
"I wanted to see what you do here," Alice replies.. but does look at Pierce's earrings. "You sign like it is painful though."
"Depends on where it is done," Pierce signs. "As for what I do here, I ... model and am occasionally used as well, a breeder." That last bit makes his ears feel hot.
This causes a look of confusion on Alice's face. "I do not understand?" she signs.
"I help other savanites get pregnant?" Pierce explains differently.
"My parents did not need help," Alice signs, quirking her lips. "How do you help them?"
"I mate with them," Pierce signs, arching his own brow now.
"Both or just the.." Alice starts to sign, then a look of realization comes over her face... and she covers her mouth and stares at Pierce with wide eyes.
Pierce looks hurt. "What?" he signs.
"You are a professional at having sex!" Alice signs with exaggerated gestures. "How many children do you have? Are they all slaves?"
"Yes, yes I am. Is that a bad thing?" Pierce asks in sign. "As for children, I don't know how many, and no, I do not think they all are."
Many expressions flit across Alice's face, as if she has too many questions to ask. Finally, she signs, "Do you get to choose who you mate with?"
"Sometimes, but not always," Pierce admits in sign. "I am theoretically available for any woman or man that, ah, wishes my services and can pay."
"Do you enjoy it?" Alice asks next.
"Most of the time, yes. I have met some very nice people," Pierce replies. "Thinking of buying?"
"I was only joking about that because you were.." the final sign is just a forefinger held straight up. "I've never seen that before. And all the jewelry on it."
Pierce reaches over and takes her hand, then gently tugs it and places right over that very decorated area. He also grins and can sign with his free hand, "I charge someone like you a grand total of zero. I like you."
Alice's eyes go down and her ears blush and flick in embarrassment. She doesn't remove her hand though! With the other she signs out, "I don't want to get pregnant. I've never done it."
"Well, if you aren't in season, you should be safe in that regard," Pierce signs. "Just ... think about it? You don't have to decide today." He also pushes on her hand a bit so that, well the internal studding is resting in her palm.
There's some lip biting, and then Alice signs, "What can you do that wouldn't be a risk?"
Pierce taps his chin. "Well, with my tongue," he signs, "Or I can, well, go under your tail. It's ... different, but can be enjoyable too."
"What about just petting?" Alice asks next. It's possible she's never had a boyfriend.
"Sure, that can be done too," Pierce signs and nods.
"I have to be back in half an hour," Alice notes, but is biting her lip cutely.
Pierce sits down on some pillows and pats his lap. "Sit," he offers her and smiles.
Alice straightens out her maid skirt first, then carefully sits in the proffered lap, looking worried that her clothes might catch on something.
Pierce eases her back so that she's leaning against his chest. The professional 'slut' then starts to nibble lightly on her ears while just rubbing her stomach gently for the moment. If the girl doesn't panic, one hand will ease up to caress her chest through the dress and the other down to massage the top of one of her thighs.
Alice doesn't panic, but she also doesn't know what to do. There's fidgetting and finger twitching, until she finally relaxes and realizes she doesn't have to do anything. She does purr though.
Pierce continues to lick and nibble at her ears as his upper hand gets into some gentle massage of the savanite's sleek chest, including occational tweaks of her nipples. His lower hand misbehaves a bit more as it slides back, then between her legs and up and under that dress, causing it to munch a little. That hand strokes and traces gently over her sensual area.
This time the wiggles have purpose, as the girl isn't used to these sensations. She also doesn't seem to want to stay with her back against Pierce's chest, trying to turn side saddle on his lap.
Pierce lets Alice turn a bit, so that she sits sideways, but he doesn't remove either hand. In fact, his lower one is quite persistent, including using a claw tip to locate and occasionally tease the feline's 'nub' of nerves down there to see how she reacts.
This causes the maid to bark in surprise, and then blush in embarrassment. She has one arm around Pierce's shoulder, but the other is free to sign, simply, "This nice."
Pierce's reply to that is to press one finger inside the cat and roll it so that things are gently massaged, including that little nub. "Good at what I do," he signs briefly with his upper hand, "Plus it helps I really like you." He grins, kisses the side of her cheek, and resumes his upper caress.
This has Alice pretty distracted.. she even closes her eyes! He hand does twitch though, as if she wants to sign something but can't really focus on it - the Savanite equivalent of mumbling.
Pierce keeps it up. While there is no sex per se, he seems determined to at least help her have the rush of if she did given how his lower hand is working the savanite's tender bits. He also purrs softly in her ear and nibbles on it again, then on the side of her neck.
With a chirp of surprise, Alice reaches her fizzy point - something that Pierce can definitely feel with his finger. A lot of tension uncoils, such that Alice actually starts to slouch afterwards.
Pierce slows his tease, then draws it still but leaves his finger inside. He purrs at her encouragingly, then gently licks her cheek. Were he feeling evil, he would get her to, well, lactate. But she has to work soon so really shouldn't. Instead, he shifts her a bit so that she's leaning against him.
"Thank you," Alice finally signs. Then she blinks. "How did the bat sneak past me?" she signs next, as if suddenly remembering she meant to ask that. "Are you here every day?" she follows with.
"Oh, you mean the Barsunala? He's ... sneaky and can move without being seen, like a shadow," Pierce claims in sign. "And no, I'm not. I tend to be helping my Mistress Tulani, but she can arrange for me to be here sometimes if you ask her. I know, it's weird but I don't mind being owned by her. She is very kind to me. We're more friends than really master and slave."
"I wondered, because you spanked her," Alice signs, resting her head on Pierce's shoulder. "Do you practice on her too?"
"Quite often, actually. Some of my, ah, additions were her specific requests," Pierce admits.
Alice sighs. "I should go so I will not be late," she signs. "Is there anything you'd like me to bring you for dinner?"
Pierce kisses her between the eyes. "No, but I appreciate the offer," he signs to her. "The staff here will take care of me. It was nice to see you again. And if I do not see you again, I hope your days are happy."
"I'll check back on you anyway," Alice says and wiggles her ears. Then she stands up and straightens out her clothes again.. and checks for wet spots. "You're very interesting."
Pierce holds up the finger he used to, ah, stimulate her. He then licks it slowly while she watches, showing off that his tongue is forked. He winks, then waves.
That causes Alice's tail to shiver! The blushing girl bows and then runs out of the room. Savanites are always running it seems.
Pierce is amused. At least it sort of tells him that all the work that has been done to him does make him appealing to other savanites. It's a good sign it was well done instead of, well, just silly. He flops back into the pillows, though. It looks like he's going to be here a while.