"How about this?" Mave asks, holding out a strip of white Zolk that's not much wider than Snowcora's thumb. It isn't clear just how the Shrine Maiden is supposed to wear it though.
"I have no idea how one even wears that," Snowcora admits after a minute or so of trying to figure out what it is. It looks like a ribbon and nothing more.
"It's very simple," Mave says, and then wraps the ribbon around Snowcora's waist, and ties a little bow in the front so that the tails drape down over her crotch. Which would provide about 20% modesty so long as she stood perfectly still.
"Are you serious?" Snowcora asks after looking down. She looks back up, bare brow arched a little. "This doesn't have any modesty at all"
"Nor do Yodhinala," Mave points out, but taps her chin. She undoes the bow, and then asks, "Just what do you want to cover?"
Snowcora rubs her forehead. "Well, mostly so that I don't turn on everyone around me," she answers, then takes the bow back and ties it back into place. It's not like she has many options, given skin sensitivity, after all. "But I suppose I am expected to be Yodhinala-like in appearance, hence my over-sensitive skin that makes it impossible to wear much."
"You just need to control your aura," Mave notes. "You could cover the rest with your fur cloak.. but I sense that you want something to wear under it?" She rummages about through the extensive wardrobe some more.
"I just get self conscious standing around with everything on display," Snowcora admits as she reaches down and tug-stretches one of her piercings to stretch out things down below for emphasis. "Almost every male, and a large number of females, give me that sort of look."
Mave produces.. a thong. It's made of something silvery. "Let's just test this first," she says. "It's Silver Zolk. I want to make sure you can handle it."
Snowcora spreads her legs. "Go ahead," she says, apparently expecting Mave to dress her. It's not like she knows how to wear such things!
Putting it on is easy enough. It's not much more than a strip attached to cords, providing minimum coverage. "Now.. try to walk around in it," Mave instructs.
Snowcora walks around and has a really odd look on her face. "It feels like I'm flossing my butt," she comments.
What motion there is is also enough to be a bit arousing as well.
"And it's turning me on," Snowcora complains as things down below get a little tingly and, well, damp.
"So, something with a bit less contact then," Mave says, and starts towards a different rack of clothing. "You can take those off," she notes as she searches.
Oddly, Snowcora leaves them on! She may complain, but part of her likes, and embraces, her sexuality.
Mave returns again with two bits of gauze-like material. She stretches them out, forming two tubes of the stuff - and it becomes apparent that they have a single string going through them at one end. She lays them both on the floor, and gestures for Snowcora to step into them.
Snowcora steps into material and watches Mave worryingly. "I think you like me like ... this," she accuses.
"Why wouldn't I?" Mave says, and pulls the first tube up along Snowcora's body until it's just over her breasts but below her armpits. Then she adjust the drawstring until the top is snug but not tight. The rest drapes down like a skirt. The second one becomes an actual skirt, hung low on the human's hips. It feels like a good breeze could blow it all away, but it's light enough. "It's made from preserved Grabbit webs," Mave says to explain the lightness. The nature of their construction does make them a bit less solid in places, like lacework.
Grabbits. That brings up an unpleasant memory of one of the Sabbaoth Seven! She shudders a bit, feeling rather weird to be wearing such webbing again. "This ... works okay. But I will keep the others too for safety," she says, then blurts, "But not because the others rub me in just the right way!" Her skin flushes hotly.
"Well, I can smell what the thong is doing to you," Mave notes. "There are Karnors at the Guild Tower. If you want to mask things completely, you'd need Inala's Creeper, but that isn't intended as clothing."
"I make that much of a smell?" Snowcora has to ask. "What is Inala's Creeper?"
"A training device, of sorts," Mave says. "It might have been a torture device originally. I'm not sure if the one in storage is still alive though."
"I am probably going to regret this ... but now I want to see this thing," Snowcora admits. Wow, is she blushing.
"Well.. let's see if it's still alive and dormant," Mave says, and heads for another part of the bunker. There's actually a false wall that swings aside, exposing a chamber full of pots and jars and bottles. Mave lights a few candles inside before heading to a large stone cylinder with a stone cap. "You'll need to help me remove the cap," she tells Snowcora.
Snwocora follows along. "So, do you think I would have made a good Yodhinala?" she asks, "If I were an actual female Eeee that is." She then heads over to the stone jar and puts her hands upon the cap.
"You show promise," Mave says with a grin, and takes up a position on the other side to get a grip on the cap. "Turn it clockwise," she says, before pushing.
Snowcora blushes again at that comment. She focuses on pushing now; not sure why she even asked that. Gah, all the forms have their own influences on her thoughts.
The cap moves along a spiral groove that raises it up far enough to fit fingers under it. "Alright, lift with me and put it off to your left side," Mave says, sounding a bit amused at Snowcora's blush (which is extremely obvious where her chalk-white skin shows through the tattoos).
"MAybe you could formally train me some," Snowcora says before she can stop herself. She then stops herself by focusing on lifting that lid so she can set it to the left. She does wonder why the left, though!
"I have been," Mave notes. Inside the stone vessel is a blue, gooey liquid - if not for the color, it might be the same thing as the slime in Gorphat's worm pool. The Yodhinala uses a long wooden rod with a hook at the end to probe around in the goo, until she catches on something and starts to draw it up. What emerges is a tentacle of sorts, with a wide, flat end that is pebbly and pink on the underside, and dark and leathery on the other. It has the look of Eeee bio-engineering - like something from the Tower labs. It doesn't move or anything as Mave draws the rest of it out. The body is T-shaped, with the arms ending in similar flattened tentacles, although the two from the 'arms' have split pads, while the tail one is bigger and unsplit. The spine is flat and spreads out in curves.
Snowcora actually tries to sniff the goo, curious as if it was similar to the goo at Gorphat's temple. When the rod draws out the disturbing tentacle thing she actually squeaks and takes a few steps back! "What in the Goddess' name is that?" she asks, sounding horrified! She covers her mouth, wide-eyed.
It smells less like phlegm than it does of lavender.
Mave lays the.. thing.. on a cloth and works to dry it off. "I think it might still be good," she claims. "No white or blackened spots on it."
"It doesn't look good at all," Snowcora claims. "What does it do?"
"This is Inala's Creeper," Mave notes. "We used to have several of them, but this might be the last. A Yodhinala would wear it to.. learn to overcome her own arousal. A Yodhinala must be in full control of her faculties at all times - never the one not in control."
"So, that thing constantly stimulates you?" Snowcora inquires as she dares to reach out and, well, poke it.
The Creeper doesn't react to the poke. And from the feel of it, Snowcora can't tell if it's a plant or an animal or something else. There's a vague similarity to Scourge about it.
Snowcora leans in to see if, well, parts of it goes up inside someone. "Did you ever wear one?" she asks of Mave.
"Well, yes," Mave says. "The original version was probably meant for torture or execution, but the Yodhinala have cultivated them to be less potent. It isn't right that a creature that is not a Yodhinala to kill someone with pleasure. Also, our breed comes off where the originals are said to merge fully with the victim's nervous system."
The fat 'tail' end has a slit in the underside that could be hiding something, and the grippy ends of the arms have tubules hidden among the bumps.
Snowcora looks up. "Have you actually seen that happen to someone?" she has to ask, then takes a step back from the creature. "And you suggest that I should wear this ... thing?"
"And how do they, well, reproduce?" Snowcora has to ask.
"Oh, the original strain is probably long gone, unless something remains in the Tower of Babel," Mave says. "For them to reproduce, you stick a male one to a female one. It has to be done manually, since the Creepers don't creep - they have very limited movement, which is restricted to the extremities."
"Which is this?" Snowcora asks. "Male or female?" She moves closer to it again and pokes the paddle on the fat tail to see if anything comes out of that slit.
"As for clothing.. well, I don't think it would irritate your skin," Mave explains. "And it isn't exactly flattering to wear.. although I do recall some patrons finding it attractive on a person. This one is.. male, I think. I wasn't the Creeper Keeper, so I can't be sure. They look very similar. The female ones are for the barinala to train with."
Snowcora is somehow not surprised by this. She rubs her forehead for a bit, sighing. "I am going to regret this," she admits, "But I want to try to put it on." Why? Because her innate curiosity wants to try it. Most forms have bizarre fetishes now, after all.
"Turn around then," Mave says, making the finger-twirling motion to go with the request. "It has to be put onto your back first."
Snowcora isn't exactly thriled with having to turn her back to that thing. What if it inserts stuff into her spine? But, curiosity wins and she turns around. Her hands clasp and fidget, though.
"Raise your arms up a bit too," Mave asks, before brushing Snowcora's pale hair out of the way. Then something cold is pressed to her back, below her shoulder blades. It takes a moment before it sticks to her - probably faster than it would take to adhere to a furred Eeee back though. It's sits low enough to avoid the wings that would normally be expected. Then Mave presses more of it into place, right down past the tailbone.. before her cheeks are spread and the tail is pressed in.
Snowcora holds her arms out and her eyes twitch. "Goddess, that feels odd," she complains and things stick to her. The cheek spreading and the tail being fit between them makes her go up on her toes! She now has flashbacks of the leeches at Gotphat's temple and how they anchor themselves. "Er, I should have asked this before, but how does it come off?" she asks.
"Ice," Mave notes, as she comes around to Snowcora's front. The tail spade is put in place over the woman's nethers, and Mave has to stretch the upper arms slightly before they can be stuck to skin - Snowcora is a bit wider in the chest and bust than an Eeee - even a Yodhinala. The 'hands' are then placed across each breast, with the two 'fingers' meeting at the teat to cover it. It still hasn't done anything though.
"Now we just wait until your body heat wakes it up," Mave says with a smile. "May as well try walking around with it."
Snowcora remains still and breathing, well, a bit hesitantly. It hasn't done anything yet and that worries her a great deal. "Ice? Okay. That seems simple enough?" she comments. Then she does start walking, feeling really weird with its tail sliding about between her cheeks. She also reaches up and tests on if she could pull the 'fingers' off her left breast, curious of how well it is already attached.
It seems stuck.. until the seam - or lips - between the two pads is stroked, which causes it to open up around the nipple.
Snowcora huhs. So she actually does stroke at it for a bit to see if they open more, or what they actually do. "So far it's not that bad," she remarks to Mave as she, well, saunters about the room.
As the Creeper warms up, it becomes less noticeable. Extra strokes on the hand-pads make them seal up again. As it warms up further, there is some movement - but only what's necessary for the tail-stalk to match Snowcora's gait.
"This is really, really, odd," Snowcora comments as it seems to be less there. She tries to tug off one of the breast ones now, a bit harder, testing how attached it is. If it stays attached and actually hurts a bit from stretching, well, she'll know it's really attached!
It's really attached.. aside from the peek-a-boo reflex. The tugging seems to wake it up more now, and the little bumps on the inside start moving.. or inflating and deflating, from the feel of it. It's a massage. The tail-pad begins doing the same.
"It provides sufficient modesty while also acting as a deterrent to lust, wouldn't you agree?" Mave asks. "Especially if you say it's something from Gorphat. You do serve all of the Kindly Ones, after all."
"It isn't painful or anything, it's just, massaging. That's not bad at all," Snowcora claims as she continues to walk about. "And, you said it does come off ... which may be important to Cyprian."
"It wouldn't be very useful if it didn't come off," Mave says, then goes and starts rubbing on the crotch-cupper part. Sure enough, Snowcora feels something bulge and then inflate into her. Once it's filled her, it starts to wiggle and undulate. The bra-cups apply their tubules and start suckling as well. If the Creeper is a living thing, it's got to feed on something.
"Ooookay, not it's just gotten active! And it's big," Snowcora squeaks! Well, it sure feels big given it filled her! The nursing, that's not so bad. The undulation within is like being made love to, slowly. If she wasn't aroused before, she sure is now. "How long did people wear this thing?"
"Until they didn't notice it anymore," Mave says. "Or could handle it. A day at least, but some had to wear it for weeks - although I suspect they could ignore it, and just wanted to wear it longer for the pleasure it gave."
"How long did you wear one?" Snowcora inquires as she twitches and squirms a little. "It's a bit hard to ignore."
"Now, because you are blessed, you will never get to the point of overstimulation or acceptance. It'll just always feel good," Mave notes. She then grins. "Oh, I got used to it in a few days. But I wore it for a several weeks. To build stamina."
Snowcora gives Mave a sidelong look. "I think you enjoy ... teaching me," she remarks, brow arched. "I do wonder what it would be like if you were overtly teaching me to, well, be like a Yodhninala, instead of the subtle stuff." She then has to pause and breathe out slowly as she has a small, but very nice, peak and ripple of pleasure.
"Well, what is your decision?" Mave asks. "The Grabbit-lace skirts or the pleasure monster? Or.. just the usual; cloak and nudity?"
"I ... think this," Snowcora comments as she shivers lightly. "But I think you knew that from the start. You just wanted to make me think it was my idea."
"Now you have come one step closer to being a Yodhinala," Mave claims. "The lesson: always be in control, but make them think it was their idea all along."
Snowcora smirks and approaches Mave. She then pulls her close and kisses her. "Look for a female one, Alptraum might like to try it sometime," she whispers in Mave's ear afterward.
"Oh, I'm way better than a Creeper," Mave claims. "I've got bits to grab onto!"
"Yes, but you aren't around all the time, and I want to breed these," Snowcora says with a smirk. Then a gasp and a bit of squirming. "And I should go see Cyprian."
"Going to walk, or have cat-butt fly you most of the way?" Mave asks.
"Cat butt. Walking with this on will be weird ... and slow," Snowcora claims.
"Put your cloak on beforehand," Mave notes. "I'd rather not have her asking questions about the Creeper."
"Why? I want to breed one for her," Snowcora says with a devious smile. "And when I get back, you need to be prepared to serve Alptraum, if you get my meaning. He could use some Inala-style worship."
"I am always prepared.. but I could prepare something special.." Mave teases.
"It would show you care," Snowcora claims and taps Mave's cheek. "Now, until later. I must go see what Cyprian wanted."
The old Lapi-fur-lined cloak was crucial. Mainly to keep Tulani from seeing Snowcora wearing the creeper (which thankfully didn't make any noise while it did its thing). In this way, she got a free dragon-back ride to the Mages Guild Tower's main landing (instead of the 'servants entrance' down near a causeway). The cloak also kept Tulani from giving the Shrine Maiden an ice lick once she got down.
After Tulani flew off again, Snowcora was left facing to the two Eeee door guards, each watching her with wide eyes. Clearly, they didn't have specific instructions for people arriving by dragon. "Who goes there?" one of them eventually squeaks.
Snowcora smiles and lifts her hood back a little, revealing a very pale face decorated in tattoos and various piercings. "The shine maiden, here to see Cyprian," she says in her soft voice as she shifts about, as the creeper is still very much active with its nursing and its embedded 'bulb'. "He has been looking for me."
"Oh.. he's expecting you then?" the second guard asks, sounding a bit relieved. "I'll go check!" And with that, he's through the door before the other guard can react.
Snowcora slinks up to the remaining guard and rubs her hands on his chest. "And how are you?" she asks.
"Uh.." the remaining guard says. "I.. don't know? How do you want me to be, miss?"
"That is a loaded question," Snowcora teases as she smiles at him. "Do I scare you?"
After a moment of confused thought, the guard manages to say, "Oh.. I should check you out." A moment later, he clarifies, "For hidden.. weapons? And of course you don't scare me, I'm a professional." He still looks very nervous though.
Snowcora's hand drifts down to grab him lightly between the legs. Apparently, she's feeling a little evil tonight; probably the creeper making her more hormonal. "IF you feel it necessary," she says.
"Very necessary!" the man squeaks at the grab. "P-please.. uh.. stand still and spread your legs a bit. Oh.. hands! Raised up! Please?"
Snowcora draws her hands back, steps back, and spreads her legs a little. She then lifts her hands above her head. "As you wish."
The guard nervously crouches down and starts patting at Snowcora's legs, feeling for anything that might be hidden in the cloak. The pat-down goes surprisingly quickly, until he reaches the shoulders. He comes in close to check the hood - and oddly, Snowcora's hair as well. Of course, he probably could have just used sonar..
Snowcora tilts her head. "Is there something wrong, sir?" she inquires of him. She also checks herself to make sure she isn't putting out too much of a 'bend me over right now' aura, hopefully the creeper is keeping those urges in check by, well, satisfying her. Or at least keeping that part of her busy.
"Just being.. thorough.. ma'am," the Eeee claims, then undoes the sash of the cloak and opens it wide. "That's.. what is that?" he asks, seeing the front parts of the creeper. Before getting an answer, he starts kneading at Snowcora's breasts.. in case they're bombs or something. "How does it stay on?"
"IT is sort of living clothing. It attaches itself to me and feeds off me, while keeping me protected. Symbiotic, you could say," Snowcora claims as she stands there. She has to admit, having her chest kneaded does feel nice; havinng breasts in general feels nice.
"Ah.. I see.." the guard mutters, then buries his face between the woman's breasts, even as he reaches down to grab her rear. That's when the other guard returns, saying, "She's alright to let inside.." before even noticing what's going on.
Snorcora actually pets the back of the guards head. Somehow, she figures this is her fault. Not that she's complaining. "All right, I am sure he would want to see me soon," she says as she gently tries to dislodge the other guard.
The fondling guard makes a 'glurk' sound and lets go immediately, trying to stand up straight. "Ah! Well... she's not carrying any blades or... cudgels."
"Riiiight," the other one says, then holds the door open further for Snowcora. "Do you need an escort, ma'am, or do you know the way to Cyprian's chambers already?"
"I know the way," Snowcora says with a smile "I wouldn't want to distract either of you from your duties, after all,," she says as she saunters (well, sashays) her way into the tower. As she passes the second guard, she pinches him on the backside.
There's a squeak of course, and the door is hastily closed once Snowcora is in. This gives her a chance to close up her cloak if she wants. There is an older Eeee woman at the circular reception desk, but she seems engrossed in her knitting.
Snowcora, well, she doesn't bother closing up her cloak. Instead she continues walking and says a polite greeting to the Eeee at the desk. "I am just here to see Cyprian," she says, "I know the way." She then tries to continue on before the Eeeee knows quite what she ust saw!
The tower isn't exactly 'busy' - The corridors are free of traffic. But then there just never seem to be a lot of mages. Most of the staff may even be acolytes. So Snowcora finds herself before Cyprian's door. Of course it's warded, so she can't tell by aura if he's in there or not (and presumably it would work both ways, so the occupant isn't alerted every time someone walks by.. but one can never be certain with Mind Mages).
Snowcora reachs up and knocks lightly upon the door. "Hello," she says, "It is the Shrine Maiden. I was told you have been looking for me? Do you need something from me, my Lord?"
The door is opened a moment later by Cyprian, who smiles. He's wearing his robes of course, but they seem to be more 'casual' somehow. "Yes, please come in," he says, standing aside. "That is an interesting.. is it clothing that you're wearing?"
Snowcora saunters into his chambers and shrugs, allowing her cloak to slide off her body once inside. "It is living clothing, something called Inala's creeper. It helsp keep me protected and a few other things," she says as she looks oer her shoulder at the mage.
Cyprian nearly lunges to grab the cloak before it can fully fall to the floor. He straightens and goes to hang the garment. "You still serve more than just Inala though, correct?" he asks, before coming closer to examine the creeper.
"Of course," Snowcroa says. "I serve Sunala, Gorphat, and all the Sisters, really. And of course, you." That last bit comes wink a tease of a wink.
The Mage is really looking over the creeper now, circling the human several times. "Hmmm.. no mind really..." he mutters, and tries poking the creature in several places. "Oh, Sunala still?" he asks focusing back on Snowcora again. "Excellent! You would probably be much better at making an awkward introduction than the Barsunala."
"An awkward instrodution? I do not follow ou? If you wish to deal with Sunala, then the Barsunala is generally the best choice. He is a decent sort and I know he likes you. In any event, what is it that you need?"
Cyprian lifts Snowcora up and sits her down on the edge of his desk. "We have a visiting Mage.. a guest from Nagai," he explains. "He wishes to see Babelite funerary preparations first hand." He then kisses Snowcora.
Snowcora drapes her arms over Cyprian's shoulders and kisses him back. She knows how to make her various adornments ... fun, and teases him a little with her tongue stud. When the kiss finishes she sits back and says, "A naga, I presume? He wishes to see how funerals and what sorts of embalming techniques are used?"
"Yes," Cyprian says after catching his breath. "Ningishzida Belet'Seri. A Ksh'atga - a Naga that prepares the mortal remains and looks after the dead. And also raises them up if necessary. The Imperials have a.. different regard for necromancy than we do in Babel and other lands."
"Ah, well, he best not mention that aspect while here," Snowcora points out as she rubs her chin in thought, then plays with her lip stud for a moment. "I suppose I could introduce him, but why not the Barsunala for this task?"
"I'd be more concerned about offending him," Cyprian admits. "Or the Yodhsunala. If he brings the Ksh'atga, it would carry a certain authority with it, I imagine, and Yodhsunala may be reluctant to say 'no'. As the Shrine Maiden for the Pantheon, I imagine you have a more open mind.. and less actually sway, pardon me for saying. You are much more in service to the Temples, after all. And Ningishzida is.. hard to get along with. You could decide if he's safe to introduce to the Yodhsunala. I think he's a he, anyway. If anyone can soften the blow of rejection by the Yodh, or the Naga's personality to the Yodh, it would be you."
Snowcora quirks an amused smile. "You have great faith in my diplomatic ability. I am not sure I would have much sway with the Yodh, but, perhaps. In any event, I am willing to try."
"But before that.. perhaps you could explain to me how this creature works?" Cyprian asks, poking one of the breast-cupping appendages.
"It is a creature bred by the Yodhinala to improve the stamina and endurance. It ... constantly stimulates the wearer in pleasurable ways," Snowcora tries explaining and grins, amused. "For example right now it is nursing on my while down below, well, it is ... mating with me constantly."
Cyprian's eyebrows rise up. "That sounds like it would become painful after awhile," he admits. "Is it.. as good as the real thing?"
"It wuld be to normal people," Snowcora points out, "But I cannot be exhausted in that way. It just feels very nice to me. As for if it is better? No. It doesn't, well, fountain, and I find that part of such an act to be one of the best moments of it. But, it does keep me safe from unwanted advances at least, and the constant nursing is relaxing."
"Seminal fluid is known to contain many mood-altering substances," Cyprian notes pedantically. "I suppose you won't want to take it off then for your visit.." he adds, and actually tilts his face down and looks up, trying to make big pouty green bat eyes.
"It requires ice to get it to detach," Snowcora notes, "So if you have some, I could take it off. If not, well, I always have other ways of spending time with you and making you feel good." She licks her lips suggestively at that. "As if I wouldn't want to spend some sort of time with you and recieve your fountain's gift."
"I can dunk you into an icy bath," Cyprian suggests.. but instead goes to a fixture near the door. He pulls out a cork, then whistles into the exposed opening before asking, "Can I get some ice water please?" There's a shrill whistle in return an a reply of, "Right away, Mage Cyprian."
Snowcora saunters over and siddles up to his back, between his wings. "I feel awful, you know," the shrine maiden notes as she reaches around him to caress both his chest and, well, a bit lower. "I fear I have corrupted you horribly," she laments, "Before you met me, were you so esirous of carnal pleasures?"
"I am an Eeee," Cyprian notes. "There have been.. others that were tempting, but out of reach for professional reasons. One of the first mind-tricks I learned was libido suppression, back in school. It didn't always work out. Some saw it as a challenge."
Snowcora's lower hand disappears into Cyprian's robe, where it grabs and teases. "I admit I would have been one such person," she admits. "You know, I used to be very ... reserved in such things. Then my mind and eyes were opened and embracing, well, this has made my life more enjoyable."
The Mage stiffens. His entire body, that is. "The kitchen servant will be here soon," he notes.. just before there's a knock on the door.
Snowcora keeps her hand movements up, possibly to make it awkward for him to open the door. But, eventually she withdraws her hand, then steps back from him. "Since you're an Eeee, why have you not, well, asked someone like the Barsunala out?" she inquires. "I am lead to understand such is fairly common with your kind."
"I wasn't raised in Babel," Cyprian notes, and opens the door. A young Savanite boy smiles and rolls in an actual service cart. It has a crystal carafe of water and a bowl of ice. The ice pieces are in rather fanciful shapes: swords, bat-wings and faceted gem shapes. On top of the pile is a small Jupani head with an exaggerated smile. The cheetah even takes one of the crystal tumblers and adds a few pieces of ice before pouring the water. Since Cyprian has stayed between him and Snowcora, the boy doesn't pour a second glass. His task finished, he bows and smiles to Cyprian before leaving.
""Not your type, then?" Snowcora teases after the glass is poured. "You prefer us weird monster girls, then," she adds as she slinks up behind him again. "Those of us cursed to be unable to wear much clothing, then bound into the service of the Kindly ones."
"Cursed?" Cyprian asks, ignoring the water to pick up the Jupani head instead. "And as for type.. I suppose part of it is that I don't need to worry about my reputation getting in the way of things."
"No, you just have to worry about my reutation getting in the way," Snowcora teases, smiling. "Or rather, my job. I know I am not around as much as you wish."
"We are all busy people," Cyprian notes. "It is difficult to go on holiday when you are a public figure." He then turns and brandishes the ice head, sticking it's nose against Snowcora's throat. Maybe to see how she reacts to ice.
Snowcora makes an impressive, "Eeeeeeeee!" when the cold hits her throat. Her skin is sensitive acfter all! She quickly acks up and rubs at her throat. "Cold!" she complains.
"Ah, interesting reaction," Cyprian notes, and then applies the ice to edge of the 'hand' cupping Snowcora's left breast, right at the connection point on the upper part so that the woman's skin is chilled as well.
Snowcora makes a face. Specifically she grits her teeth and her left eye twitches. If she had a tail or wings, she would be twitching those about as well, but instead she has to remain still and see if this thing comes off. what if it has fused to her? She is, after all, a strange case.
After outlining the creeper pall fully with the ice.. it pops free and curls back before going limp. So Cyprian circles the exposed (and still wet) nipple with the ice next.. to make sure the creature doesn't just grab back on again.
"Ack, hey!" Snowcora complains! "That's really cold!" But, she does know enough better to not try to pull away in case this is actually needed. Of course Cyprian could just be tormenting her.
The right breast is freed next, in the same tormenting manner, and then Snowcora is lifted and sat on the edge of the desk again. "You should lean back.. and spread your legs," Cyprian notes.
Snowcora is shivering! "You are very mean," she complains as she cups her chest, trying to warm them back up! Still she does lean back and spreads her legs to show off the final petal. IT's not like she can really refuse him afyer all.
Since this one is bigger, Cyprian goes slower, running ice along the edges several times.. and goes all the way down to its root. He also tries icing near the center of it, remembering what Snowcora noted about it 'mating' with her. The center icing does induce deflation and retraction though! Eventually it pops off and flops down, but of course Cyprian needs to make sure by outlining the exposed lips with ice. They probably need cooling off anyway.
Or he's just being mean! This causes Snowcora to squeal! That is cold and yes, she was very warm, and very wet, down there! "Maybe I should have left it on!" she complains as her toes splay and then she suddenly wraps her legs around him and pulls him close!
Cyprian does take a moment to adjust his robes.. one handed, while leaning over to kiss Snowcora. Then he says, "If you're cold, I can warm you up if you like."
"Which was your plan all along," Snowcora accusses him, just before returning that kiss. "And you better warm me up," she growls soon after that kiss. Right before playfully biting his nose. "Or else."
So Cyprian moves his lips lower, and uses his tongue to lick up any remaining moisture from Snowcora's breasts. But since they also provide moisture, he has to lick quite a bit, which turns into suckling to better isolate things.
This makes the human arch ber back a little and moan softly. Her hands come up and cup him gently behind the head as he nurses upon her. "There, that's a bit better," she coos. Why does this have to feel so nice? Inala sure made it so that she enjoys being nursed upon. It's as nice for her as it is uncomfortable for the Yodhgorphat.
Eventually, Cyprian has to move lower, before everything is dried up by body heat! He uses his tongue to retrace where he ran the ice, just to make sure things warm up properly. He then stands up, looming over the woman on the desk, and reaches down to insert himself for the final warming up. He also grabs her hips, so that he doesn't inadvertently end up moving his desk around from the thrusting.
"No matter how many times it happens, it's always a marvel how wonderful it feels when she is entered; specially by someone she actually likes. Her insides conform and hug to him as she rolls her inner muscles with the control of a Yodhinala. The rest of her reaches up, then around the Eeee mage and hugs onto him, her eyes closed slightly and with her sighing. "I've missed you," she murmurs as she rolls her hips as much as she can without causing a problem with her seating. "I could have you within me every day," she adds, right before kissing him again.
"Well.. you could stay the night," Cyprian offers after the kiss, as he hooks his arms under Snowcora's legs. "Have you ever done it hanging from the rafters?"
"I will stay the night," the human claims, her mind once more clouded by warm feelings for the Eeee. "And no, I have not done it Eeeee style before," she claims, which is mostly true! Certainly the human form hasn't. She doesn't have anything too pressing scheduled, after all.
"If you're up for it.. I can probably rig some kind of harness.." Cyprian notes with a grin.
Snowcora smirks. "Make it so," the human claims as she squeezes down below. "Tonight we'll pretend I'm your Eeee ... and you're trying really hard to get me pregnant...
After a full night of very rigorous activity - some of which requiring improvised harnesses and safety gear - Snowcora is glad for the gentle ministrations of Inala's Creeper. But not before taking a nice bath and getting a massage from Cyprian, who is also going to be walking a bit funny for some time. For the moment, Mage Cyprian is looking all business again, standing tall and straight with his robes and high-collared cloak. With Snowcora beside him, he knocks on the thistlebark doors of the Dragon Suite.
Mere moments later the door opens a crack, and very small Garter Naga peers out.. then appears to flee back into the depths of the chamber. This is closely followed by a soft voice saying, "Pleasssse enter, Mage Sssssyprian."
Ever the gentleman, Cyprian pushes the door open further and gestures for Snowcora to precede him.
The cloaked Shrine maiden bows her head to Cyprian, then steps through to doorway ahead of the mage. "Good morning," she says as she steps into the room.
Coiled in the central pool of sunlight is a slender, medium-sized Naga sporting four arms. Its scales are the color of ivory and its reptilian irises such a pale blue that they seem more like tinted white. To help them stand out, the upper part of the Naga's head is painted black. Or rather, a skull is painted over the white in black, with even the shadows and highlights reversed. The Ksh'atga wears a poncho-like tabard in the colors of Spirit, along with symbol of the Sphere and some Imperial characters as well.
The Garter assistant is nearby the central dais, where a fancy Imperial tea-service is set.
The door closes as Cyprian enters behind Snowcora. "Mage Belet'Seri, my I introduce the Shrine Maiden of the Kindly Ones, who is free to visit any Temple, Shrine or Holy site in the city."
Snowcora's brow arches slightly at both the unusual room and the even more unusual occupant. The skull painting is a nice touch, and it reminds her of hack tattoo. She dips her head politely to the naga, causing her nosering to sway slightly and reminging her of its precense and meaning. She folds her hands together as Cyprian introduces her.
The Naga's tongue is the same pale blue as its eyes as it tastes the air. "Human?" the Naga asks in confusion. "Not Eeee?"
"Ours is a complex and often self-contradictory mythology," Cyprian claims, as if that were enough of an explanation.
"Well, mostly human," Snowcora adds, "Being separate from the pantheon helps deal with the complexities and complaints of bias."
"Forgive me, I am not usssed to.. multiple deitiesss and the politicsss that accompany them," the Naga says. "But I hope to learn more."
"Dealing with them can be difficult, but also rewarding," Snowcora claims.
Belet'Seri is surprisingly quick, and Snowcora finds herself face to face in what seems like the blink of an eye. Her's, since it doesn't look as if the Naga blinks. Its head is turned so that just one of the pale eyes is facing her as the reptile examines her face (and its tattooing and jewelry) closer. "Permanent?" Belet'Seri asks.
Snowcora nods at this and doesn't even bat an eye. "Of course. Each Goddess has added their own markings to my body and the saw fit. The jewelry is symbolic of my binding to them," the human claims, quietly. "There are precious few places upon me that are untouched."
"I would like to sssee," the foreign mage requests, "and learn of the ssssignificance of each." Already, four hands frame Snowcora's head, touching cold fingers to her ears and tracing the line of her jaw.
Snowcora's brow arches again, her head tilting slightly. She then shrugs, shoulder rolls, and her cloak slips off and pools at her feet. "Inala's creeper is covering my breasts and genitals, each of which bear significant implants of jewelry," the human notes without moving further.
There's still plenty to keep the Naga's attention that the Creeper doesn't cover. "Doesss each color corresspond to a goddesss?" it asks, and actually taps a claw on the blue gem inset into Snowcora's lower abdomen.
Given the sensitivity of that gem, it causes her belly to draw in and she sucks in a hiss of breath. "Yes, it does. Blue is commonly associated with Inala, the Goddess of Pleasure," she explains, "That orb is symbolic of the body part coloquially called 'Inala's Orb', the bit most mammals have that causes immense pleasure during mating."
"Mmmm," the Mage responds. "Which color belongsss to your Ssssunala?"
"Black and white," Snowcora notes and then turns around to show off her full back-tattoo of the Sea of Souls that graces her modified flesh.
There's a hiss from the Naga, and Snowcora realizes that the Creeper is actually obscuring over half of the tattoo due to its 'arms' and 'wings' that extend from the central spine.
"You might be able to nudge it aside. Otherwise it will take ice to get my ... clothing to release," Snowcora notes.
"It isss a reptile?" Belet'Seri asks.
"It is ... something living. That is all I know," Snowcora says. She doesn't mention the part that it's well, rutting her quite effectively at the moment; she's quite full down below.
A few attempts are made to shift the Creeper, but in the end the Ksh'atga begins to chant. It's a very sibilant one, of course, and seems to go one for several minutes. Cyprian is facing Snowcora, and his eyes narrow at first, but then relax - so the spell must not be dangerous, whatever it is.
Snowcora arches her brow questioningly to Cyprian. "I feel like artwork on display," she remarks dryly.
"Highest quality artwork," Cyprian corrects.
Snowcora smiles, amused.
The spell finishes, and Snowcora gets a severe chill where the Creeper is flush to her skin before it begins to let go of her.
Snowcora goes up on her toes! She didn't quite expect that, nor how fast it vacates her insides, leaving her feeling rather, well, empty. She reaches up to peal the creature off of her chest and from between her legs. She then hands the now limp creature over to Cyprian. "You may model it if you wish," she teases.
Cyprian holds the creature as if he expects it to spring to life at any moment and molest him.
"Live wildly," Snowcora suggests to Cyprian. Nevermind now she is really on display, and her lower bits are still aroused from wearing that thing.
"Ahh, ssssso much better," the Naga notes, and Snowcora can feel its cold fingers tracing things out. "Thisss depictss the Sssea of Sssouls does it not?" it asks.
Snowcora looks over her shoulder "Yes, it does," she confirms. "Placed upon my back at the direction of Sunala.
"A sssomewhat ssslower journey to dessstruction than that which our own Great Ssserpent provides," Belet'Seri comments. "But the other Kindly Onesss may each have their own afterlivess for their followersss.. although all eventually go to the Sseea, correct?"
"Correct. The Sea is the final place for all," Snowcora confirms.
"Doesss thisss artwork convey ssspecial abilitiesss to you?" is the next question. So far, Snowcora hasn't detected any sort of magical probing.
"The artwork? No, it does not. It is symbolic only," Snowcora says, which is true. That artwork has never coveyed any abilities she didn't already have as the Barsunala. "Why do you ask?"
"I wasss wondering if they had ritual importance," the Naga replies. "The marking of religiousss figures usually involvess ceremony." The cold hands touch of the rings that flow in lines down Snowcora's back (to become wing-piercings otherwise). Snowcora is also urged to turn around again.
Snowcora turns around slowly. "The application was quite ritualistic. My back took many hours and much pain to complete," the human claims as she faces the naga once more.
The other symbols are noted, and each implant and piercing examined with cold fingers. Eventually the Naga can't help but focus on Snowcora's right forearm. "Thisss isss not like the Creeper creature," the Mage notes.
"That? No, that is actually something the Barsunala gave me. Well, let me share from him; a link to the former Shadow of Amena, a creature he defeated. He shares its 'gift' to me so that I can protect myself," Snowcora explains. "This is only a fragment of the whole, which he carries and safeguards."
"Your badge of worthinessss?" the Naga asks. "The Shadow. Wass it one of the ancient Shadow Dragons of legend?"
"It was, and it was captured and enslaved by Amenlichli a very long time ago. The Barsunala recently tore it from her grasp," Snowcora explains. "And yes, it is a badge, of sorts."
"Fascinating," the Naga says, and finally retreats slightly. Like Rostre, the Spirit Mage has a certain chemical odor. "But asss interessting as you and your counterpart are, my purview only extends to funerary and memorial cussstoms. Will you be able to aid my resssearch?"
"That entirely depends on what you wish to research," Snowcora answers rather noncomittally. "What is it you are looking to learn?"
"Common cussstoms public, private and religiousss," the Naga explains. "I wish to visit the Monument to those lossst to the Boomer. A family's House of the Dead. The preparation of the body performed by the Yodhsunala.. and if possible, an examination of a srinala."
Snowcora takes a deep breath. "Some of that may be arrangeable. Visiting the monument should be possible, and arraging to visit a family House will just require the agreement of some family," she says politely, "Now being present for the prepration of a body is more complictaed; it is considered sacred and disruptions would not be tolerated. Also, the examination of a Srinala will not. Few are allowed access to them, and their protector is a very hard and strong Yodh."
"I undersstand," Belet'Seri says. "We do not possess mediums in the Empire," the Naga says, then gapes her mouth in the Naga version of laughter. "I made a pun," she then explains.
"I am afraid that I missed the pun," Snowcora apologizes. "Please explain further?"
"Ah.." the Naga says. "Perhapsss I did it incorrectly. The phrase 'we do not possess mediums' has two meaningsss. The first is one of quantity - we have no mediums. But, it also means that we do not employ mediums, for the purpose of a medium is to be possessed by a ssspirit."
"Ah," Snowcora concedes. "Well, you should not make light of such matters around the Yodhsunala; it would be considered offensive. Those that protect the Srinala care for them as if they were their own children and wished they were not in the state that they are. It is a complex and complicated subject. The Barsunala himself was born from a Srinala, after all."
"But a srinala can be ussed to embody any ssspirit, yess?" the Naga asks. "Regardlessss of gender or ssspecies?"
"That is generally true, yes," Snowcora concedes.
"I have only encountered one case of cross-species possession," the Mage claims. "Although it isss still uncertain if it wass a matter of Spirit possession or not. I wasss not able to follow up in detail, however."
Snowcora's brow arches slightly. "What case was this? Who possessed what?" she inquires, curious. "Also, may I put the creeper back on, or do you wish to examine me further?"
"I was only curiousss," the Naga says, and gestures to the Creeper. "It wass not an actual examination, I merely wished to appreciate the artistry and learn of its purpose. I cannot say much of the possession case, since it involves a possible First Ones or Exile archaeological site. The victim was returned to his proper identity, however. It was treated as a case of possession-by-artifact."
"Ah. Not a situation I am aware of, I am afraid," Snowcora says and shrugs her shoulders a little. "I can leave the creeper off, if you prefer. I am ... used to being naked. My body does not permit much clothing."
"You are an albino, like myssself then?" Belet'Seri asks.
"I am. My skin is very sensitive," the human states as she glances back at Cyprian and his possession of 'Mr. Grabby'.
"I can probably find something to keep this in," Cyprian notes. "We have plenty of Life Mages at the moment."
"If you wish. Or I can put it back on," Snowcora offers.
The Mind Mage holds it back out to Snowcora then, asking, "Do you need special help or does it just know what to do?
"It generally knows what to do," Snowcora admits as she takes the creatre back. She has to drape it over her back and pull its arms around to her front, then press the fingerpads to her nipples first. Once thise, well, latch, she can reach between her legs and pull the lower petal up and press it over her vulva.
"Would you care for sssome hot tea?" the Naga offers once Snowcora is 'dressed' again. "And.. how ssshould I address you? Between usss girlss, you can call me Ningi if you wish."
Snowcora twitches a little when cerain, well, bits grow up into her and resume both filling her completely and working her like a sensual lover. "Tea would be lovely, thank you," she replies with a smile. "I am called the Shrine Maiden usually, but my name is Snowcora if you wish to use it."
"Ah, being able to avoid titles can be useful," Ningishzida claims, and gestures to her Garter, which begins the tea preparations - by first starting a little fire in the ornate, miniature ceramic stove that the teapot rests atop. The larger Naga actually arranges her coils to provide a seat that is out of the direct sunbeam for Snowcora. "Thank you, Ssssyprian. You may leave now."
Snowcora eyes this coiled 'lap' being offered to her. Still, Cyprian said she was odd, but not dangerous, so it would be rude to turn down the polite offer. So, the human sashays over (it's the only way Snowcora can walk, really, and the creeper encourages hip gyration), then turns and settles her backside down upon the naga's coils. "Thank you," she replies with a smile.
"Do not hesitate to call on me for anything you might need, ladies," Cyprian says, and bows before hanging up Snowcora's cloak and exiting.
"A pleasant enough man but I never could relax around Mind Mages," Ningi notes. "The dead are sssso much less troublesome."
"I find him quite pleasant and gentle," Snowcora notes, "And respectful."
"I'm not very usssed to dealing with living people," Ningi admits. "Or being sssso far above-ground in a building. I work in catacombsss mostly. Are there burial catacombs in Babel?"
"There are," Snowcora confirms. "The houses of the dead are complex and ornate. Also very well guarded from grave robbers. The penalty for that is ... joining the catacomb."
"The dead are more defenseless than the living, so naturally would need more protection," the Naga says, watching her small assistant work. "I don't know why anyone would wisssh to rob a grave, however."
"For trinkets and jewelry buried with the bodies," Snowcora points out as she shifts a bit; the activity down below making her watch to squirm a little.
"Oh.. we don't bury our dead," Ningi claims. "Well.. not officially. Out in the sssticks perhapsss. Important people are interred in the catacombsss, where we Ksh'atga care for them in case their wisssdeom iss required again. I am ssso curious to ssee a House of the Dead though. I hear their are like actual houses, only full of shrines."
"In cause their wisdom is needed again? The raising of the dead is severely frowned upon in this city. Such acts will be met with very quick and brutal responses," Snowcora warns, though not with any anger in her tone. "I highly recommend you do not mention such around any Yodh, or in public at all."
"But isss that not the purpose of the srinalas?" Ningi asks, sounding confused. The little Garter looks up and makes some tapping noises with the handle of its tea-whisk, as if to remind the larger one that a Tea Ceremony is happening.
"It is, and it is done very sparingly. What you spoke of sounded as if you were using their original bodies to do it, which is considered necromancy," Snowcora clarifies.
"Of course we use the original bodiesss to conjure their spiritsss," Ningi says. "We don't have a Barsunala that can sssort things out." She does quiet down though as the tea is almost ready.
"I am not here to judge your practicies," Snowcora notes, "Just merely suggesting topics you should not voluntarily disclose to the Yodhsunala should you visit them." She then too quiets down.
With a few finally bits of ceremony, the tea is prepared. The little Garter hands bowls of green brew to Ningi and Snowcora, then bows from its.. hips.. and begins to ritually clean the tea making implements.
Ningi doesn't sip from her bowl at first, but dips one tine of her forked tongue into it.
Snowcora accepts the bowl. Instead of drinking from it at first, she raises it and sniffs the contents lightly.
It doesn't have a very strong odor, but then this is tea for Nagas - which have no sense of taste. It may be that the ritual itself is more important than the ingredients.
Snowcora is watching the naga out of the corner of her eyes, looking for clues on the proper behavior. Only Pierce after all has a forked tongue; Snowcora's is intact. So, she doesn't have a tine to dip. In goes just the very tip of her tongue, then.
The tea is hot still, but not scalding. And it's rather bitter, which doesn't encourage her to keep her tongue in place for long. Why are all of the world's popular hot beverages so bitter or nasty?
Snowcora draws her tongue back quickly enough. Why is it that people with money always buy nasty drinks? Are they just trying to one-up each other on who can stomach the worst stuff?
Finally, Ningi sips at her tea, looking contemplative. "I hope it iss to your liking," she says. "I understand that humansss can consume jusst about anything."
"It is bitter, but tolerable," Snowcora says politely. "I do not detect it being poisonous or anything of the such, nor any reason it would be." She smiles and tastes it again, to be sure (and to make sure her tongue doesn't go numb!). "Now ... in what order do you want to tackle your research...?"