At the center of the mineral spring was an island - or rather a sandbar. A small one. But it was pleasantly free of petrified monsters. It was also a relatively soft surface for Cricket to adjust to her new center of gravity. "I have to hold them up when I walk," she exaggerates. After all, her wings are still actually heavier. "So," Tulani asks Alptraum, "when do we go drinking?"

"You do not. Buit, if they're a problem, I can simply remove your breasts," Alptraum remarks rather dryly. "As for when we go drinking, it has to be later tonight, after I deal with some stuff at Mt. Repath. Of course you and Tulani can go on a date without me earlier if you want."

"I may have to take a nap back at the nest then," Tulani says, and then stretches like a cat. "I need to put back your jewelry soon too," she notes.

"They'd notice you if you two were making out," Alptraum points out, then looks at Tulani oddly. "Why soon?" he asks.

"Well, you aren't undercover anymore," the Sphynx notes. "Unless you still have Willow-Work to do? How are the men you brought back faring under the Yodhrephath?"

"I don't to my knowledge. Are you worried my holes will close up?" Alptraum asks with a smirk. "As for the men, I don't know ... but I suspect they're okay. The Yodh promised to behave. Sort of."

Alptraum chuckles. "I miss having boobs," he admits and shakes his head. "I'm losing my mind."

"I got used to having them. They felt nice," Alptraum says and shrugs, then sits up. "And I suppose we should get back so you two can prepare for fun while I have to do a job."

"Time to swim again," Tulani notes. "Then drying. I can't wait to see how Cricket reacts to that! And I assume we are bypassing the Yodhinala cemetery?"

Tulani follows, and so can't really respond until they reach the shore, with Cricket still trying to catch up (since, for whatever reason, Babelites don't get in a lot of swimming practice). "Because your pick boyfriend who lurks there," Tulani notes.

"Not my boyfriend," Alptraum laughs as he climbs up onto the shore, then uses his wing to flick more water onto Tulani. "But fair point, are you worried he might grab you and go to town?"

"Why would he go for me?" Tulani asks, shaking out her feathers. "Doesn't he prefer petite woman, like the rat?" Cricket is bent over, trying to get water out of her ears. "This water is heavy-wet," she complains.

"So, he'd go after Cricket? HE wouldn't go after me, I'm not a woman," Alptraum points out. "Do you want me to help dry you off again?"

"No towels, so yes please," Tulani says. "Well, he'd recognize you though, right?"

"I don't think he's met me as me," Alptraum points out and then grabs both of Tulani's breasts with his hands. And before she can swat him, he engulfs her neck-down in shadow to do the squeegee drying...

"If you're feeling me up with shadow, are your hands even necessary?" Tulani has to ask, one white eyebrow arched. Cricket watches closely.

"No, but it's still fun," Alptraum comments and smirks. Poor Tulani gets a bit of a playful probing between her legs while the shadow is squeezing out the water in the rest of her fur and feather.

"You know there are restraints back in the nest," Tulani points out with a.. maybe a growl, maybe a throaty purr.

"For whom, though?" Alptraum retorts and grins. He takes probably longer than necessary, but the shadow was playing a bit with her, in intimate ways, just to get her going a little. Then it withdraws. Mean bat.

"I'm sure there are special rooms at Paradise with fun equipment," Tulani notes. "Not that I'm vengeful, but I do need to get my teasing in."

"Can you taste the minerals in the water when you do that?" Cricket asks Alptraum.

"Don't you save that for Pierce, though?" Alptraum remarks. To Cricket, he shakes his head. "Nope," he says, then grabs her boobs and engulfs her next!

"Eeee-heee-heee!" Cricket giggles, and of course squirms. "So, I'm making milk, I won't get pregnant right?" she asks after catching her breath.

"Darn! It's because these are Inala blessings I bet!" Cricket says. "I thought She was against the other Yodh breeding though."

"Times change. Anyway, don't be reckless," Alptraum comments and keeps the shadow work ongoing, and now probing her too.

This makes Cricket squirm even more. "If nobody knows I'm a Yodhbarada, they might flirt with me though!" she argues. "Am I only safe with you? That would work too!"

"I could temporarily make you sterile," Alptraum offers. "And who said you were safe with me?"

"So if you get me pregnant, do I automatically get to be High Priestess then?" Cricket asks, pausing in her squirming to focus on the answer.

"You'd never get left alone if that were the case," Tulani points out. "And Yodhbarada, traditionally, do not get pregnant. That really is something Inala is picky about. Or else it was because she liked Barada best."

"I can make anyone pregnant if I tried," Alptraum points out to Tulani. He goes back to making sure Cricket is fully dry, then engulfs her head too, leaving just her ears and mouth free, for the moment! "And now you also have to travel without knowing where you are going..."

"So she can hear me while I explain this," Alptraum points out. "It's temporary. And we'll gather the robes."

"Well, there you go. So, shall we take our prisoner back so that she can be interrogated by Mave?" Alptraum asks Tulani.

"You aren't going to walk me through town like this, right?" Cricket asks. "I'd know if you did!"

"So you admit to being my prisoner?" Tulani asks. "Oh.. you mean Cricket. Sure!" And the Sphynx heads towards the tunnel that should lead out.

"We might," Alptraum tells Cricket. "Now, nighty night!" Alptraum cackles, then seals up her ears too! And her mouth. But, he leaves her nethers and breasts free, which he tickles briefly.

That nearly makes the girl pass out! She can't giggle and still breathe after all. She does try to grab Alptraum however.

Alptraum pats Cricket's butt. "Lead on, catbutt! On to your Mistress, Mave!" he declares.

Since they're walking, the route is rather scenic for a bit. The base of the mountains is not as jagged on this side (the Sisters have forgiving behinds) so the going is easy as well. Cricket only trips twice. Then comes the climb up Mt. Inala, which means first going through the Yodhinala cemetery. Which, as cemeteries go, is rather nice.. or was, when the gardens were still being tended, and some of the artwork still remained.

"All right, no one try to look too sexy or horny, and we'll all be fine," Alptraum remarks as he continues on with the pair.

Cricket doesn't hear the advice, not could she respond. She looks a bit like a young Yodhinala though. "One out of two good enough?" Tulani asks with a grin.

"Well ... hopefully," Alptraum admits. "Lets not linger, though," he adds, and hurries on.

Hurrying causes Cricket to stumble more often, especially with more obstacles on the ground. They're nearly half-way through before they hear the grunt of a large animal from nearby.

"Argh, bad," Alptraum grumbles and hefts Cricket over his shoulder! "We gotta go, now!" he blurts, then runs!

"I smell you," Alptraum hears in his head, which probably means Rhugaro does recognize him. There isn't a follow-up though. It also isn't clear how Cricket is fairing from being bounced around over his shoulder, but at least she's not clawing at anything. Tulani shows off (perhaps) by hurdling over grave markers in her path. "What's a safe distance?" she calls to Alptraum.

"Just outside! You may need to take Cricket, and I lead this ... creature off!" Alptraum calls after Tulani!

"Will the shadow stick to her?" Tulani asks, slowing as they reach the upper tier of the cemetery, where there's more statuary than tombs.

"No, but I can put her to sleep. You're almost there!" Alptraum points out, "Deal, or no?" He looks around rapidly for Rugharo.

"Sure, put her to sleep and I'll get her to the nest," Tulani says. "I assume Rhugaro will listen to you?"

"Hopefully," Alptraum says, and has to focus a moment to see if he can put Cricket into deep sleep. If that works, he'll withdraw the shadow and hand her off. "Worst case, I can fly up. He can't."

Given that Cricket's already on the verge of atoxia, putting her into a form of sleep wouldn't be hard: it's just a variation of the 'stasis' the shadow can put something in for faster-style kenning.

Once there's no squirming, Alptraum withdraws the shadow and hands Tulani off. "Go, quickly! I'll make sure he doesn't follow you." he tells Tulani.

Alptraum rubs his forehead and watches Tulani leave. "All right ... so, where are you?" Alptraum calls out, trying to remain calm.

A large heads rises up above a marble sarcophagus, disturbingly close. It snorts.

Alptraum blinks. "I am allowed to be here, and we have official business on the mountain," he says, still trying to sound calm.

"You haven't visited me," Rhugaro notes. "You did not even stop and say hello."

"I'm not, er ... equipped to visit you," Alptraum notes and gestures to himself. "And if I stopped, you'd want some, er ... pleasure?"

"I am the Sacred Monster of Inala," the demon notes. "Company is pleasant. I know I am not good talky as others."

Alptraum approaches and after a moment of hesitation, strokes the demon's cheek, "I know. And you are good company, usually. How can I make you feel better?"

"Cake," Rhugaro claims. "Yodh would come with cake and honey, let me lick it off of them. Or do fun petting. Sometimes many at once."

"What about the Barinala? Did they do things for you too?" Alptraum inquires, now curious.

Alptraum hesitates, but starts petting Rugharo a little. Mostly on his chest and such. "Do, you, er, wish me to spend a little time with you before I go into the temple?" he asks worriedly.

"I like rat girl," Rhugaro notes. It's not quite an answer, but then it could also just be a random observation. Rhugaro is of the big and dumb sort, after all.

"I honestly don't know, but I could try," Alptraum admits, then reaches down and er, strokes the beast's ... beast.

It's soon like dealing with an arm. One that is making a fist, to boot. Rhugaro isn't really moving, beyond shifting his weight a bit. "Usually three Yodh for this. And.. more for rest. More than three is many. Many Yodh." Of course that was probably acolyte duty.

Alptraum looks really confused, and kneels down, then, er, licks that arm. He starts seriously pondering becoming the rat for a little bit.

Alptraum looks up. "Hmm?" he asks, ears splayed out. HE continues to rub and stroke as he feels, well, like doom is fast at hand.

The hand (or paw really) seems to be to keep Alptraum from leaving - so now that things have started, he's stuck with seeing them through. Although that doesn't mean he couldn't cheat. But he's never actually tried using the shadow on any of the sacred demons like that.

Alptraum's ears splay, then he looks back down to resume tending to the demon. Which .. involves a lot of licking, and stroking, and occasionally even daring to lick and put his muzzle over the, er, tip to nurse a little on it. Talk about things they leave out of being a DemiGod manual; tending to demons.

It can also lead to serious jaw strain. But Rhugaro grunts when he likes something, and so far hasn't gotten aggressive. There's no telling how long that will last though.

Alptraum remembers that it hurt when he first met the rat, too, but he continues on, trying different things, ways to lick and rub and such ... and repeats anything that the demon seems to like.

There are urrrrr rumbles now, and Rhugaro is starting to move more as well. This results in Alptraum getting smacked in the face a few times, unfortunately, when things suddenly swing about.

Alptraum grips the 'arm' and says, "Give me a moment, please." Then it's a quick dip into the shadow to find the rat before the beast tears him apart! He also suspects Inala is somewhere laughing her ass off.

It doesn't take long, but there's barely time for Nikky to orient herself. Rhugaro grabs her as soon as the shadow retracts, and pushes her back onto the sarcophagus.

Nikky squeaks! "Oy! No romance?" she cackles as she looks up at the beast. "I wuz gonna suckle on ya, but iffin you rather just git to it..." She flutters her eyes.

The answer is a grunt and a snort, before the Skreek is being parted. While 'able to take anything' is Nikky's blessing, Rhugaro puts it to the test (being part of Inala's lore causes a certain amount of immunity to Nikky's blessing). Still, since the rat's head doesn't pop off from the first plunge, her blessing must still be intact.

Nikky grunts in a rather un-ladylike way. "Ah, right to it, I see," she cackles and pushes her hips towards the best (as much as she can). She feels stuffed to the brim, but that's the sort of thing that gets her going too, so it's all good. A little pain makes it all the better and more exciting ... to crazy rats anyway.

Soon she's getting half-smothered by the demon, who certainly isn't holding back. And probably the only time he doesn't have to (unless the old stories of him being used as Inala's executioner are true).

Nikky isn't worried about those old legends right now. No, she's in a full-on lunacy-cackling rut with the beast. She's pushing back as much as she can, but mostly she's just riding it out as the usual waves-o-fun start tickling through her. Man, it always feels good to be the slutty-rat! Even the time Inala made her all preggers was, in her words, awesome! So this ... well. Okay, she's not about being on the receiving end of animal husbandry. She'll bed anything.

Even if not for the blessing, the shear pounding would no doubt wreck a normal person - but Igorinas are built extremely tough. Maybe literally - but if so certainly with better craftsmanship than their male counterparts. It's just that much extra 'bouncy bouncy' for the rat, even when the lid of the sarcophagus shifts some from Rhugaro's efforts. But he does gronk loudly eventually, and pauses to rest for a moment.. before carrying Nikky to the other end of the sarcophagus and starting up again, ostensibly to shift the slab back into place.

Course the move to push the lid back made Nikky cackle like mad. Even bruised and sore, she's having a hoot of a time. No wonder Rhugharo likes her! "Oh yeh, I forgot how good yer at ruttin' big boy. You can do this anytime t' me!" she giggles to him, and even hugs him.

"I do this every time," the demon points out, after round two is finished and he can think again for the most part. "Next time bring cake and honey."

"Ya gotta use all my holes text time, too," Nikky requests in her usual insane sort of way. "But yah, I keep dat in mind. Sorry iffin I upset you earlier and iffin you been lonely."

"Inala going away?" Rhugaro asks, in a sort of pitiful 'but she's my master' way of a dutiful pet.

"I hope not! Things are just different! We see," Nikky says and pets Rhugharo's cheeks.

"Lemon cake," the demon requests, before popping out of Nikky (which is also messy). Then he licks her cheek with a tongue as big as her head.

Nikky laughs and bats at the great beast! "'kay, I remember. I gotta get in there before people panic an all, so ... gotta bring back de bat," she apologizes ... then disappears back into shadow. To first clean herself up, then change back to Alptraum. All the while going from loving being a slut, to being horrified by his own behavior once back to being Alptraum.

And it might not help that Rhugaro is still there and slurps Alptraum too.. from his knees to his chin. Then he turns and ambles off to wherever he guards the cemetery from.

Alptraum covers his face with his hands. "Inala, what have you done to me," he whimpers. "Why do I like that so much?"

At least she doesn't answer vocally, but Alptraum does get a sudden, surprising case of arousal.

"Not funny," Alptraum mutters as he gets up and sulk-walks back up through the graveyard. Hopefully Tulani made it fine, and poor Cricket is okay too.

He doesn't run into them inside the temple itself, but after using the secret door, descending the stairs and entering the Nest he can hear them.

The Nest
Deep beneath the Temple of Inala is a secret bunker, where some of the Yodhinalas' treasure and special items were stored. Currently it's been reclaimed by the once High Priestess, Mave, and her companions.

Cricket is curled up asleep in the pillow pile, while Mave watches over her. Tulani is doing something further inside the bunker. The last real Yodhinala smiles to Alptraum. "Your face does match your loins," she notes. "Are you alright?"

"The Beast has been placated!" Alptraum announces, "And no, I don't want to talk about it." He glances at Cricket and asks, "Is she okay?" But before he lets Mave answer, he pulls her in close, dips her back, and kisses her. And it's .. the sort of kiss that has some real affection to it, not just one of lust or no meaning. He did kind of miss Mave, in spite of Mave's ... Maveness.

"That was.. well not unexpected but a bit more sincere than I thought," Mave says, and actually sounds a little worried. "What happened on your latest mission?"

"What? Am I not allowed to genuinely care for you, Mave?" Alptraum asks as he looks at Mave a bit sidelong. "Can I not want at least some of our times together to have meaning beyond mere pleasure?" He shakes his head a bit and notes, "Anyway, nothing as bad as others had. I was prisoner for a bit, the perpetrators were former Royal Mages. One was captured, and I'll be helping with the interrogation."

"So... sounds horrible, actually," Mave notes, and gives Alptraum a friendly kiss back. "You probably only had the snarky dragon to help you. And the less snarky one too."

"Nothing compared to what I went through at the rat," Alptraum notes and shrugs, looking a little disappointed Mave didn't respond more to him actually showing genuine affection. "So, where's Tulani?"

Yodhinala probably aren't used to genuine affection (or possibly taught that it doesn't exist). "Looking for clothes that fit, and complaining about how her leather clothes were perfectly fine before they froze and should bounce back. I'm not certain she actually know how clothes work very well. I have been trying to teach her about fashion."

"I think Tulani wants to fit me with my jewelry again. But .... I don't know. Do you think I should put them back, or not bother with it?" Alptraum asks. "And she's not into clothes as much as some women, true. It's just not as important in her line of work."

"In her former line of work," Mave notes. "She's not a sailor anymore. But the Yodhbarada where never fashionable, so much as ostentatious when they could be, unobtrusive otherwise. This one doesn't even have clothes." She gestures to Cricket. "Your jewelry is yours. You collected it for a reason. If that reason no longer applies, than you aren't beholden to wearing it again unless you want to."

"That isn't helpful, you know. Knowing others actually like it is a reason too. Sometimes I do stuff because others like it. What a foreign concept," Alptraum points out. "And Cricket doesn't have any because we took it from her before bringing her here."

"So that's what Tulani was 'wearing' around her hips?" Mave asks. "Is this your personal Yodhbarada - or rather, Tulani's handler in Babel?"

"Cricket belongs to me," Alptraum notes, rather seriously. "And yes, she coordinates with Tulani. Cricket is a good girl; at least from what I've seen. Give her a chance."

"Oh, we used to have the Yodhbarada at the Temple all the time," Mave recalls. "They probably did more business here than at Mt. Barada. We made good use of them, as well."

Alptraum rubs his neck. "Have you never just liked someone for them? Not for what they can do to benefit you?" he asks. "Yes, Cricket is valuable in a purely mercenary sense for me, but she's also my friend. I will do things for her without necessarily getting something back."

"If I looked at what people could do to benefit me," Alptraum points out, "I would have gutted you a long time ago, back in the Well. But I gave you a chance, and I thought we were somewhat friends now, not just mutually beneficial."

"Even the Yodhinala were cruel," Mave notes, a bit sadly. "Babel was a place where you couldn't easily trust someone, even if you liked them. Especially when it was important to be liked to survive."

"Not even family, in my case," Mave claims. "My daughter in the Temple became High Priestess after me, but was eager to see me 'retire' to get that position. I do not think she did well in it, before she met her end."

"And look where that got you, and her," Alptraum points out and gestures around. "You now depend on me, when you'd rather I be some slave serving you. And yet here I am still trying to be a friend, not just a tool."

"I am no longer grasping at justifications to continue existing," Mave tells Alptraum, and smiles at him. "I don't want you to serve me. I don't need to live here in seclusion - unlike my daughter, I cultivated good relations with many well off families. My other children became part of their households, safe from this life. I still have those relations. But I'm not one to seek out a life of leisure and luxury."

"If you had the opportunity to kill me, would you?" Alptraum asks. "If you were promised all my power and such if you killed me. Would you?"

"No," Mave says. "You are the Barsunala, and part of Babel's future. I have my role to play in that as well. I think you understand as well as any that those who crave power are usually the least fit to possess it. And while I've certainly sought influence for personal reasons, I'm not so ambitious to crave power. Your power is right where it belongs. I'm here to help now."

"Then why do you do everything in your power to make me feel bad, or pointless, or stupid, when all I try to be to you is a friend?" Alptraum asks. "I was looking forward to seeing you again. I even spent time thinking about things we could just do, to relax, and forget all the stresses. To not be so wrapped up in titles and just relax with the person. I'm an idiot, and a fool, and I should probably get back to Mt. Rephath. I have a mage to interrogate, and probably kill. Well, three mages, but they're all in one body."

Alptraum sighs and rubs his forehead. "You reminded me, once again, that I'm an idiot to think anyone in Babel can just be a friend. That it's all about what you can get out of another person. All my work in this town to try and change things has been pointless," he says. "I'm going to go get dressed now, and go deal with the mages. At least I can take out my anger and frustration on them with little feeling of guilt over it."

"I'm sorry, Alptraum," Mave apologizes. "I am a terrible person, after all. I don't know why you want me as a friend. I don't know if I even had any friends before. I was on friendly terms with people, but.. I don't know how to behave."

"No, you're not a terrible person, you're just a good sign of how badly I've failed," Alptraum says. "If I couldn't do anything for you, how can I hope to make any real impact long term in this city?"

"If I can't make a difference in someone that lives with me, how can I expect to make any difference among people that only know of me?" Alptraum points out.

"Please don't judge others by the examples of the Yodh... or of me," Mave says. "The others.. the Yodhgorphat, Yodhsunala, Yodhrephath.. you have made a difference. There.. just isn't anything to change here, because the Yodhinala are gone. They aren't needed anymore. Babel needs a new, better goddess. I'm just a lone old witch, hiding in a cave and trying to do the one thing I can to make a difference."

"And refusing to let me help you find a place, or trying to see anything differently. I'm a fool to think I'm anything other than a tool when it comes down to it. A means to an end," Alptraum says. "Dagh, maybe I should just ally with Amenlichli and help her burn the world. Not sure it's worth saving anymore."

"What about her?" Mave asks, gesturing to the sleeping Cricket. "I'm not the future that's at risk, I'm the past that needs to be moved on from. Why should I matter so much?"

"Because, how do I know she really feels any different? Knowing me makes her feel important. I'm a means to her end too," Alptraum points out. "And you matter, because I wanted to save you. Telling me you're beyond saving isn't the point. It was something I wanted, okay? So that maybe at the end of it all I could give you a chance to feel like your life was worth living, even with everything. Sometimes I have selfish wants too, and I wanted to help you because you've had so much bad happen, I wanted something good for you."

"And all you ever do is tell me my efforts are worthless," Alptraum says. "Hence, I'm the idiot, because I stupidly keep trying."

"Even if it isn't what I want?" Mave asks. "I don't go to my death, Alptraum. If Rinala deems me worthy, then she will save me, or grant me a new life. Your efforts are not worthless, but I need to seek my own redemption. You can't give me that, because redemption isn't given. You can't give Babel redemption either. This city needs to rise up and redeem itself. You can show them the way, and give them the opportunity to do it though."

"It isn't given, but it also isn't earned by pushing away those who actually do care. I've seen the literal worst this city has to offer. I need my stupid bright spots to keep me going through this. If I have none, then I may as well have just burned the whole city and wiped out our race because I can't keep doing this without something positive coming from it. I can only bear so much before I honestly just give up. I've ruined Tulani, I've done nothing for you. Others come to me because of what they can get," Alptraum says and gestures to Cricket, "I haven't done a damn bit of good in this city that lasts."

"Yeah, I can be selfish too. I can't just give and give and endure with no reward at the end of the day," Alptraum says, "After a point, all I feel is bitter and angry."

"The Streets Below have been emptied," Mave notes gently. "Those that would block the way to this city being reborn have been swept aside.. are still being swept aside. I don't know what I did to.. disappoint you like this. I don't know how to have normal relationships, because of how I was taught. How can I be what you need, without.. falling back on all of that? Of giving you only what I think you need, or what a Yodhbarada tells me you crave? I can't exactly make smalltalk, since.. I am a bit behind on current events."

"When you fail at home, anything outside of it is ... like going to a buffet, but all you can taste is ash. Have you not realized that basically you and Tulani are my family here? You're who I come home to. Who I have to confide in. The people I shouldn't have to ... play a role for," Alptraum says and shrugs. "I'm tired; it's been a long time, and I thought coming home would have been ... nicer, I guess. I'm tired of having the ghosts in my head as my only companions."

"I am here for you Alptraum, I'm only sorry that I don't live up to your expectations," Mave says, and hugs him from behind. "I have never been so vulnerable with anyone as I have with you. I trust you. You have no reason to trust me, though, I know. I don't know what I'm supposed to give you that.. is genuine. I'm not sure myself what is real and what is reflex."

"Tulani ... I've turned into a monster. Her dragon side is taking over, and that's my fault. You ... I've accomplished nothing for. And you're the two closest to me. Try to imagine how that makes me feel?" Alptraum suggests. "I'm trying to explain this and it's hard."

"We're also taking on this task with you," Mave says. "It's why we are here. It isn't up to you to make it easier for us. Tulani is strong. She has been the dragon for days now? Give her a chance to recover. We are all dealing with identity issues, after all."

"If I can't make things easier for my friends, how can I possibly help those who are not?" Alptraum points out, gently. "I don't want this to destroy either of you. A hero that helps everyone but those closest to them isn't much of one, to be honest. I was thinking about how you've been down here alone all the time lately, that I was going to actually play your harem boy for a night and actually serve you and things you wanted, just because I thought you'd enjoy the attention for a night. I know, it's stupid."

"Ah, sometimes I want to be the doting one more than anything," Mave admits. "I would like to see my daughters again. Perhaps they would like a harem boy for the night while visiting? I would like to leave this prison that I keep myself in, but where could I go that would not cause issues?"

"Not Paradise; you and Bara would likely conflict. I think she is one of your daughters," ALptraum notes and sighs. "And I wouldn't think you'd want me to change your look; you're beautiful as you are."

"I'm no longer a Yodhinala, and I wonder if my pride was what I had in place of identity," Mave says. "I've never actually seen much of Babel. This Temple was my world, before it was destroyed and the slakash took me prisoner. I've seen more of Sylvania."

"Well, if I'm to be like a real person, it would be nice to see what real people are like," Mave notes. "As a Yodhinala, what the real people got up to never mattered. It isn't like we served them, really. No reason to understand them. I think all of the Yodh were like that, except probably the Yodhbarada. I'd like to see the Pit memorial. Or the new plaza where everyone mixes. Are there any people you know that I might.. get along with? Which is to say: older women."

"Sadly, Bara in many respects. I like her a great deal," Alptraum admits. "Or perhaps the Eeee owner of the body art studio. She's odd, but a good person."

"Not that mysterious, really. She's fond of my savanite form," Alptraum admits and shrugs. "And the one who did most of my decoration."

"I suppose we could discuss make-up," Mave notes, and with a bit of a smirk. "Now.. how do you wish to dress for interrogating wizards?"

"Or you learn how to do body art and jewelry," Alptraum notes and shrugs. "How I dress for that doesn't really matter, since it'll take place in a 'side plane' of existence anyway, where how I appear is my choice."

"Clothes always make an impression," Mave claims, leading Alptraum back towards the 'closet' area. "It just depends on the impression you want to make. For instance, this would seem to be a serious visit, rather than a social one. The Yodhrephath should realize this with a single glance at you."

I could just show up naked, save for a big bow on my thing," Alptraum remarks rather dryly. "I'm not particilarly sure what makes me look any more serious than I usually do."

"Well, something with Sunala imagery might help," Mave notes. "Of course I don't have anything like that, but you may want to take up having an 'official' Barsunala outfit made. You do have your necklace though. But.. we can probably borrow from other styles. Something in colors of a Spirit Mage's raiment perhaps, or just something a bit more severe."

"I don't even know what a Barsunala outfit would look like. And you've known me this long and never tried to get clothing on me you liked?" Alptraum has to ask and glances over. "What would atypical Bar of each goddess wear normally?"

"Well, the regular barsunala wear black uniforms, the barinala wear loincloths.. I don't believe there are barbarada, barblakat or bargorphat. Barzakaro dress rather heavily, I believe - to set them apart from the naked Yodhzakaro. Barrephath wear uniforms similar to the Yodhrephath."

"I'd suggest for you to wear white on this occasion though," the Yodhinala says.

"You are going to be dealing with Mages, and even if they are Babelite Royal Mages, they still follow the customs of the Collegia," Mave explains. "White is the color of Spirit Mages. Secondly it will be a big departure from what you're expected to wear - namely black - and will get attention, and with that attention realization that this is important. Just in case they've gotten used to your presence somehow."

"Oh, I can make an entrance that would get everyone's attention, but I do agree using clothing is probably a better bet. It would need to be something I can fly in of course. Plus Tulani still has to refit me with, well, everything," Alptraum notes. "Most white stuff you have would be inala-related, wouldn't it?"

"Not everything," Mave claims, heading into what is generally known as the 'costume play' area, used for specific fantasies. "You know we regularly held wedding ceremonies here, and often received the clothing in donation before the reception orgy. We have a good selection of suits.."

"And ... all your fantasy clothing too," Alptraum remarks as he follows after Mave. "You aren't trying to make me look silly, are you?"

"I'm trying to make you look.. I suppose the term would be professional," Mave notes, pulling a white jacket that has too-wide shoulders before putting it back. "Within reason. I don't think I can fit your chest, so open-tunic still for that." She settles on something that looks like a female style at first, if not for the broader shoulders. It's a long tunic with a wrap-around sash-belt, the color of bleached bone.

"What's wrong with my chest?" Alptraum asks and even looks down, "I don't even have breasts right now." Then the Eeee shrugs and takes the outfit and tests to see if it will fit at all.

"It's very broad for Babel.. at least, for the sorts who came to Mt. Inala for weddings." Mave makes some adjustments. It exposes the white star-scar at the center of Alptraum's chest, which makes a nice backdrop for the necklace with the rune of Sunala on it. "Makes you look a bit more imposing too," she notes. "Is it comfortable? We still have to find pants.."

"I wore a lot worse when I was younger. It fits and feels fine," Alptraum concedes. "I forget how bad my scar looks, though."

"It's a striking feature, and looks painful.. and you're there to inflict pain.. or at least the threat of pain," Mave notes. "Also the white won't hide bloodstains."

"I wasn't planning to draw blood personally," Alptraum notes, "And yes, it was rather painful. Pity it didn't finish the job, though." Now he's looking for pants doo, probably something darker so he doesn't look like a baker.

Most of the trousers in this area are softer, high thread-count cloth as opposed to anything particularly sturdy - and Alptraum can hear Tulani muttering to herself about the lack of 'practical' leather not far away.

"Nothing is really travel-worthy in the pants department, but they should be good enough," Alptraum notes as he looks for something brown or dark gray/blue to pair with the white upper.

There are plenty of duller shades, from white through gray and tan, including blacks, blues and of course greens and purples. Mt. Inala weddings are classy after all. Some of the pants have sequins and ornate codpieces even.

Alptraum stays away from anything ridiculously fancy or 'accentuating'. "I think darker pants with the top, do you agree or disagree?" he ask Mave.

"Dark pants are good, they won't be too distracting," Mave agrees, nodding her head and tapping her chin.

Alptraum goes for dark gray then, do keep with his monochrome look. "What about undergarments?" he asks, possibly seriously, possibly not.

"You expect pants and underwear?" Mave gasps. "Talk about high maintenance! Whatever you usually wear should be fine."

"I'm never wearing clothes again!" Tulani complains. "So I may need you to go to a tailor for me. I'll get the little pliers, they help with some of that stuff."

"Eh, I don't need underwear, though I could be odd and wear stuff for women, just to mess with people," Alptraum jokes. "I'm sure you could find something in the plaza that could fit you. You're just larger than Eeee, and this is Eeee clothing." he adds.

"If you go with underwear, just make sure it's comfortable," Mave notes. "I can make alterations you know," she then calls to Tulani.

"She does!" Alptraum answers, then to Mave notes, "What's wrong with leather? I like leather."

"Yes, but she is hung up about it," Mave notes. "I could probably convince her to wear nothing but leather belts."

"Why don't you?" Alptraum has to ask. "For that matter, why have you never dressed me as a sexy boy toy?"

"I don't see you that way," Mave claims. "Did you want me to dress you up? I've taught you a lot of Yodhinala.. well, barinala.. techniques after all."

"Why don't you see me that way? And yes, sometimes I would have liked to do silly stuff like that," Alptraum notes. "And well, I think we've found everything we need for my trip back to the happy fun place that is Mount Rephath."

"Well, I'll make sure they're freshened up while you get your jewelry put back in," Mave says, holding her hands out for the clothes. "We'll have to a dress-up party, whoever can dress the other in the kinkiest outfit wins."

"You'd win," Alptraum notes, and hands over the clothing to Mave. He then, while Mave's hands are occupied, pulls her in close and bites her at the base of the neck and shoulder ... to have a snack.

The bat squeaks in surprise, and then says, "Don't drip any on the clothes.." in a breathy voice. Mave tastes spicier than usual.

Alptraum actually involves the shadow to make it disturbingly pleasurable in all sorts of internal squirmy ways. But, he does keep it short at least. Why did he do that? Probably to just mess with Mave a little for upsetting him earlier.

"Don't underestimate your kinkiness," Mave notes after she catches her breath. "We'll also need to pick a judge. Is it up to me to dress Cricket?"

"What do you mean you don't understand?" Alptraum has to ask. "And yes, you are. Don't embarrass her too much, please."

"That requires clothes? What manner of fun? I could use some specifics," Mave points out.

"We're going to the Paradise club. I think," Alptraum says. "Hey, Tulani, we're going to the PAradise club later, right?"

"Yes, since I may have to wear my dress anyway," Tulani says, and seems to be heading out of the closet area. "Come over the bath area."

"I'm sure I can find something appropriate for our young friend," Mave promises.

"She's a Yodhbarada," Mave points out. "We aren't rivals. Of all the Yodh, the Yodhinala and Yodhbarada are the closest."

"Just making sure," Alptraum agrees. "I have to go see Tulani and get tortured now. Pardon me," he remarks, then sashays himself towards the bath area.

Tulani still hasn't dressed, since she apparently didn't find anything she liked (or that fit). She's got a small wooden box and a pair of heavy-duty tweezers. "So, you should probably get comfortable for this!" she notes with a grin.

One of Alptraum's ears skew sideways. "What exactly do you mean by that? I'm already pretty naked," he admits as he sits down and leans back against the tub.

Kneeling down, Tulani sets the box on the floor and opens it up. It's full of Alptraum's jewelry, a little glass bottle and a folded piece of paper. Tulani takes the paper out first and looks it over. "So.. start with the ears?" she asks.

Alpraum splays out his ears. "Sure. Go for it," he says, "They're least likely to be uncomfortable."

"Plus I don't need the reference for them," Tulani notes as she starts to insert the various pieces. "Did you get these in Grommit? It seems like forever ago."

"I think so. It all seems so much like a lifetime ago," Alptraum admits as his ears hold still. "Still not even sure why I've done all of this to myself, other than I wanted to."

After getting the last one in, Tulani holds up the nose ring. "So, ring back in? I'll need to pull the plug first."

"What do you think? Should I actually wear it to Mt Rephath? It doesn't seem particularly professional," Alptraum admits.

"Oh.. probably not," Tulani agrees, setting it back into the box. "Better to save it for the club!" She then takes out the barbels. "Alright, perk up your nipples so this will be easier!"

Alptraum smirks. "It would be more fun if you did it," Alptraum points out, then he decides to be weird about it, and uses two shadow tentacles to fondle and suckle on his own nipples to make them perk up. It also reminds him that he misses having breasts.

"Does that work?" Tulani has to ask. "I have a hard time stimulating mine by myself."

"Not as well as if someone else does it," Alptraum admits. "So, you actually do play with yours by yourself?"

"Airships can get boring," Tulani answers. Then tweaks one of Alptraum's nipples to check perkiness levels.

That helps perk things up. "You do know that having rings or bars in them do make them more sensitive and it's easier for you t, ah, stimulate yourself when they're in, yes?" Alptraum notes.

"Cold weather does too.. are you still trying to get me to pierce mine?" Tulani asks, then has to focus on getting the first one through tiny hole.

"Yeah, I am," Alptraum admits while Tulani twiddles his nipple with the bar. "You light try licking them first, for ... lubrication..."

"Sure.. but you asked for it.." Tulani says, and leans down to lick them. With a rather dry, raspy tongue.. it takes awhile to produce some saliva.

Alptraum goes Rrrrrr! Okay, so he likes it a bit ... rough. "Good kitty," he teases and strokes Tulani's neck.

To her credit, Tulani does not bite after that remark. She does stop after a bit to see if it worked though.

It's a bit slippery, but Tulani doesn't tug too hard or resort to the tweezers to get the first barbel through. Screwing the other ball end on is a bit trickier, but at least she can partially retract her claws to manage it.

Alptraum, for his part, squirms a bit and even hisses. Things shrunk a bit since he's had them out for a while. So ... it's a stretch to get them back in. "Okay, good idea to not leave these out for a long time..."

"I suppose you could just use the shadow to make them bigger," Tulani notes, then immediately goes to work on the other nipple.

"That would be cheating," Alptraum claims, then plays with Tulani's ears while she works.

That does earn a light bite, and lots of ear flicking. Felines are fickle about their ears apparently. They're also a lot softer than Eeee ears, which can't be turned inside-out without damage.

The next one goes in a bit easier at least, since Tulani has had some practice. "Wings next? They should be easy!" she asks.

Alptraum spreads his wings wide, casting a shadow! then curls thenm around so Tulani can easily reach them. "Indeed, Mistress Catbutt," he says.

"I don't know where you came up with that nickname," Tulani notes, and starts putting the rings through the little 'slits' in the wing vanes nears the tips of the fingers. "And Eeee wings are weird."

"Why are they weird. They're built like big hands," Alptraum points out. "And I came up with it because you have a big ol' catbutt, catbutt," he teases, then uses his feet to cup it.

"My butt is not big!" Tulani mrowls, and adds, "And that's what makes them weird. They're big spidery hands." Although really, due to her Vartan side, Tulani's butt and hips probably are a little wider than actual Khattas.

Alptraum's feet knead Tulani's butt. "I like your butt," he claims. "I also like you, playing with you, doing terrible and lewd things to you, and trying to corrupt you," Alptraum claims, then licks her nose.

"Oh, you're trying to corrupt me?" Tulani asks as she works. "I'm no more corrupt than when we met.. probably!"

"When you get your nipples and nethers pierced up like me, I'll have succeeded," Alptraum teases and uses his claws on his feet now to scratch along Tulani's backside.

"What, not my butt?" Tulani asks, rolling her hips in time to the kneading. After the last ring is in, she notes, "Time for the chains!"

Alptraum laughs. "There's nothing to pierce on your butt. Now, your tail has options," Alptraum notes.

Alptraum folds his wings in and then flops on his back. He also spreads his legs. "Now, if you want to play down there a bit first, I wouldn't complain," he teases, grins, and looks upward.

"Well, doesn't that make the skin tighter though?" Tulani asks, setting the diagram on Alptraum's stomach. "And does that make it easier?" She plucks at his scrotum to see how much stretch there is.. and because find the holes is tricky enough as it is.

"No, it doesn't. But if Mr. Happy is satisfied, I have less worry about things stimulating for a bit. Any way, I'll behave, really. Even with how weird this is," he admits.

"So.. a bit of this then?" Tulani asks.. and uses her wings to stroke the area a bit. They aren't as dextrous as wings with fingers would be, but the feathers are soft.

Alptraum eees and arches a little. "Sorta," he squeaks! "I suppose I deserved it for the catbutt comments."

"So this is good?" Tulani purrs, and speeds up her feather dusting. "Should I wear a little maids outfit too?" she teases.

"Hah! You'd look cute and a submissive little maid, always ready to serve her Master Eeee and his perverse desires!" Alptraum cackles. "But I really should get back to Mt. Rephath. I can't hide from things I need to do."

"Alright, try not to bite your tongue if things get pinchy," Tulani says, and starts looking for the holes, starting with the one on Alptraum's handle, because.. it's easier to keep hold of.

Alptraum's toes do a little dance and he bites his lip. Okay, this part is uncomfortable, and the idea of using the shadow to make things bigger is more appealing! "Just be gentle!" he squeaks.

"How?" Tulani asks, with a hint of frustration as she has to get into an awkward position to try and spot the holes, even using the diagram as a guide - partly because her anatomical drawing skills are not the best. Finally she finds it, and gets the first ring in place. Then she daubs on some of the disinfectant fluid from the bottle just in case. This is less pleasant than the insertion - but probably better than being irritated there later.

Alptraum mmmmfts and snorts out through his nose! He's also all tensed up for a minute until it starts to subside some. "Well, at least I know you enjoy them on me," he whimpers afterward.

"Not putting them on so much," Tulani admits. She also gives a squeeze, feeling the harder bits under the skin. "At least these don't come out!" Then she takes a breath and dives in again to tug around the scrotal skin, which is even harder to deal with. "I wish I could put a candle on your thigh to help shine through the hole.."

Alptraum squeaks ... then gets a disturbing idea. HE uses the shadow, to make said scrotum sprout little black tentacles to indicate where the holes are.

"Ah, that's better," Tulani says, and starts inserting the rings. And the disinfectant daubs of course.

Alptraum draws back the shadow whenever she finds one of the holes and goes to work. The disinfectant still makes him squeak in pain, though!

"Chain it is then," Tulani notes, and threads it.. including the shaft-ring, which gets tugged down as the chain is pulled tighter.

"Well, enough to keep any embarrassing reactions from rearing up," Tulani claims. "This works as a chastity chain regardless of your sex, after all."

"Which I think you like all too much. You don't let Pierce out of it hardly at all!" Alptraum claims.

"It appeals to my feline sensibilities for some reason.. and it's shiny, which appeals to my Vartan ones," Tulani says, and purrs. "Don't you like being shiny for me?" She gets out the little lock next. "I'll make sure there's some slack.."

"I just like teasing you. I rather enjoy you fitting me and tightening it," Alptraum says with a playful sort of grin.

After clasping the lock closed, Tulani says, "I won't tell Cricket about this.. so if she tries to get you worked up, it'll be fun to see how you deal with it. I like teasing too!"

Alptraum grumps! "That's mean. And it will have to come off later for tonight anyway!" he insists. "And I think that is that ... so I should get dressed and head to Mt. Repath."

"Well, I doubt the Yodhrephath are going to get a rise out of you," Tulani says as she puts away her tools and diagram and stands up. "How nasty is the Doctor?"

"I really don't know. Amoral, for sure, and willing to do whatever it takes for its goals. It might be Vorgie level evil, but probably not that bad," Alptraum admits. "It's something I have to find out. And I may have to go to a really dark place inside myself in order to deal with it."

"Sounds very unpleasant," Tulani says, holding her hand out to help Alptraum up. "But you should fine so long as you don't end up asking yourself what ol' Vorg would do. Or Kaira either for that matter."

"I have plenty of examples from Babel folk to go by. I don't need dragon input," Alptraum points out. "Still, it'll likely all be very depressing. I hope I survive it, mentally speaking," he admits.

"Hmmm, just don't take any crap from the Doctor," Tulani says. "Be big, be scary, be mean, and don't give an inch! That's the advice of someone who has a stubborn brother."

"Your brother wasn't that fierce. Remember, I've met him," Alptraum laughs and points out. "But I can't say I'm terribly excited to go play the monster. I worry often on when it'll go from an act, to being true."

"You're a gypsy, a performer," Tulani says. "This is just another performance, with an unfriendly audience - maybe. Maybe the Doctor is very religious? You won't know until you get into his head."

"Eh, I know he's evil and killed a lot of people. That should be enough to not feel bad about anything I do, right?" Alptraum asks.

"Did you feel bad about what happened to those nobles that tortured Cerise?" Tulani asks.

"Well, just because what the Doctor did wasn't done to you, you can still probably imagine how bad it was for his victims," Tulani notes. "Be sure to find out everything! Convince him confession is important for.. whatever."

"For not being tortured for eternity," Alptraum finishes that sentence. "I do intend to be pretty terrifying. I can be. I just want it to stay an act and not become who I am."

"Well, there can't be too many creatures like this to deal with," Tulani notes. Mave appears behind her, holding Alptraum's clothes.

"Even one is really too many. And behind him is Amenlichli, that makes him look like a choir boy of ultimate purity," Alptraum says, sadly. "And hello Mave. Done with my clothing? I do need to get going and get this over with..."

"No, but I would like help being dressed, because it makes me feel like I have a harem," Alptraum jokes, and grins to the pair.

"I'll try not to put any strain on your chain," Mave sort-of promises, a she goes behind Alptraum. Then presses up against his back, and says, "Put your arms back.."

Alptraum stretches his arms backwards, and makes sure his wings are well-folded in for the moment. "I'm sure you won't, you and your little sphynx chamber girl here," he teases.

While Mave gets the tunic on over Alptraum's wings and arms, Tulani begins to do a little dance.. while licking the back of her wrist and casting seductive looks at Alptraum. It looks like she paid some attention to the dances while she and Alptraum visited the gypsy camp.

Alptraum rolls his jaw. "You two are a terrible pair. Just ... gah. Why I don't just devour both of you and be done with it I don't know!" Alptraum says in mock frustration, He's really sort of enjoying the show, and it helps him forget where he's going, at least for a time. It's the small moments of silly and humor that helps everyone weather the hard parts of living when it comes down to it.

"Maybe this is the best interrogation technique," Tulani purrs, swaying her hips, butt and tail at Alptraum. Mave doesn't wrap the belt-sash to close the tunic yet, but comes around to help with Alptraum's pants. "Right leg up," she asks him from where she kneels.

Alptraum lifts the leg, and is rather good at balancing on just one! Having wings for weight balance help. "You're not asking any questions, though," he points out to Tulani. "And that does remind me of one of my own ... are you feeling better? You were rather messed up when we first got back together."

"I'm feeling more like myself," Tulani says. "I barely want to eat Cricket at all," she claims.

"Well, Cricket might like it if you ate her in certain ways," Alptraum points out as he does a little dance to switch legs. "Mave can even give tips and pointers on technique..."

"Cat tongues may be too rough," Mave says, and slowly draws the pants up, managing to run her hands up Alptraum's legs and rear in the process before closing them up.

"I can change her tongue," Alptraum offers, and chain jingles as things tense and then snag, and then .... hurt.

Mave takes some time to 'adjust' Alptraum. "Does this feel more comfortable?" she asks, hand down the front of his pants.

"Not .... really," Alptraum squeaks. It's making all the hair and fur on his body puff out now.

"Well, the bottom of the tunic will hide the bulge," Mave claims, and closes up the tunic with the wrap sash. Then she fluffs up his chest fur a bit. "Your hair should be fine as it is."

"An unkempt mess?" Alptraum jokes. "Even after all this time in Babel, I still don't feel like i fit in."

"You aren't supposed to fit in," Mave claims. "If you did, you'd just be like everyone else, and what's inspiring about that?"

"Depends on what I tried to inspire," Alptraum points out, then shrugs. "Still, it's tiring to always feel like an outsider."

"Have you found a group you really want to belong with here?" Mave asks, and brushes out Alptraum's hair a little.

"My own kind?" Alptraum points out, then shrugs a little. "How did you feel in Sylvania?"

"I was on a mission, and then.. I was a failure," Mave notes. "And now I'm back home, but stay hidden in a tomb. I'm not sure it's relatable. Having a goal helped, because I could focus on just that. The rest of the time I just felt lost, and busied myself in what tasks I had the skills for."

"Similar sort of feeling," Alptraum points out. "And you're not a failure; never have been. So stop that."

"Well, now is the time to perform again," Mave says changing the subject, making her final adjustments to Alptraum's look. "I believe the term is: knock them dead."

"That was a given," Alptraum points out. "Now, you two entertain each other while I'm away!" he declares and even points towards the ceiling. Why? Who knows.

"Onward to be utterly terrifying and angry! Which ... dagh, yhis chain will make me cranky enough for it, ow," he admits as he waddles for a while. Hopefully it'll calm down in time...