Summerland Manor has a lot of unused rooms. Alptraum is given one (after lots of dusting and cleaning). It's not a large room, just big enough for a bed, wardrobe and stand with washbasin on it. There's also a hanging perch. The young, apron-clad Fnerf girl, Cardamom asks, "Do you need anything to help you rest, and would you like to be roused at a specific time?" she asks. She has a Saskanar accent, and her maid outfit is probably from that region as well, as it's rather colorful. It's possible that she used her tail to do some of the dusting with.
"Well, if there is a place to bathe, I might want to have a bath later. Other than that, I don't think I need anything else," Alptraum says after he's made a lap around the room to check things. "As for when I wake, probably just as the sun is rising. I'm sure I have a ways to still go, and having a goodly amount of daylight would help. And no one expects Eeee to travel during the day, after all."
"If you like I can draw you a bath," the Fnerf says. "It will take a bit to heat up enough water though. Do you want your clothes laundered as well?"
"I probably don't need it, but it also wouldn't hurt. Do you have a robe I could use, then?" Alptraum asks.
"I'll borrow one of the master's dressing gowns, I'll be back in three twitches of tail," she says and backs out of the room. "My tail that is," she clarifies and closes the door.
"Given I don't have a tail, I would assume yours, yes," Alptraum comments after the fnerf is gone. He shakes his head a bit, and sighs. He also goes about checking the runes for traps, or magic runes in case this is all an elaborate trap!
There is a lot of varnish on the wooden surfaces, and the walls probably had wallpaper at one time. The small window overlooks the garden, and the wardrobe and drawers are empty. Cardamom returns while Alptraum is looking under the bed, but she knocks first.
Alptraum gets up and goes to open the door. It would be crazy not to check, after all.
Cardamom holds up a folded Eeee dressing gown. It looks old, and heavy like a tapestry. It reminds Alptraum of Dr. Twig. "You can change into this and I'll take any clothes you want washed," she says. "Then I'll get you when the bath is ready."
"All right, thank you," Alptraum says as he accepts the robe. "If you wait outside, it'll just be a few minutes to slip out of my clothing and into this," he requests.
The Fnerf nods, and backs up a bit into the hallway. It's unlikely that her father would even fit inside one of these rooms.
Now having some privacy, Alptraum does shed his current clothing, all of it, and folds it up on the bed. Then it's the battle of how to fit into the robe. It takes several tries too, it's terribly complicated! Well, it's more having multiple limbs on your torso makes any clothing more complicated. But, he does manage it! So, then it's gathering up the folded clothing and taking those out to the fnerf outside.
Cardamom perks up when the door opens, and holds her arms out for the clothing. "You aren't allergic to any plants are you?" she asks. "We make our own soap here, so it's very herbal."
"Not any I know of," Alptraum says. He can't recall ever having a reaction to anything like that.
"Very well, I'll wash these out once your bath is started. I've got the buckets heating at the hearth now," she says. Then thinks to add, "Do you need any candles? It's been awhile, but.. Eeee can see in the dark, can't they?"
"We can. Though candles aren't unwelcome either. Only if it isn't an inconvenience though," Alptraum offers.
"I'll be sure to fetch you one later then," Cardamom says, and dashes off down the hall to the stairway.
"She is in a hurry," Alptraum remarks as he watches her disappear. He's also grateful for recent shifting since it means he's not going to have any more, ah, curvy accents right now. So, back to his bedroom he goes to wait for things to warm.
Alptraum doesn't have to spend too much time alone with his thoughts. He can here Cardamom go past outside the door.. then back again. And a few minutes later rushing past yet again. Finally, there is a knock at his door.
Alptraum goes to the door and opens it. "Yeeeees?" he asks.
The girl is slightly out of breath, but smiles and says, "Your bath is ready, if you'll follow me?"
"You like running around," Alptraum observes, then sort of bows. "Lead on," he requests.
The maid leads the way to the end of the hall, a few doors down. The bathroom is there.. and it is literally just that, a room with a bathtub in it. It's a claw-footed porcelain type, with one end curving up a bit more than the other. It's likely very thick porcelain at that. It's not Fnerf sized, but an Eeee can certainly fit if they are good about managing their wings. It's steaming, and a little over half full. It smells nice as well.
There's a stool next to it with a folded towel with a glass bell on top.
"This looks lovely, thank you," Alptraum says. He doesn't even wait, he sheds his robe and sets it out of the way. Wings folk in tight, then she's heading towards the tub. He may not be looking, but he is listening just to see if the fnerf reacts.
She doesn't make any sounds of surprise, but asks, "If the water is too hot I can bring up some cool water. And if it's not enough I have more water heating for the laundry. Do you need help with your back?"
"Need? No, but help is welcome. Wings are hard to clean," Alptraum claims as he tests the water, then slips one leg in to judge the temperature.
Given how quickly the water was heated, it's not too hot despite the steam. More than body temperature at least.
"This is fine," Alptraum concludes as he lifts and sets his other leg in. From there it's just a slow sort of sitting kneel, then settling, into the tub.
Cardamom gets the dipper (which is something like wooden mug with long stick on one side) and sits her haunches down so she can more easily get to Alptraum's back. "Lean forward as much as you can please," she asks, as she starts ladling the water over his back.
Leaning forward is easy. He's pretty flexible and an Eeee, they're kind of built for bendy; helps with flying. "If you have more important things to be doing, feel free to go. There are lots more important things here than I," he claims.
"You're our only guest," Cardamom says, as she lathers up the mostly hemp-based soap and starts working it into Alptraum's shoulders (both sets). She's got strong hands, so it's half massage and half washing. "Nothing really happens out here. Master only uses a few rooms now."
"Does that bother you? He seems a good man," Alptraum says as he relaxes under the semi-massage-wash. "Not at all like the family he come from."
Attacking a knot between the wing and regular shoulder, Cardamom says, "He doesn't go outside anymore, and I don't think he's flown since I was little. He still plays with the kids at least."
"You have children, then?" Alptraum asks. "And at his age he shouldn't be flying unless it's an emergency anyway."
"The staff have children," Cardamom explains. "I have a younger brother and a young sister. I.. don't know that I'll ever have children unless I leave or another Fnerf family comes around." She moves on to the wing spares, using the water on her hands instead of trying to use the ladle.
"I rather imagine being with your brother is right out, eh?" Alptraum jokes and grins. He even looks over his shoulder and sticks out his tongue. "Point taken, though."
"We do get travelers though," she notes, and Alptraum can't tell if she sticks her tongue out when he turns his head back. "We don't get airships anymore, but there are regular wagon traders that get things for us."
"Well, that's good. I hope they're trustworthy traders. I guess the fact you've not been invaded tends to imply they're legitimate traders and not just scouts looking for targets," Alptraum says and nods. "Hopefully they come through often enough to keep things from getting too lonely."
"Mostly Rhians and Fnerfs," the girl notes. "Although sometimes they have others with them. That's how we got Jojo. Old Traders retire and young people get added. Mostly just moved around I think."
"Heh, yeah, I could see that. I've seen many groups do that. Get old enough that travel is too hard, then they find a place to settle. hen those with wanderlust tend to tag along, and thus the group continues," Alptraum muses. "But hey, that does mean plenty of fnerf guys for you, huh?" he teases.
"Well.. I think there've been two my age, but not recently," she says. "They were with their families. I don't think Mom has tried matching me up with anyone yet." She dips the dipper, and starts rinsing Alptraum's back off. "We don't get Eeee out here. Too far to fly. Did you come all the way from Babel?"
"Yes. I ... flew out from Babel. But then I'm a lot more durable than most Babelites, the distance was not beyond my ability," Alptraum says and looks back. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, we never get Eeee passing through," Cardamom notes. "We see airships every so often, heading north."
She finishes with Alptraum's back.. and starts to braid his hair.
"What kind of airships?" Alptraum asks. "I hope not warships of any sort? We've been trying to stop that sort of activity."
"I don't know, they're pretty different," Cardamom says. "Usually they're.. yachts? Private airships, kinda small, don't fly really high. Usually they have big birds pulling them, which means we can hear them from a ways off. Last one was like that, but with flying snakes pulling it. Very quiet. My brother saw it, because he likes to stargaze. He got a good look at the silhouette, he says, because it was crossing the Procession."
"Huh, I don't recall anything with airships pulled by winged serpents," Alptraum admits. "Still, if they haven't bothered you there is probably little to be concerned about regarding them."
Cardamom realizes what she's doing and stops. "Oh, sorry of messing with your hair! I braid my sister's when she bathes. You probably want to wash it!"
Alptraum laughs, "Oh, you can braid it, I don't care! Feel free. You could wash it too if you want." He even shrugs his shoulders a bit.
"You'll have to lean back for that," the girl says.
And back Alptraum leans! "And here I thought you were trying to flirt with me," he laughs and sticks out his tongue again. Nyeh.
"I'm probably not very good at that," the girl claims, and starts lathering up Alptraum's scale after dousing it with water. She has to scoop up his hair to get all of it.
"Oh, so it absolutely wasn't flirting then?" Alptraum clarifies as his eyes close and he relaxes back. It is nice to have someone else wash your hair. Ahhh.
"Braiding hair is flirtatious?" the Fnerf asks as she works the bat's scalp. And ears too, at least the outsides.
"It's touching. Most touching is flirtatious," Alptraum claims. "Like playing with someone's ears."
"My parents do this for me, and I do it for my siblings," Cardamom says. "I don't think even Molasses considers it flirty, and he nearly an adult."
"Okay, okay, I'll stop commenting," Alptraum claims, "I'll just silently imagine it instead! Much better, right?"
"Imagine what though?" she asks. Then comes the rinse. Sploosh!
"Naughty things," Alptraum claims once he doesn't feel like he's being drowned! Sputtering, he's also laughing a bit. "Sorry, I'm a tease, I should be more respectful."
"What sort of naughty things?" Cardamom asks as she gets the hair back out of Alptraum's face.
Then she asks, "Are you thinking about washing my hair?"
"No, not exactly," Alptraum admits as one eye opens. "And I'm a guest, I should be polite."
"Ah, you're teasing," Cardamom concludes. "Your hair should be dry before braiding. Do you need some fresh hot water?"
"Yes, I'm teasing, and yes hot water would be nice," Alptraum agrees. There's a pause, then an impish grin as he adds, "Just keep your tail lifted as you leave, it's a nice view." Teasing, indeed.
And Cardamom does.. but she exits backwards, rather then risk knocking anything over with it. She closes the door as well.
Alptraum hmphs. "Party pooper," he complains. He does like a good fnerf butt.
As soon as the door closes, a bubble pops against Alptraum's nose.
Which makes Alptraum sneeze!
"Gezundheit," Kaira says. She's bobbing in the water like a scaly blue duck, legs tucked in beneath her.
"Why are you here? Suffering from awesomely sexy bat withdrawal?" Alptraum jokes.
"Suffering from icky black heart exposure," the dragon claims, but doesn't look particularly icky. "Aaaaand.. I need to plan for how many people you're going to be killing."
"Do I need to come deal with the black heart personally?" Alptraum asks. "As for how many people ... I have no idea. Enough to raze a village. That could be a dozen, could be more."
"I'll prep twelve holding chambers then," Kaira says. "Are you planning to capture their spirits as well?"
"Well, for a brief time. Gorphat wants them and I can't say I'm feeling too bad about handing them over, not after what they've done," Alptraum admits ... then makes some waves to Kaira bobs around in the suds.
The dragon keeps her head steady at least, while her body bobs around. "That axe thing connects to the dagger, so you should be able to use it for both sucking and blowing."
"Your head is disturbing," Alptraum claims, "Also, the fact those two are connected sounds disturbing too. Greeaaat."
"Well, there's more... if you're interested.." Kaira teases. And bobs.
"You're going to tell me anyway, so tell me," Alptraum claims.
"How badly do you want them to suffer, at the end?" Kaira asks.
"Well, pretty badly given what they've done. And I know Gorphat will make them suffer even more, but ... sometimes people deserve it," Alptraum claims.
"Alright. We can pull the spirit halfway out of the body, then feed the outflow into it slowly instead of in one big burst, with the shadow blade sort of holding it together while it burns from the inside out," the dragon suggests while bobbing about.
"That .... that is horribly evil," Alptraum concedes. "I might do it, though. If I can figure out how."
"I have lots of evil advisors," Kaira claims. "And new abilities when interfacing with spiritual weapons."
"YOu are an evil advisor," Alptraum points out. "And where did you get these new abilities?"
"Well, the axe channels the shadow, and the shadow is.. flexible," Kaira explains. "I mean, you could have been using it all along I suppose. But the axe is a good focus. You can use the shadow to tug someone's spirit partially out of their body, which is very painful if you do it right."
"Well, that's kind of a given, I know the shadow can be used to make things excruciating if so directed to," Alptraum says. "Say, have you been getting all snog-face with that black heart and it's been what you discuss as afterglow pillow-talk?"
"No," Kaira claims, making a sour face. "That thing comes from Vorgulremik, even if a few generations removed. It's.. irritating and distracting and stinks up the place and how long do we need to hang onto it for?"
"Until I can deal with it more directly. Can't you just stick it in a world with him?" Alptraum asks.
"No way am I letting him anywhere near that thing," Kaira says, and slaps her tail on the water. "Who knows what that could lead to? It can't last for long outside of a proper host, but the dagger technically counts because of Vorgulremik's blood."
"Well, if you want I could host it," Alptraum claims with a straight face.
"Nooooo," the dragon-duck says. "Just.. spit it out into a sand pit and watch it dissolve instead. Unless you actually want to reverse engineer it or something."
"I actually may have a use for it at some point, so no. Can't you just stick it in a hole and cover it in mint?" Alptraum asks.
"It's not just a blob of.. whatever.. inside here," Kaira notes. "It's a direct line to Amena, which is currently blocked, but it screams all the time."
"Earplugs," Alptraum offers. "Muravin asked me to hold onto it."
"Fine, but it's more annoying than a vampire pumpkin," Kaira claims. "Do the Romani of this world have those? Either pumpkins or watermelons?"
"Yes, and yes," Alptraum confirms. "And are you sure you can't just stick it in an uninhabited echo somewhere?"
"Uninhabited echoes vanish," Kaira says. "I've got it an unused staging zone. Moving it is.. problematical. Who would clean up after it?"
"People who annoy you," Alptraum suggests.
"Nobody annoys me that much," Kaira notes. "I've already gotten most of them out already."
A knock comes at the door. "I have fresh water," Cardamom says from the other side.
"I annoy you that much," Alptraum points out. "He also calls out, "You can come in, pay no attention to the tiny floating dragon, even if she complains."
As the door opens, Kaira ducks under the water and hides.
Alptraum tries to fish Kaira out of the water.
The door opens and the Fnerf carries a big bucket full of sloshing hot water, then notices Alptraum wrestling with something below the surface. "Uhm..." she goes.
"It isn't what you're thinking. I'm dealing with an annoying serpent," Alptraum claims, thus probably making things worse.
"Annoying?" is the thing that Cardy picks up on. "Do you need me to whack it? We've had things come up the drainpipes before.."
"This thing came out of me. She's being a pain," Alptraum complains while he's still trying to get her to surface.
What emerges is a lot of wet, flapping wings that get water all over the place.
The Fnerf still seems frozen. "It's.. a creen?" she asks.
"See!? I told you!" Alptraum claims as he tries to keep a grip! "Kaira, behave yourself! We're guests."
"Let go of me then!" the mini-dragon chirps, creen-like.
Alptraum lets go. "Say hello to one of our hosts, then," he complains.
Kaira flies up and then lands atop Alptraum's head. "I did not fly out of his butt," she claims. Then says, "Hello, young lady."
"What is it?" Cardy asks Alptraum, looking up and down between his face and Kaira's.
"That was a crappy thing to say," Alptraum complains, and sighs. "She has no manners. She's a spirit creation, and sort of my secretary. Usually just insults me."
"Does she bite?" is the next logical question, as Cardamom still has the heavy bucket in her hands.
"Sometimes, but she will get punished if she does. She'll have to clean up after the blob, with her tongue," Alptraum threatens Kaira.
"There's a blob in there too?" the girl asks, after only taking one step closer. "Do I need to change out all of the water?"
Kaira just bobs up and down on Alptraum's head.
"There is no blob in the water, and Kaira, stop being a pain. She already heard you talk," Alptraum points out. "Sorry, she likes making me look weird."
"By sitting on your head?" Cardamom asks, and slowly ventures closer. "Where did she come from, again? And.. how does she go back?" She checks that the window is still closed.
"She's a spirit, she came from inside me, and she'll go back in at some point. I could explain further but it gets weird and ultimately it's simplest to just explain she's sort of summoned and supported by my own essence," Alptraum explains a little bit further.
"Essence," Cardamom repeats as she brings the bucket. Then she peaks before pouring it in.
"Not that sort, gross," Alptraum remarks and goes bleh.
"I'm a fierce, powerful dragon," Kaira squeaks. "I appear when I want too.. and when he calls me."
"She also wears frilly pink sundresses and lacy delicates," Alptraum adds.
"Is the lace also pink?" Cardy asks, still a bit uncertain. "I've only seen white and black lace."
"Unless it's her time of the month, then it's red," Alptraum starts to claim, then barks an 'ow!' "Claws!" he complains.
"Yes, well," Kaira says. "Do we need to discuss things further about.. plans.. and such?" she asks Alptraum.
"Probably not. Not until we're closer to the time to deal with the mages," Alptraum admits. "Sorry," he says to Cardamon, "I know I'm weird and slightly disturbing."
"Alright, I'll check in later!" Kaira says. And then sinks into Alptraum's hair to disappear.
"It wasn't a joke when you were probably told I was a supernatural creature," Alptraum admits, sighs, "Sorry. Nothing is ever quite normal around me."
The Fnerf stares, in case something else is going to come out of Alptraum's head. "You didn't smell supernatural," she finally says. "Your clothes are being washed now. Do you need help washing anything else?"
"What does supernatural smell like?" Alptraum asks. "I don't think I need help washing anything else," he also admits, "I was going to ask you to spend the night with me, but that's probably a bit too forward."
"Oh, I can do that," Cardamom says. "Would you even need the bed then?"
"Probably? I don't know," Alptraum says, "And you don't have to. I'm just weird and get weird ideas and overstep when I should be politer. My apologies."
The Fnerf tilts her foxy head. "You're the first new face in a long time," she says. "But you need to flirt with me, too."
"Hmm?" Alptraum inquires. "For the record, I can turn into a fnerf. Or just about any other race in the world," he comments.
Cardamom reaches out a finger and pokes Alptraum in the chest to make sure he's solid. "How?" she asks.
"One of my abilities. I can even be female," Alptraum claims. He's quite solid to the touch.
"But you can be a Fnerf?" she asks. "One like me? Not a miniature one?"
"Yes, one like you," Alptraum confirms, "Of either gender."
"A handsome one?" Cardamom asks next, with a bit of a lilt.
"I ... guess? I don't know how to rate attractiveness across species," Alptraum admits.
Cardamom blinks at this. "Really? Then do you think I'm even pretty at all?"
"Of course. Should I not?" Alptraum asks, blinking.
Smiling now, the girls fishes, "What is most pretty about me?" She bats her eyes and wiggles her ears.. and swishes her massive floofy tail.
"There's a loaded question," Alptraum points out. "The tail is lovely, as is your backside. Plus your facial shape, lines, angles, delicate. Nice ears too. Not that different from my own kind in some of the structure. Plus, you're kind and friendly, that makes a big difference too."
The girl taps her forepaws up and down and giggles. "Well.. you should dry off before turning into a Fnerf, otherwise it will take a lot more towels."
"Oh, so is that a request, then?" Alptraum asks, arching his brow a little. "Got any rhugrhat bridles around too?"
"Bridles.. for Rughrats?" she asks in confusion. "They'd just eat them."
"There are other uses for them," Alptraum jokes. He's also climbing out of the tub now. "I'll explain later, though. First, towels, please..."
Moving the bell, Cardamom unfolds the towel and offers it.
Alptraum accepts, then works on drying himself off. "I should probably warn the male form fnerf I have is a bit, well, large," he claims while drying off.
"Too big to get into the room?" Cardamom asks.
"Might be too big for you," Alptraum jokes.
"Do I have to lift you up or something?" the girl asks. "Can't you be smaller?"
"No not large in that way. Large in the other way," Alptraum jokes. Somehow it's less funny when they don't get it the first time, alas.
"I'll go into the room first then," Cardamom says, then bounds out towards the room.
Alptraum sighs and just puts his hands over his face. "Why do I do this? Why can't I just be normal, and not hit on everyone? Am I really that afraid to be alone?" he asks himself as he finishes drying off. "Probably, but, hell, I might not even make it back after tomorrow."
After drying and getting all floofy and foxtaurial, Alptraum pokes his head into the small bedroom. The lone candle is lit, and Cardamom is half on her side, with her tail draped over her coquettishly, her colorful garment set aside.
"Like I said, I can take on the shape of any species I have met," the now very fluffy-Traum says as he ... well, when you have four legs you can't exactly siddle, or sashay, and it loses something when you almost close the door on your butt. Still, he manages entering without too much incident, and one butt-thump can close the door. "Just remember, though, I need to get some sleep tonight..."
Alptraum did get some sleep, eventually. The furniture managed to survive, but the bedclothes ended up on the floor in a sort of limb-tangling nest. Having Cardamom draped over him adds further complications, especially when she suddenly jerks awake at dawn as if she has her own internal alarm clock.
"What, what?! Are the turnips attacking?" Alptraum blurts from his half-asleep state after being driven to being awake. Or did he ever fully fall asleep? Is it even just the next day?
"Of course not, we don't let them turn vampire," the suddenly bouncy Cardamom replies. "Did you sleep alright?"
"I slept?" Alptraum ends up asking and rubbing at his eyes. "If I did, I guess it was good enough?"
That question gets Alptraum pounced. "It was lots of fun!" Cardamom claims. "Are you rested enough to try again? If you're still tired you can just lie on your back."
"Wah!" goes Alptraum as he's pounced! "I have no idea how to even lay on my back when I have four legs!" he complains! "I'm not sure the torso will bend like that!"
"It'd be pretty silly to not be able straighten your whole back!" Cardy claims. "But if you're not tired I can show you!"
Alptraum waves his hands! "No, no, I'll try, I'm a little bleary still!" he claims. He rolls to his side, then tries to roll further onto his back! Which feels really, really, weird to have an ultra-long dual-torso in this position!
He discovers just how heavy his lower limbs can feel when they're sticking up. But his back doesn't snap! He just takes more space now.
Alptraum also marvels at how weird it is to have what is basically an animal-half bottom. Also, wiggles feet! Then ponders on if Gorphat would want a fnerf 'pet' and how weird would that be? And if it would be weirder than it is naturally. He really has a weird, random, mind somedays.
Given the whims of the various Sisters so far, it's more likely that Inala would want her own set of fnerfs. The thought is interrupted by Cardamom.. straddling him. She's basically sitting, but has her forepaws on Alptraum's forepaws, which makes her seem to tower over him. "This can work!" she claims.
"You look huge!" Alptraum squeaks from his position. His legs wobble a bit, but balance is quickly re-discovered as he figures out where the eight is now!
"I can get closer," Cardy says, and the pushes off with front paws to land them on the floor. Now she's more completely horizontal, which puts her head just about even with Alptraum's. When it's all spread out, she's not too heavy.
"I have no idea where all my parts are in this form, it's rather alien from my normal one," Alptraum admits, one ear skewed and looking a bit embarrassed. "So, uh, I do need your help in getting things where they need to be."
"Alright.. uh.." Cardy says, and wiggles her hips around. "I can't tell if you're ready. Do you need extra waking up?"
Alptraum goes cross-eyed for a moment. "Well, uh, that part I can kind of tell. It feels pretty ready to me! I think it wants to get stuck again?" he babbles.
"Let's see then.. never had to do this before.." the fnerf girl says, and gets a look of concentration as she.. goes up and down, and slides back and forth. She moves forward enough to briefly smother Alptraum with her breasts (which thankfully aren't huge, at least in relation to a male fnerf's size). "I think I found the end!" she declares.
There's a bit if wiggling and moving on Alptraum's end too as he tries to help, sort of. When she declares tshe thinks she has it. He blinks, and giggles a few tiles (which looks straaaange). "Huh, I think you did too," he concedes after testing what felt was stuck, or not.
A bit more wiggling and things fit like they should. There's also a lot of tail-floof ticking sensitive bits as well. "Success!" Cardy declares. "Now.. just have to be careful not to break it! So.. hmm." She starts sort of sliding back and forth. That's a lot of surface contact, even with her torso partially raised up.
Alptraum has a random sort of expressions that follows. It feels ... far weirder than most things he's done (outside of times with Gorphat and her creatures). He shifts a bit too, finding a position that works a bit better. It's also a good lesson in why these body shapes to tend towards the 'climb on back' approach. Still, it's novel and enjoyable even with the oddness. Or perhaps because of it.
"Can you try.. uh.. pushing a little?" Cardy asks. "It's hard to move like this.. I want to either lie down fully or stand."
Pushing requires some odd back movements and using muscles he's never had before. And using a tail as a weight-bearing appendage too! It takes a lot of failed attempts and odd wiggles before he finally figures out how to sort of worm-undulate- his lower half and push!
"Hah! This is much better!" Cardy claims, and noses Alptraum's neck. This means he's getting a snoot-full of fnerf ear.
That ear gets nibbled on since it's there! After a few failed starts, he does seem to get sort of a rhythm to the worm-roll her lower torso is doing. It ... feels rather nice! Granted, so did the night before; it's odd to be so far from the center of the sensations, but that makes it all the more novel!
Cardy starts nibbling too! She can't bite the scruff of Alptraum's neck like he did to her before, though. Her haunches are starting to get into the groove as well, so that she's bouncing slightly, but that translates into a lot of tail movement.
Oooh! The bouncing makes it even nicer, which encourages him to move more! Sure, it's a very nontraditional fnerf position, but it's enjoyable partially because of that! Where's a bit of hugging too, since she's pressed to his chest and all. His hind-limbs sort of stick up, splayed around her, which probably looks a bit silly, especially when they sort of paw at the air.
The haunches aren't very good for holding on or anything, but the forepaws are a little more useful. Cardy moves from the neck to nuzzling Alptraum's jaw, and flicking her ears a bit. Her rump and tail are getting more wiggly, and the tip of the floof even whips forward to paff Alptraum on the shoulder.
The whole position tends to encourage a lot of weird undulating wiggling from both parties in order to keep things moving in the ways that makes things feel all tingly! There's more ear-chewing too since they're right there. There's also a lot of back petting and back scratching going on too since his arms are at least free and sort of useful!
The back petting and scratching are probably keeping Cardy from rearing up, but it's also weird how her torso can stay still while the rear is bobbing about. There's more up-and-down motion, with the tail working as a counter balance.
No weirder than Alptraum using his tail like a lever to lift and push his lower half up like some sort of demented jacking system! It kind of drives home how fnerfs really do have two completely different 'sections' with the way they move.
"I wanna try something!" Cardy claims, and starts pushing her torso up away from Alptraum, and rising on her forelegs.
Alptraum stills so she can reposition a little easier! "Uh ... sure?" he agrees after the movement already started.
Cardy is mostly diagonal now, but leans her torso forward to be nearly horizontal, with her arms resting against her forelegs. The she starts bouncing a bit more forcefully. For whatever reason, her breasts don't move at the same pace.
This makes Alptraum blink, because it somehow actually works! The amount of 'friction' he's feeling easily doubled just with that change. It also means he can reach up and massage and fondle her chest since it's right there! And so, he does. And suppresses the urge to make honking noises.
"Honk, honk!" Cardy goes and giggles, then focuses more on bouncing at the proper angle.
"I wasn't even thinking it!" Alptraum claims, though he totally was. He'd argue more, but the angle change-up makes him go cross-eyes. Especially now that he feels specific parts popping in and out now, and knows what happens if he pops while fully in, and the half an hour of cuddling that has to follow!
The girl's tail is what make it possible, so long as she keeps it straight out behind her. Although it does brush up against the ceiling quite a bit now.
"You're rather good at this, I thought you didn't have fnerfs visiting," Alptraum teases while he still can. He's able to bitt-wiggle and lift a hit more too and be active. "Admittedly, I kind of understand why your traditional position is probably the most favored, it doesn't require being a gymnast," he comments, grins. Then his eyes go crossed again as a particular movement sort of resets his brain!
"This is my first time!" Cardy claims. "Maybe this is the right way? Or only used if the guy is tied down.."
"No way this is your first time!" Alptraum insists. "As for being tied down, uh, probably!"
The girl actually speeds up, which means things are impacting a bit harder. Alptraum could use his tail for extra cushion though.. if he can get a handle on it at all.
Alptraum likes things a little rough, it seems, since he doesn't go for any more cushioning. He's trying to push up hard when she does down!
Things are starting to stick a bit on the landing. Not that Cardy seems to notice as she's probably deciding that this is how she's going to do this forever.
Alptraum knows that sticking is part of it for the body type, so if it is it's working properly! Which only excites him more and he goes a bit harder at it to try and get things to were it does, well stick.
The urge is to grab hold at this point. But that just wouldn't be possible in this position. Cardy just keeps going harder... she's going to need to stop to make the sticking stick!
"If you want this to work, you're going to have to just sit and let nature finish taking its course," Alptraum whines out at some point, "We're supposed to stick together, that's what, well, triggers the finale!" He's also grabbing at her, trying to get her to stay down!
"Oh!" Carly replies, and suddenly sits down hard, and which makes her forelegs slide forward. Her breasts prevent any dangerous collision at least.
There's a lot of wiggling from Alptraum now, then he blinks and giggles like a teenager. "Yep! There we go it's ..." he starts to say, then the follow-up sensation trigger hits, and whatever he was going to say turns into a lot of yipping when things down below ... blow.
It takes awhile for this part to play out, which is probably what the sticking is for in the first place. Cardy's tail waps up and down against Alptraum's tail the whole time, and she sort of trills.
It's just not an experience Alptraum is that used to, these bodies tend to climax for a while; and the amount of fluids that are released, well, yes it's good there's a 'stopper' to keep it from getting super messy and all over! It also turns Alptraum into a gibbering idiot.
At some point Carly lies down fully on Alptraum, and bites his shoulder.
The bite helps his brain come back to reality. "Whu?" he says ever so intelligently, then blinks a few times. Well, now comes the part of the forced cuddling, so he wraps his arms around her and sort of hug-pets while things down below continue to occasionally twitch in its prison. He's also panting.
"I hope Daddy doesn't come looking for me because I'm late for kitchen duty," Cardy notes, speaking into Alptraum's neck floof. "But he's probably still digging up maps and stuff."
"Well, it'll be at least another half an hour before we can even get cleaned and dressed, and I can shift back to normal. Well, not sure I have a normal, but shift back to Eeee at least," Alptraum mutters as he enjoys the 'after', since it comes with sort of a low-grade pleasure flush.
"Ohhh, so you must really like this part then," Cardy says, and flicks her ears. "Because I'm warm and cuddly?"
"Right, because it's cuddly and warm. And don't worry, you can't get pregnant from me. At least it's never happened to a non-Eeee. I don't think I can actually be that compatible," Alptraum babbles a bit. After all, Pierce never got a savanite pregnant to his memory!
This makes Cardy raise her head. "Huh, I never thought about that," she says. "I thought you had to do something special, or it had to be on a certain day to get pregnant. I've only got a few siblings, but my parents have been together forever."
"Well, there are times it's easier than others, so there are days for it, but they're not super predictable," Alptraum explains and even shrugs some. "But I can only have children with other Eeee."
"Eeee do lots of adopting don't they?" Cardy asks.
"In Babel. Not so much in other places," Alptraum answers.
"Oh, I thought it was because they just have a hard time getting pregnant," Cardy says. "Maybe it's a status thing?"
"Well, it's not hard exactly, but families like to choose good-looking children and such as their heirs, and some prefer to not bear children at all for one reason or another. Sometimes simply vanity," Alptraum explains while petting. "Babel Eeee. It's not the same in other groups of Eeee."
"So.. there could be heirs that.. weren't actually related to the 'parents', and their heirs may not be related to them either?" Cardy asks, tail swishing.
Alptraum nods. "Yep, like that," he agrees. "Babel is a messed-up city."
"I don't know," Cardy says. "I mean, anybody could become a noble. It's only the house that matters, not who makes it up. The weird part is having generations of pretty people that don't actually create the next generation of pretty people. For the sake of being pretty?"
"That would be the Temple of Inala. Or at least a lot of what they used to do," Alptraum explains. "One of those in the lineages that sired this version of me was a Yodhinala child, and beautiful."
"I thought your mom was Sunala, the goddess?" Cardy asks, blinking. "But.. uh.. hmm, I don't know how your father would work out with that. Unless he was.. dead?"
"It's extremely complicated and difficult to explain, involving surrogates and magic and frankly best to not think too much on," Alptraum admits.
"Were any fnerfs involved?" Cardy asks. "Does Babel have a fnerf demigod or anything?"
"Not that I know of, sorry," Alptraum apologizes.
"But if I do get pregnant, there will be, riiight?" Cardy teases, biting Alptraum's shoulder again.
"Well, I suppose so, but it's highly unlikely, sorry. I've never been able to sire with anything other than Eeee. So .. don't get your hopes up," Alptraum begs.
"I'm just teasing," she claims. "I guess the blood gets to my brain sooner that it does for a guy in this situation."
"You assume guys ever have blood in their brains," Alptraum jokes.
"Well, I assume in fnerf guys it pools at the bottom anyway," Cardy retorts. "Because their hearts go out of sync."
"Hearts? Well, I suppose you probably need two just to deal with the mass," Alptraum admits. "I doubt I make a very good, or good looking, fnerf."
"You're plenty fluffy and have good color and a dry nose," Cardy claims. "And a big tail. Powerful!"
"So that's how men are rated?" Huh," Alptraum concedes.
"Powerful tail means a strong spine and good ass muscles," Cardy notes. "It's the same for vixens! You like my tail and butt, don't you?"
Alptraum bobs his hindquarters to make them bob. "Well, yes, yes I do," he admits. In this body a good butt is arousing.
"I'll have better boobs someday too," Cardy claims. "Good enough to crush a watermelon!"
"Is that really a measurement technique?" Alptraum has to ask, eyes wide.
"Well, we've got watermelons," Cardy notes. "As we grow up, we crush them differently. When we're little, we have to sit on them. And then when we're bigger, we have to carry them between our forelegs. Tail splitting is the final goal."
"Ooookay. Things I didn't know," Alptraum confesses and grins. "Eeee don't do anything like that."
"My brother had to lift the watermelon and carry it as far as he could without using his arms, legs or tail," Cardy whispers.
"Ooo, should I spend time with your brother too?" Alptraum jokes, and grins wide.
"Maybe on the way back?" Cardy suggests. "Watermelons are out of season right now."
"Sure. I'll spend time with him next time then," Alptraum agrees and nods (and might regret joking such). "Speaking of which, I really should try to get unstuck and going."
"You can just shrink back into an Eeee for that," Cardy says. "Although I might be too heavy on top of you. We can roll onto our sides first, either way."
"Sides, I'd rather not shift stuck like this," Alptraum admits, then starts rocking side to side.
Cardy rocks with him, until they're on their sides (it pins one of her hindlegs, but better hers than his in this situation). It also makes it easier for her to pull away.
And Alptraum is doing a lot of wiggling and tugging to get things to pop free without, well, hurting himself in the process. It's a bit slow, and when things do finally release, there is a bit of a mess, but ... freedom!
There's also a distinctive, musky odor. Some topical washing may be needed.
Though the scent is ... oddly welcome in this body! "If you lick me clean, I'll lick you clean," Alptraum jokes and grins.
"Before breakfast?" Cardy asks, apparently aghast at the notion.
"Think of it as a breakfast," Alptraum teases. He flumphs around until he's face to face with the messier parts of her, he leans in, and he just starts ... licking. He's licked far worse, after all!
This makes Cardy giggle and squirm.. and release trapped air, which at least doesn't blow bubbles.
True to his word, Alptraum does lick her clean. How he does it without gagging is anyone's guess. Or maybe it's just due to all the time in Babel and the worse things he's done.
And Cardamom does reciprocate, though it doesn't do much for the musky scent.
And Alptraum enjoys that. Probably more than he should, given it makes another mess poor Cardy has to deal with, but at least he was mostly spent from earlier? "Well, I guess I'll need to get a bath before I go, otherwise people will know what we were up to," he admits.
"Oh, we shouldn't tell them then?" Cardy asks as she stretches.
"I don't know if it matters or not. I mean, I like how I smell at the moment," Alptraum claims.
"It's just good hospitality," Cardamom claims, and collects her colorful uniform (but doesn't put it on). The downside of general floofiness is that hair and fur can get matted easily, and she really needs a good brushing out and probably some dry shampoo.
Alptraum shrugs it off, he'll leave the musky smell then! "Well, you go ahead and get cleaned if you wish. I'll go change back, dress, and get going," he claims.
"My father will meet you downstairs.. probably in sunroom, it'll have the best light," Cardy says as she sashays through the door, then blows Alptraum a kiss over her shoulder (which must be affectation, since fnerfs aren't exactly known for kissing).
Alptraum has to wonder why he would need to meet her father again.. He shrugs a bit, then flumps himself down and closes his eyes to envelop in shadow. And thus, he begins to change back to being his usual guy form. Except he decides to experiment a little and see if instead of his usual masculine male form, he sees if he can go somewhere halfway, sort of like a partially reverted male form (what happens when he stays in his normal body too long, and starts to slide towards Melusine's imprinted 'new form', which is effectively a woman. Just to see if he can go in-between forms or if it's difficult and he should just stick to pure 'templates'.
He's blended templates before.. just not in this way. The room lacks a dressing mirror, but the result feels a bit pudgy, with the narrower shoulders of a female and the narrower hips of a male. So combing triangle and pear gives.. rectangular. Down below, things are a bit strange, with what is essentially an extended clitoris mimicking male genitals, but all stem and no fruit. Breasts are underdeveloped, which isn't too out of character for an Eeee though.
Alptraum tries speaking to see what he sounds like, out of his own curiosity. The result is weird, and he's not sure if he likes it, or just finds it weird!
Normally, there wouldn't be a lot of difference in pitch between typical Eeee, but Alptraum is (at least half) Sylvanian, and is used to having a deeper voice. This time though, the vocal chords just don't feel like they're in the right place.
Alptraum reaches up and feels his throat, wondering if he messed something up. One ear splays sideways.
His throat doesn't feel quite right. The Adam's Apple is smaller and higher up, which may be what's messing with the sound of his voice.
"Weird," Alptraum concedes. Probably too weird for this trip, and he should save experimenting with form when things aren't as serious. So, he sighs out and goes back into the shadow and decides to just go to his normal shape. His urge to just be weird sometimes should be tempered, but as he'd rather not. He likes being physically weird, but ... time and place. Time and place.
It's pretty easy to go from the in-between form to his normal one. Plus, his clothes will fit better now.
So, back to normal, Alptraum dresses. He also does a sniff test to see if he can still smell fnerf.
The musk scent is still there, and smells different through an Eeee nose: a bit more pungent.
Alptraum tries to use the shadow to reduce the scent a bit further by sort of trying to cleanse his body with it.
This is partially effective, in that it seems to 'push' most of the stink into the air itself.
"Better than nothing," Alptraum mutters. He doesn't actually mind the smell as such; it's a reminder of a fun time. So, out he goes to see if he's okay outside of the room.
The hallway doesn't smell particularly foxy, which could mean the shadow-trick worked and most of the stink is back in the room now.
Alptraum walks a bit way down the hall, then sniffs himself again to see.
There's still some of the scent, it's just lower down and his clothes are masking most of it.
"Good enough," Alptraum decides. So down the hall and downstairs he goes.
There are sounds from the sunroom, which is near the kitchen given the odors. They may even cover the musk a bit. The sounds are mainly the scratching of a quill on parchment.
"I would like to thank you for all your hospitality, but it is time for me to depart and continue on. I have people to save," Alptraum calls out. "I shall try to stop back on my way back through, if you wish. I may have others along, if your offer still stands."
Only Chives is present in the room, which is mostly a glass greenhouse of sorts. There are plenty of plants, certainly. The fnerf butler is at a central sun-bleached wooden table, where there are several books and maps open which he is copying bits of onto the parchment. "Ah, did you sleep well, good sir?" he asks.
"Indeed," Alptraum agrees. And Cardemon kept me comfortable and welcome. It was more than I deserved. So, thank you," he replies and bows deep.
"It is our pleasure," Chives notes, returning the bow. "I have made copies of the local maps, though they may be out of date. They show where the other manor estates are located, and I've copied out some information on the families that own them.. although that too may be out of date."
"Of course. If nothing else, it shows me where houses may be, should I need another place to stay. That in itself is a great help," Alptraum says. "If it will be a while to finish, I can wait, or help with things here if needed."
"Well sir, it is also possible that your quarry may be at one of these estates," Chives notes.
"This is true, though I suspect it would be in the most well-defended ones, so if you know which were more, ah, fortress-like, please mark them?" Alptraum requests.
"These are Babelite manors, so they should all have some level of defense," Chives says. "The tower here has a ballista, for instance."
"Yes, but some are likely more fortified than most. Also, if any are built near a temple or ancient shrine, it would be suspect," Alptraum adds.
"Well, every manor should have a family shrine, at least," Chives says, and goes to the original map, which is covered with notes added over the years. "The furthest out, Thistlewood, butts up against a low cliff." The map location looks like there's almost a 'bay' of stone around the estate.
"Well, that one seems most likely, it's very defensible. But, I'll need to check each one I suppose, on the route out there," Alptraum concedes.
"These maps don't show any surrounding villages, but we know they're there," Chives explains, and taps some of the notes, which seem to be along the lines of "Trader Bob says Fnerf Village is here, led by Papa Fnerf."
"Well, these will be helpful. Hopefully I will stop them before too many villages are destroyed," Alptraum says.
"We don't know if any of the other estates are still inhabited," Chives explains. "We haven't had any direct contact with them for quite some time. But my sun spotted an airship the other night, so at least one of them should have people there."
"But possibly people that are not friendly," Alptraum remarks, and nods. "I won't know until I check them."
"I daresay unfriendliness is likely to be the norm," Chives says. "Going by the Master's stories, the families of Babel that could afford country estates are rather nasty."
"I can be more unfriendly," Alptraum points out. "If needed, I will be a monster, and I will rend anything in my way."
"I pray you will not have to resort to such," Chives says. "Are there any supplies we can furnish to you?"
"Mmm, not that I can think of. My dietary needs are unusual and hard to pack for," Alptraum apologizes. "And you have already been kinder than most would, or needed to be. I do not wish to burden you further."
"We will prepare for guests, just in case," the butler notes. "I think having some will do the Master well. And may Rephath favor you in your hunt."
"She is one of the sponsors; and has already given me assistance. So, your wish speaks true already, and I am sure she appreciates your devotion," Alptraum says and bows again.
"If that is all, Barsunala, I shall apprise the Master of your gratitude once he is roused. He is not a 'morning person' I'm afraid."
"And I do not wish to rouse him. He should rest and be well. If all goes well, we shall meet again soon, and still not in one of my official duties, but delivering rescued souls instead of taking them," Alptraum replies in kind. "Until then, thank you once more, and may your days be happy."