There's a rattle and a thump as Tulani fails to hold onto a ceiling rafter with her toes. The Sphynx lands in a heap of mismatched armor and clothing, and nearly chokes on a length of white hair tied to the trophy necklace she's wearing. "Glah!" she spits, trying to get back to her feet.
"You know, Roogi made that a lot sexier," Alptraum comments from where he actually manages to hand from his feet. "We'll have to fix that some time. Give you bat feet." He rubs at his right hand absently since this place gives him memories.
"Oooog.. what do you mean, Roogi made that sexier?" Tulani asks, rubbing her butt. "Yodhblakat aren't sexy.. ACK! Why am I dressed as one?!"
"I thought Roogi was sexy," Alptraum comments from where he hangs. "And fun. Don't you want to be fun? I remember when Eeee could be fun. Then I came here and found there are a lot of them that aren't fun at all."
"I'm plenty fun," Tulani counters. "When haven't I been fun? And.. do you have to keep hanging like that while we talk?"
Alptraum keeps rubbing his right hand, which is pulsating softly thanks to memories. "What's wrong with hanging like this?" he has to ask.
"Because you're upside down, and I have to look down at your chin and your expressions look weird," Tulani points out. "Maybe you can deal with it but it's hard for non-Eeee."
"I could make you into a nice, male Eeee," Alptraum offers. How Eeee right themselves looks disturbingly wrong, unnatural as the can seemingly rotate midair before landing on their feet. He holds out his right hand with the palm throbbing like a heart. "And if you want weird, this is weird. Thank you memories influencing dreamscapes."
"Your hand looks very aroused," Tulani points out. "Right.. this is a dream.. so.. you wanted to tell me something nobody could overhear?"
Alptraum sits on the wreck of a bed. "Well, no, not exactly that," he says. "I thought i was over hating my own kind, but the past, well, month brought it all back. It's hard to believe how horrible we can be to others. These people were so bad even the Yodh shunned them."
"Well, that's just them," Tulani notes. "Not all Eeee. This bunch were a product of the Sabaoth's influence.. which is to say, Diphath's influence."
"A significant chunk. These were the ruling class," Alptraum points out and shrugs. "It's hard to look in a mirror and see something you hate, but ... I would right now."
Tulani comes over and looks at the shredded bed.. then decides to sit in Alptraum's lap instead. "The ruling class is pretty miniscule. But.. yeah, they sort of forced the mindset on everyone below them. They're anachronisms now though."
"I'm one of them. Look at what I represent," Alptraum comments, not looking up.
"What you represent is hope, through your own actions," Tulani points out. "Your birth was a consequence of the abuse of privilege and power.. but that doesn't mean you are an abuse. I used to think like that, growing up. I thought I was an orphan, until I was old enough that my adoptive parents thought I could handle the truth. My mother gave me up because she was afraid my father would find out and come get me, or punish her for not telling him."
"And some agreements to allow the Goddesses to use me for an outlet for their darker aspects, while turning their better ones back to the people," Alptraum adds and looks up. "The worst that they've ever done to me doesn't even compare to what those other Eeee were doing to people. Eating someone while they were alive? I know what that is like now. And using skreeks to produce children for food? I'll take anything Gorphat would do to me over any of that. Comparatively, Gorphat is kind. They were worse than their worst stories of their Gods."
"Well, I imagine the public will feel the same way," Tulani says. "There's no way they can bribe their way out of this. All the stuff that was set up to favor them in the past is gone. Individual towers aren't private fiefdoms where the landlord can do whatever they want anymore."
"But how deep does it go? Is it really just these people, or does it spread further, with those that remain going into hiding?" Alptraum counters and rubs his forehead. "What will other places think of Babel when they hear about this? I mean we're already considered pretty vile, but this..." He slumps. "I truly did not expect it to be as bad as it was."
"The message is meant to be 'we aren't tolerating this stuff here anymore,'" Tulani says. "And as for any that are left.. well, I think this trial is going to make them very very scared. Nothing is really ever kept secret at the upper levels. It's just that power and money have been a protective shield up until now."
"And I'm one of the victims in this, and I cannot get involved. Can you imagine how terrified they might be if they learned they were torturing me?" Alptraum says. "But the whole point is to get the people to believe in themselves, not the gender-fluid monster of the shadows who has been protecting those who needed it."
"I'd love to make an example of one of them myself, but I cannot," Alptraum adds. "Unless maybe when I get my hands on the Barinala I keep him as my own pet." He sticks out his tongue.
"I honestly don't know how the public is going to react to the survivors," Tulani says. "That fact that one is pregnant.. well, I don't fully get Babelite culture. I'm not so sure children are as important to them as getting proper burial rites. At least, for the upper elites. I imagine to the regular folks family and children are very important."
"Family is legacy. Children matter," Alptraum says. "To the point even rites will be ignored at times. There is what is said, but the reality is family matters, even to the elite. I imagine what they did to the children will be looked upon as the worst. Honestly, that affects me more than any of the rest. Even the Doctor's son, he's just a child in mind. How do I explain to him about his mother? Yes, the Doctor was a horrid person who lost the ability to care about what others felt, but it's still his mom. Look at me and the Seven sisters. Because of a family tie, you're often more forgiving, or hopeful, or seeing a flicker of something good in spite of it all. I can deal with a monster, Tulani. But looking into a child's eyes and telling them the truth about their parent ... that cuts into the soul."
"Maybe he already understands the truth," Tulani says. "It's not up to you to explain it though.. it's up to his mother. I didn't plan on bringing him to the trial, but I'm not sure he'd want to be all alone either. If I asked him, what do you think he'd say?"
"He wants to be around Wretch," Alptraum says as he rubs his neck slowly. The throbbing hand actually helps with this. "So, no, he shouldn't be alone. And speaking of Wretch, I want to fix him after all of this. I can remove the scarring physically. I owe him that much."
"Well, I think the mages were planning on doing that," Tulani says. "But you've got a relationship with them now, so that would help. And regarding the barinala.. you want to hunt him yourself? I imagine a lot of Greytowners would want in on that hunt.."
"I want to hunt him myself. I also want him to see that Mave works for me now," Alptraum notes, "As for what happens afterward with him, I have ideas, but I haven't decided fully. I always could use another Yodhgorphat for Gorphat's temple, after all. That would be quite a punishment for someone obsessed with being pretty."
"I don't know the details, but I think Gorphat is going to be involved in the sentencing or something," Tulani notes. "Some sort of 'divine' punishment detail. I guess the Kindly Ones do have some 'do not cross' boundaries on what their followers can get away with."
"Really? I'll have to ask Gorphat about that," Alptraum says. The bat then laughs and remarks wryly, "If I don't just start worshipping her. That one ... that Goddess ... got to me. I have to be careful around her."
"Careful?" Tulani asks. "I thought you already worshipped her? I mean.. don't you worship all of them, technically? Your relationship and status with the Sisters is bizarre."
"Well, Gorphat is one of the few that can make me change shape at Her will," Alptraum notes, "But yes, technically I do worship them all. And yes, the relationship is bizarre."
"I understand that she's one of the Big Three," Tulani says. "One of Nala's aspects. I guess Inala and Sunala don't mind you being her high priestess as well?"
"I haven't heard any complaints," Alptraum admits, "And as disturbing as it is, I've grown to like being her High Priestess."
"I've.. uh.. seen what that's like," Tulani says. "It's why I thought you could handle this mission, really. And I don't know all of the stuff you've gone through with Gorphat. But you had to have gotten those tattoos and.. other things.. somewhere right?"
"Well, yes. And most of the mission I handled fine," Alptraum points out. "The torture of me physically I cope with fine. It's harder when I see others hurt."
"So.. that other guard that was eaten by the big snake.." Tulani says. "What was that about? Was it one of the guards, or just another victim they had?"
"Guard. The one who was kind to me for the most part. Then tricked into trying to help me so they could sacrifice him as well. I don't know what they did to his mind," Alptraum says.
"Is he even going to survive?" Alptraum asks, "He was in bad shape."
"He's in the worse shape of all of you," Tulani admits. "They've kept him asleep all this time. He won't be able to testify, certainly."
"Something that may require the Shadow, then the Light, to fix?" Alptraum inquires.
"Probably," Tulani says. "He's way worse off than Otto was.. but he hasn't had a chance to heal badly yet, so there's that."
"So, as soon as I can come as me, I can try to repair him. I imagine the mages will want to watch that," Alptraum says.
"Well.. if they can provide the Life Magic for it, we won't need the Light," Tulani says quietly. "I'm not too keen to reveal that to them."
"I'm not sure I can 'feed' off that, but it is worth a try," Alptraum concedes. "So, how are you doing? I could tell that during the work on me you were feeling pretty ... poorly."
"Well.. is that a surprise?" Tulani asks. "Some things don't carry over from the dragon side. I could never go into some of the places the dragon can go as myself. Plus there's the matter of me knowing you and having put you into that situation in the first place.."
Alptraum holds up a finger. "My choice. Not your fault in the slightest. No blaming yourself," he says.
"Still.. I'm not used to surgery like that," Tulani admits, leaning more against Alptraum. "That bunny had an iron stomach."
"And half a butt in a jar," Alptraum points out. "She really knew how to turn the other cheek."
The Sphynx groans. "Well.. at least Sylvania saved your ass this time," she counters.
"Fair point. Also, you owe me now," Alptraum claims, "And I know what my payment will be."
"I owe you, hmm?" Tulani asks. "Well.. what is this onerous price going to be?"
"I'm going to turn you male sometime," Alptraum says with a toothy grin. "And you'll get to experience the other side, with me."
"Ohhh?" Tulani asks. "Didn't Snow do that? And do I get to choose which of your forms I get to play with?"
"You get to choose at least one, and I get to choose one," Alptraum says with a wider grin.
"Wait, just two then?" Tulani asks, and crosses her arms. "That doesn't seem fair. Why can't I have all of the ones I like?"
"Oh, you can have all of the ones you like," Alptraum agrees easily. "But my choice is the High Priestess of Gorphat." He waggles his brow at that, knowing how squeamish she is about that particular form.
"Uh.. I'm sure if I were that drunk, I couldn't be able to perform," Tulani claims. "I worked with lots of sailors. I know how much booze some things take.."
"You have to be sober," Alptraum says and taps Tulani's nose, grinning. "I think you'll enjoy it once you get used to the smell."
"Why do you think I'd enjoy it, exactly?" Tulani asks, already looking a bit ill at the notion.
"Because I will," Alptraum counters with a wan smile. "It'll be a unique experience for you."
"It will all be a unique experience for me!" Tulani says. "And.. for you.." she adds, narrowing her eyes. "If I can make you really squeal in delight, you have to give me the option of skipping the Yodhgorphat."
Alptraum frowns. "Why? She deserves love too," he claims.
"Yeeaaaah.. but that should involve worshippers of Gorphat, shouldn't it?" Tulani asks. "As a divine reward or something?"
"Maybe," Alptraum concedes. "I'll think about it." At least Tulani doesn't know that Nicora and Hosheb are ... a couple.
"You can't expect me to master dealing with a Yodh on my first day, after all," Tulani adds, smiling nervously. "And.. uh.. how many times can I actually do stuff? Does it hurt, or do I need to use the Light?"
"Just depends on how much you rest in between and how much I use other abilities to keep you functional," Alptraum says, which is entirely true. "As for the rest, you'll find out whenever the time comes ... which is probably not for a while."
"Well, until then.. do you need anything special to get you through the trial?" Tulani asks. "I can probably arrange someway to get you fresh blood if you need it."
"That would be good, actually. I can make due on the soups and such, but real blood would help a lot," Alptraum admits. "Other than that, well, I'll probably entertain myself with Abel and just try to relax. It feels like a cell, though, and that makes me uneasy."
"How is your energy level right now?" Tulani asks. "Have you been having to use the shadow just to.. keep it from healing you?"
"I've used it to keep the shape and no healing," Alptraum explains and hugs against Tulani. "You recharged me a bit when you carried me, at least. That has helped. But ... it may also be good to keep it lower so the mages don't sense it."
"The Coalition Tower may have anti-scrying enchantments in it already," Tulani notes. "When it was built, the Mage's Guild was being kept in the dark about what the Royal Mages were up to, so that seems like it would be something that would be added."
"Yes, but when they're in the room with me," Alptraum notes, "That may not work as well."
"I'll figure something out for breakfast," Tulani says. "It's Thath's personal chef after all.. she'll know ways of hiding usable blood in the food."
"Then she'll know there is a vampire in there," Alptraum points out. "Is that wise?"
"Well, you've all got compromised digestive systems," Tulani points out. "According the mages, that is. And I'm the one that give the chef their notes. The other two are anemic. Adding fresh blood to some of it wouldn't seem that out of place."
"Hah, fair point," Alptraum admits as he lays back and pulls Tulani into the nest-bed with him. "But there's one thing I can't get on the menu, unfortunately."
"Oh? What's that?" the Sphynx asks, trying not to accidentally stab Alptraum with bits of the weird armor.
"A weird cat bird sailor to keep the bed warm with me," Alptraum describes as he starts stripping the armor off of Tulani bit by bit. "So here I am stuck in a dream with one pretending to be a Yodhblakat. Ah well. It will have to do."
"Oh ho.. so.. do I get to be rough with you then, hmmm?" Tulani asks with a catlike grin.
"I would be highly disappointed if you were not," Alptraum remarks as he's both massaging Tulani's chest and prodding her poor nipples with his claws. "Because I suspect once I am released from the Tower I will have things to tend to which will prevent any enjoyment like this for a bit."
Tulani's own claws come out.. and her fangs too. Eeee have so much ear to bite. "I'll have to make sure and abduct you for a few days of proper recovery then," the Sphynx growls, and starts to use her sharp bits.
"Grr, I'll be your pirate's booty," Alptraum counters a bit goofily. From there isn't honestly more just being with a friend, someone he trusts, someone he cares about. Sure, it's a dream, but sometimes those are nicer than reality and a good escape to find oneself's center again, and to cope. Will the bat find all of that here? Who really knows? He's with a friend, and it's just one thing at a time.