The taste of Gorphat's lips (and semi-related fluids) is still on Alptraum's lips when he arrives in the empty Hall - save for two others. Yodhrephath Koldesh is either engaged in combat or 'heavy sparring' with Rephath herself. Both of the warrior women are naked, and showing a few bleeding a cuts and bruises as they fight hand-to-hand in the sunken floor of the chamber. They either haven't noticed Alptraum yet, or don't want to take their attention off of one another.
Alptraum sure doesn't want both of them mad at him, so he holds off interrupting or saying anything for the time being. So, instead he waits quietly and watches, while wiping his mouth off repeatedly and wishing he had a breath mint.
The two women continue to wail on one another. If not for Rephath's long braid of hair it would be hard to tell the two apart - except that even bloodied and bruised, Rephath still has her supernatural beauty. That may mean this is actually Rephath, and not just Koldesh's dream-image of her. The hits echo through the hall, making them seem even more powerful than they should be.
"These two make me feel like a little girl, and I'm a guy," Alptraum thinks as he rubs a bit over his face, and shifts nervously from foot to foot. So, Koldesh does commune with Rephath on occasion.
There isn't any talking, so Rephath is more hands-on with her communing. But it might explain how the High Priestess is so tough. But Rephath is a goddess, and she gets through Koldesh's defense to land a staggering blow against the side of her head. This, of course, staggers Koldesh. That's when Rephath glances up and sees Alptraum.
"Oh dash, spotted," Alptraum thinks. Unsure of how to exactly respond, he sort of waves lamely. Even a glance from this one is like a super death glare from your mother when you're a child.
"Are you here for me or for her?" Rephath asks from right behind Alptraum, having vanished from the arena.
Alptraum stands up straight! "Her," Alptraum admits. "I have a matter to discuss with her and I'm not in a position where I can visit her in person. I can come back later; I do not wish to interrupt."
"You can clean us up," Rephath says, putting a hand on Alptraum's shoulder. "She doesn't have any secrets from me after all.. and neither should you, nephew."
"Clean you up? As in a bath?" Alptraum asks and looks over his shoulder. "There's no reason to keep it secret from either of you."
"And a massage," Rephath says. And then they're in the bath, where Alptraum was informed by Koldesh and Rizalka that he was technically their husband. And he's naked too, which at least means his clothes don't get wet. Koldesh grins with just the non-swollen half of her face, and says, "I haven't had a dream like this in some time."
Alptraum rubs over his face. "What, a nightmare for some poor foolish guy?" he asks before he catches himself and coughs, a lot. Once he actually collects himself, he says while looking for something to watch Koldesh's face with, "I have updates on the whole raider situation that has been a thorn in your side. It's not what was thought."
Koldesh pulls Alptraum into her lap so he has easier access to her face. "Is it good news?"
"Not .... exactly," Alptraum admits as he uses a found towel to start washing at that battered face. "The raiders are more or less victims too, forced on suicide missions to specifically ... test the Yodhrephath. They're looking for weaknesses so their masters can exploit them. The masters are ... some of the escaped Royal Mages. They hold the raiders lives in their hands, and make them suffer horribly if they refused. It's actually kinder for them to die at the Yodh's hands than theirs. And so, they take those missions."
"Yodhrephath Megara has confirmed some of that," Koldesh notes. "Suicide mob attacks. Nonsensical tactics, but effective. What of those that don't join in the mob attack? The suicide squad was clearly untrained and inexperienced."
"Well, they still do steal in order to find things, I ... think. Also, to observe and report back the reactions. The last Yodhrephath actually confused them because she changed tactics on them, and according to the strategist, you never change tactics," Alptraum notes as he delicately clears away some blood and tries to get the swelling to go down some.
One of Koldesh's eyes is heavily bloodshot, but the other is clear at least. "What strategist?" she asks. "There's someone actually planning out these attacks?"
"An Aeonian they kidnapped and forced to work out the plans," Alptraum says, "And how can you even see right now?" He shakes his head and then goes right back to work, being quite gentle with any cleaning, and always following fur growth direction as going against it would likely be painful. "He wants to escape and is trying to work out how to get all the captives out. The ones they captured from the ships? They use those as 'life' batteries to heal raiders. A rather, ah, grim and horrid technique that I am certain violates several rules and laws. I'm here specifically to ask you if those people can request asylum and protection from the mage-slavers. They want to flee to Babel, but after all the raids, they're terrified you would gut them on sight."
"We don't execute on sight unless there is combat.. now," Koldesh says. "There would be trials."
"And if they were forced into the battles against their wills?" Alptraum inquires.
"It is still a crime to attack a Yodhrephath escort," Koldesh notes. "If they had a reason they could not kill themselves, we will hear it. If they aid in capturing the Mages however, it would garner some good will. It seems that the ones who directly attacked us went down as well."
"I'll pass that along. I should note that as things stand, I need them to escape where I am, unless I want to completely blow my cover and kill everyone myself on the way out," Alptraum notes grimly. "And I do not wish to lead people to their own death dishonestly. Odd as that may sound."
"I would like to meet the strategist," Koldesh says.
"If he escapes, that is? Do you plan to kill him?" Alptraum inquires.
"He developed a tactic to bring down a mounted Yodhrephath," Koldesh notes. "Knowing your weaknesses is the first step to overcome them. I want to know if he can develop a tactic for us that would nullify the one he used to bring down a Yodh and her ptera."
"I imagine he would be more than willing to help," Alptraum has to concede as he moves to cleaning up her neck, shoulders, and even chest (what little of one she has). "What do you make of the Royal Mages being behind this? What do you think they want? I doubt they're planning a full-scale invasion, but that's a guess on my part."
"The would need a sizeable army.. and if they are using slave-soldiers they do not have an army, unless they are just being used to test their tactics," Koldesh says. "And they could not use them against Babel directly and last more than a few moments. So they are devising a way to draw our attention away from the real goal."
"Which would be what? What could they possibly still want from here?" Alptraum asks.
"They were forced to flee, and would have had to leave behind much of their wealth and tools," Rephath chimes in. "There could be something they have hidden away that they wish to retrieve.. or are going to engage in terror tactics to undermine the authority of the Coalition. It is also possible that someone has promised to return their positions and status if they aid in the overthrow of the Coalition."
"Overthrowing is highly unlikely. I'm leaning towards they want something still here. An in and out attack, so to speak," Alptraum says and ends up shrugging soon after. "But that's just my gut feeling on the matter, I don't have ant hard evidence."
"Anything they left behind that wasn't well hidden would have been taken by the Mage's Guild," Rephath notes. "But they aren't the only ones forced to leave on short notice. The General may have left something powerful behind, and needs to have it retrieved. If she and her forces are still confined to the Valley of Mists, she would require outside aid."
"Capturing one of the rogue mages alive would be informative," Rephath notes.
"Working on that, too. There are a lot of things to account for and we're having to play it by ear, so to speak," Alptraum concedes as he stops working on Koldesh to now clean off Rephath. But that, at least isn't dealing with wounds, just cleaning off Koldesh's blood.
While just as muscular as Koldesh, Rephath is still quiet feminine. "Can you not eat the mage and gain his knowledge?" she asks. "Or kill him and then summon his spirit to answer? Actually.. summoning the spirit does not require he be dead.. at least not the way mages do it."
"If you have a location, we can send warriors ahead to take the mage into custody during this escape attempt," Koldesh says.
"I don't have a location yet, and the mage would need to be incapacitated so that he doesn't do a life-suck on everyone trying to escape," Alptraum notes. "I will keep you informed." There's a pause, then he looks at Rephath and notes, "While yes, I could gain his knowledge to a degree, or try to summon his spirit ... I would rather not. There are risks in doing such to both myself, and in alerting people I'd rather not know I am involved ... yet."
"I take if things get to the point where you must reveal yourself, you will need some backup?" Rephath asks. "Is your companion with you?"
"I'm alone, no backup at my location," Alptraum notes, "Unless you mean the bureaucrat, but she's only good if I need to insult people." He grins a little at that. "I might need backup, I might not. I mean, I could kill everyone there with only minimal effort. But ... that is always risky to me. I'm wary of fully exercising abilities I have at hand for fear of corrupting myself. Well, any more than I already am."
"I haven't heard of this risk before," Koldesh notes, leaning forward. "What is this corruption? A disease?"
"The more I use certain abilities, the more I will want to. It's like becoming addicted," Alptraum tries to explain. "So, I always try to act in moderation."
"Being addicted to killing would be rather inconvenient," Rephath agrees. "My daughters do not possess the battle-lust of Blakat's girls. But the Yodhblakat can go full-on berserk in battle. If you cannot remain in control in battle, you are less effective - so you risk ultimately losing control if you engage in using your abilities, it seems."
"I risk becoming ... hmm. Well, evil. Becoming focused on myself and wants, moreso than others. Losing my touch with people, so to speak," Alptraum tries to explain a little. "Losing the parts of myself I'm actually proud of."
"So, you risk becoming a monster or a god," Rephath says without a bit of self-consciousness.
"Yes, I resk becoming more like my Aunts," Alptraum remarks dryly.
"I see why you exercise restraint then," Koldesh says. Apparently this isn't in any way insulting to Rephath - but then she's probably the goddess with the least amount of self-delusion about such things. "I'm not surprised the Sisters aren't corrupting you, when there is quite a bit of lore about them corrupting any mortal they interact with."
"I have astounding will power to resist their charms. And threats," Alptraum jokes. "But on the plus side it does mean I get to spend time with them and enjoy it."
And when he says that, Rephath pulls him down into her lap. "All of us?" she whispers into his ear.
Alptraum squeaks! "Yes, all of you," he claims in quivering defiance. "Or, wait, are you asking if I enjoy the time? I thought it was the threats..."
"Who threatens you?" Rephath asks.. threateningly. "You spend time with Gorphat and Inala. Therefore you must be fearless. Even Zakaro talks of you coming to improve her status."
"Blakat does. And you do," Alptraum points out. "Really, all of you do to some degree, whether you know it or not. Wait, what? You talk to Zakaro? Do you have family picnics?" That last comment comes with him imagining probably what would be the worst family picnic ever.
"I maintain a watch on all of my Sisters who have self-control issues," Rephath notes. "One of us must be the responsible one. I blame you, now that I cannot simply indulge my own desire for vengeance. It makes the actions of the others stand out more to me."
"You blame me for learning self control and compassion?" Alptraum has to ask. "Okay, I can live with that sort of blame. Even if it comes with other complications." That last bit comes with a glance at Koldesh.
"I am not a complication," Koldesh argues. "Don't you enjoy being my husband?" she asks.. far too calmly.
"Did I say I didn't?" Alptraum asks, amused. "The most fun things in life tend to be complicated."
"I expect you to spar with me again when you return," Koldesh says, and grins.. even though it's still lopsided from the swelling.
"Since she is injured, you will be my consort now," Rephath then claims, and hugs Alptraum tightly.
"Spar? You already know you will kick my butt, unless I cheat," Alptraum argues with Koldesh, then ends up squeaking loudly at that hug! "What, do you wish to be spanked, again, Rephath?" he coos at her. Two can play at this embarrassing game.
"Perhaps," Rephath replies. "I may have you spank all of my Yodh."
This makes Alptraum blink. "You're joking, right?" he asks.
"Why would I joke?" Rephath asks. "It will reveal who needs to exercise harder."
"We could just spank each other to do that," Koldesh points out.
"Alptraum will be less biased," Rephath shoots back.
"And tired of ass," Alptraum quips.
"Seriously, though ... you wish me to be your consort tonight?" Alptraum has to ask, just to be sure. "You never impressed me as one who enjoys such."
"Inala and Gorphat enjoy your attention.. even Barada and presumably Blakat," Rephath says. "If I can overcome my inertia in other ways, I should loosen up on this point as well. It has been a long time since the days of Dronnel."
"I'm sure Inala would have spreader toys that can loosen you up," Alptraum quips, even though he probably should not.
"Unlikely, I have very good muscle control," Rephath claims. "I can probably crush a man's pelvis."
"I would prefer if you did not," Alptraum notes as he tries to slip away...
Rephath also has a very firm grip, as Alptraum discovers. "You are a demigod. Besides, you survived Koldesh and Rizalka. They are not exactly gentle."
"Oh, no, they are not, indeed," Alptraum has to agree, and look over at Koldesh, whom is probably looking smug about it. Unsure of how exactly to, well, begin with someone like her, Alptraum decides to just go for ... something. Namely, he spins back around to face her, then dips his head in and bites her on the neck and shoulder!
It is like biting into rock, until Rephath relaxes her muscles a moment later. "Is this a love bite?" she asks. Even relaxed, she's not exactly soft.
Alptraum tries to suckle on her while thinking ow. He can't exactly answer her, so he explores with his hands, tracing the disturbingly feminine, and yet very hard, body of this emotionless God-thing.
Well, the parts that should be soft actually are, if he doesn't press too deeply. His jaw starts to get sore, but eventually he gets some blood, which tastes rather masculine, unsurprisingly. The Yodhrephath have a high degree of male hormones due to their diet. Rephath probably eats testicles raw for breakfast. And Rephath starts patting Alptraum's back. It's almost maternal, if confused.
Alptraum's jaws release and he sits back. "That ... doesn't help," he admits. "You don't react, at all."
"I'm not hitting you.." Rephath says a bit defensively. "How should I.. wait," she says. A moment later, she's a bit smaller and younger - and softer. This may be the original form of Rephath in the lore: Rephesa, the balance who brings mercy.
"But is this the same as you are now?" Alptraum points out. "You wanted me to be Rephath's consort, the stronger, harder, you. This is ... I don't know." He's still exploring her, trying to make sense of it. "Do you even want to be this?"
"This is a part of me now," Rephesa claims. "You reminded me of who I used to be, after all. You wish to show mercy to those who have been used against the Yodhrephath. And don't think I'm not as strong.. Mercy takes more strength than Vengeance, after all."
"It takes control, and a willingness to not fall to the level of those you face," Alptraum has to concede. This time he leans in and simply locks along her neck gently instead of just biring her.
The new bite still causes Rephesa to gasp. She doesn't quite melt yet though. "She's so pretty," Koldesh notes from the other side of the pool.
"Does that bother you? Do you think you are not?" Alptraum has to ask, then bites her again, seeing if this time she sort of feels it. This is coupled with some rather firm grope-caressing. Depending of if Inala's blessing works here, that may soon lead to other effects.
Rephesa is definitely making interesting noises. In a sense Rephath could be 'virgin' Goddess, and that could go doubly for long-forgotten Rephesa. She even quivers a bit. "It makes me want to protect her," Koldesh says. "Huh.. the strong should want to protect the weak, shouldn't they?"
The bite ends and Alptraum switches to lick-nibbling on the Goddess' ears. "Usually, yes," he comments to Koldesh between nibbles. "Defend those that cannot defend themselves at the time."
"Being weak is.. interesting," Rephesa says, and giggles at the ear nibbles. "I feel innocent. But Mercy isn't about innocence, it's about being strong enough to forgive. Well, not exactly forgive. You can be merciful without forgiving."
"Being merciful also isn't about always forgiving, too. Some acts are beyond mercy for the perpetrator, and your mercy is for the victims to give them closure," Alptraum tries to explain. "So, it's not about being a doormat at all, unlike what some would tell you. It's measured acts, focusing on what is the best good for all and for the future." Of course given he's slipped a hand down and is tickling and exploring other Eeee bits between thighs, she might not be paying much attention.
The giggling takes on a higher-pitch, and there's more squirming under the water now. Of course when she closes up her thighs like that Alptraum's hand is effectively caught.. so may as well make the best of the situation.
Claws can be used quite evilly to cause interesting kinds of pain (and tickling). He also uses the moment to spin her around so that soon she's in his lap, instead of him in hers. That's when he tries to, well, pry those legs apart slowly. "Oh dear, I'm storming the gates," he deadpans.
"You plan to storm Mt. Rephath's peaks and valleys?" Rephesa gasps, but with a smile on her lips. No.. no innocence there.
"Are you going to spank her?" Koldesh asks. "If not.. can I?" She wiggles her fingers menacingly.
"With a special battering ram, of course," Alptraum claims as he works those legs apart. Then with a bit of creative shifting and one solid push, the gates part for said ram. Said peaks are claw-tickled and squeezed, too, while he kisses the odd Goddess. This may be so he can free one hand for a moment and point to Rephesa's butt while she is distracted.
And distracted she is, but she does jump a bit (and squeeze down on Alptraum) she Koldesh pinches her butt instead of spanking it. There's even a girly squeak, muffled as it is by Alptraum's kiss.
Alptraum follows up with a swat on Rephesa's butt, more sound than actual discomfort ... just because.
She still squeaks, and the way things jiggle from the swat feels good to Alptraum, certainly!
From there things proceed to firm and consistent motions of the 'battering ram', punctuated by playful swats on Rephesa's bottom. "So, want to be tied up and spanked too?" he teases Koldesh. "Been a bad girl lately?"
"I have never been a bad girl," Koldesh claims. "I am a bad woman. I do know plenty of interrogation knots though."
"Don't tie me up!" Rephesa pleads while being bounced up and down, which sort of causes some self-spanking against the water at least.
"It's supposed to be fun not painful," Alptraum points out, then has to focus on the silly-acting Goddess before he gets into real trouble. So, he does, closing his eyes and using touch and sound to see how many sounds he can get her to make, and if he can actually work her towards something in spite of herself.
She seems particularly prone to hysterical giggling and tittering. But tweaking causes squeaking, and there is plenty to tweak. And since she's a goddess, the water doesn't interfere with lubrication at all!
Then comes the peak nibbling, nipping, and nursing, which means Gephesa has to arch her back into a 'C' shape. Alptraum punctuates this by slower, but harder, pushes, and the digging of claws into various parts.
Koldesh helps by supporting Rephesa's shoulders so she can lean back further - Eeee are surprisingly flexible after all! It also lets Rephesa gets her legs around Alptraum's waist for a better grip! She practically coos at the suckling. Inala's blessing does work on her Sisters apparently too, and goddess milk is always pretty sweet.
So, soon the Goddess is suspended between the other two Eeee. "You're almost like a wingman at a bar with this," he remarks to Koldesh; you even, er, look rather male, he comments between switching peaks so things don't get sore (namely his jaw).
"It's the haircut," Koldesh claims, and dips down to give Rephesa a kiss as well. And at least the goddess isn't at Inala levels of endowment, so things are a bit more manageable. But she's bucking back with her hips against Alptraum now, which may be a sign that she's beginning to reassert herself.
Alptraum encourages the bucking by shifting and moving to find the position that encourages it the most. "Personally," he whispers in Koldesh's ear in a break, "I think you're sexy like that." He punctuates that with a lick of the Eeee's ear, then goes back to focusing completely on Rephesa, trying to make her squeal in a way that would embarrass even the Goddess.