After escaping from the infirmary, Alptraum figures it's still too early to try and see what more Rostre has uncovered, so he heads to the cafeteria where Tulani said she would be waiting. He finds her at a table with Cyprian and another mage in colorful robes.
"Plotting world domination, I see," Alptraum remarks as he meanders up to the table with Tulani and the terrible mage team.
"I don't think I have that in my schedule," Cyprian notes. "Unless one of my aides have added it."
"Only in my dreams," the unknown mage says. He (she?) is a Zerda, so sits a bit lower than the Eeee and Sphinx.
"I can't comment on that," Tulani claims, with a big grin.
"Are you sure? The Tower did just receive a large collection of former Royal Mage artifacts, recently recovered. Of course Trilby has them, so we're all doomed," Alptraum quips. "Also, don't think I didn't notice that you swiped the mirror thing, Tulani."
"Not the big ugly one," Tulani claims. "Just the little one, and the tie-dye cloth. You were using it to wrap up something else, so I figured it wasn't an artifact."
"It might be, might not. Let Cyprian see it and he can possibly say for sure. If not, you're welcome to keep it," Alptraum says.
"Well.." Tulani starts to see, and looks to the Zerda.
"It's a Dream Cloth," the small vulpine mage offers. "With a permanent enchantment to boot. I'm not sure what dream, if any, is embedded however, without further study."
"Given it was in the possession of the royal mages, it's probably good if it is examined further, no?" Alptraum asks. "Last thing you probably want to do is keep possession of a dream close with some sort of cursed dream; like dreaming of having endless flatulence."
"Well, a powerful enough dream like that could manifest physically in the dreamer," the Zerda claims. "Have you observed this cloth in use?" he asks Alptraum.
"It was being used in a ritual to transfer the mind or essense of one of the royal mages into a child. At least I think that's what they were doing. It was wrapped around a child upon an altar," Alptraum explains, "On top of the Altar of Twilight for that matter."
"Perhaps it was just meant to keep the victim in an unconscious state then," Cyprian suggests, and strokes his chin. "Or presenting a dream the prepares them somehow. The child is alive, I hope?"
"Fortunately," Alptraum says. "They lost their family and home, though. I have them being looked after in an old estate outside of the city. I'm having any other survivors gathered and sent there. I'll be going back soonish to help them find some closure and settle in."
"I don't suppose they spoke about any dreams while wrapped in the cloth, assuming they were unconscious?" Cyprian asks.
"Not specifically about the cloth, but I do know they were stuck in nightmares constantly that wore at them and tried to get them to give up, or something along those lines," Alptraum answers.
"Oh my," the Zerda says. "It may simply be best to purge whatever dream is embedded in the enchantment. It is not an artifact, in that any Archmage of Dream could create one. If we had any Archmages in Dream, that is."
"Wouldn't it be best to learn what, specifically? It might provide useful clues on the caster, no?" Alptraum points out. "Versus just purging it outright without examination."
"It would need to be tested with strict monitoring and a volunteer that has experience with Dream Magic environments," the Zerda says. "Especially lucid or interactive dreaming."
"So, someone like me, who can manipulate dreams some," Alptraum comments.
"With a Dream Mage co-pilot, ideally," the Zerda notes. "There's just me here in Babel though."
"Mage Trilby has a relation that is a Dream Mage," Cyprian notes. "Mage Blythe, who specializes in long-distance dream work, I believe."
The Zerda shudders, but it isn't clear which name caused it.
"And that's a problem..? Are you not .. "Alptraum starts to say, then lets it fade off. "Oh, I've seen her work firsthand. Ask about .. pirates sometime."
"I'll try to contact her and work out a collaboration, but we'll probably need Trilby for it as well," the Zerda says. "We just need to keep the dream cloth secure until we're ready. Which shouldn't be an issue."
"Right, so no wearing it as makeshift underwear," Alptraum says and nods sagely.
"Well, would that make people dream about your privates?" Tulani asks. She's got the little mirrored cube in one hand, rolling it between her fingers.
"What about that thing, then?" Alptraum asks and gestures to the little mirror cube.
"Hmm, I'll be sure to check for external or outward control," the Zerda responds.
"That is likely an illusion focus, which can be enchanted to hold one or more illusions," Cyprian says. "Not uncommon, save for the mirrored effect, which suggests actual silver is used for the mirrors."
"So, is it discharged right now? And is it safe for her to keep?" Alptraum asks.
"Well, it should be checked by an Illusion Mage," Cyprian says. "It may still have illusions in it, and sometimes they can be triggered by a non-mage."
Tulani frowns. "How long will that take?" she asks.
"We're scheduled to get Mage Glitter on the next rotation, so perhaps ten days before they arrive," Cyprian says.
"Oh, one thing Cyprian, is there any more information you want to get out of that weird multi-part mage in prison?" Alptraum asks, "And, do you have any requests or preferences on how the Royal Mages are punished? The Seven would actually like input from the people; including you."
"I'd forgotten about that one.. err.. three," Cyprian says, and stares at the ceiling for a moment. "At the very least we should take them off of the Yodhrephath's hands. What information are we missing? I'd need to check them from memory modifications too."
"If there are any in-training replacements, and what old locations in the city they used to use, so we're sure we know all their old haunts?" Alptraum suggests.
"Yes, that would be good, especially if they know how they infiltrated, and any other secret paths," Cyprian says, looking back down again.
"You could use the dream cloth on them," Tulani suggests. "For transport, not for torture.."
"And I am serious that they would like input on the manner of punishment. This includes the followers caught in the raid. You still have one, I think," Alptraum says.
"Yeah, the.. minion," Cyprian says. "As far as we can tell, she's under something similar to the men recovered from the pirate operation. We haven't tried to remove her memory and personality overlay yet."
"Ah, okay, so another victim more than a perpetrator. That's good at least," Alptraum admits. "One less person to decide the fate of, so to speak. Unpleasant fate, that is."
"Well, we don't know about that yet," Cyprian says. "All we know for certain is that she's a Mechanic, but the overlay could be a decoy and she's someone who volunteered for it."
"Possible. Just need to determine that. I cannot," Alptraum says.
"Right now we have those men prioritized," Cyprian says. "I can do a deeper scan on the woman though, to see if there any mental traps. It could just be an overlay to make her forget key information too."
"Understood. The men have priority since they've been held longer, really. But if you get a chance, it would be good to finish up with those in your direct care too," Alptraum says. "I just have a couple things to hand over to one of the Temples, then I'm done with the mage artifacts, myself."
"We've processed the items recovered from the raid," Cyprian notes. "They were all meant for combat, only a few true artifacts among them, but they were turned over to the Coalition. I'll try to get that other mage sorted out then, if you need to figure out punishments. I do want to dig into the Doctor before anything happens to them. I doubt there's anything left of Pancrazio aside from the body."
"Okay, well then I'll let you tell me when you are done with them and I will pass that alone to the Seven," Alptraum says and nods. "Until then, they're in your hands."
"So, can you arrange transport of the Doctor, or would you rather we handle it?" Cyprian asks. "The Yodhrephath wouldn't have a problem with us doing it, would they?"
"I doubt they'd have a problem with it given you have been helping with their wounded. And especially if you specifically asked, given who you are," Alptraum points out. "I can let them know you do do want him sent back for final examination though and then your two groups can sort out an agreeable approach."
"Alright, I'll reach out to them then," Cyprian says. "Trilby would be best at securing the mage, but I have no idea how the Yodh would react to her. Especially if she complains about the subject's condition to them."
"Tell her to just keep quiet about it," Alptraum points out. "Or use a muting spell." He grins.
"Hmmm, I suppose I can get her to keep quiet," Cyprian says. "I just don't know what it will cost me later."
"What does she usually demand?" Tulani asks with interest.
"Everything, probably," Alptraum claims.
"Oooooh?" Tulani asks, eyes twinkling. "What would she demand from you then, Alptraum?"
"Something from me physically to help with some magic experiment or the like," Alptraum says, shrugs. "Something like that?"
"Err, physical?" Cyprian asks, his ears paling slightly.
"Blood, or other various goo," Alptraum clarifies.
"Since I'm not a supernatural being, I hope she will want something related to Mind Magic from me then," Cyprian says, and relaxes a bit.
"Maybe she'll just want a date," Alptraum suggests.
"Mages are not supposed to fraternize with each other," Cyprian claims. Which might be part of why Alptraum gets so much interest when visiting (and probably Tulani as well).
"Eh, since when does she ever follow rules?" Alptraum points out pragmatically. "Plus, it might be fun."
"It would be awkward," Cyprian claims. The Zerda offers, "Well, I could go in your place.."
"See? Easy problem to solve! Though granted I doubt she'll ask for that," Alptraum admits and shrugs a little. "I could get any of you dates with the Yodhgorphat, though."
"Fraternizing with sorcerers, shamans, witches, hedge-wizards and clergy is also technically forbidden," Cyprian claims.
"Alptraum is a loophole then?" Tulani asks.
"Says the Avenger," Alptraum points out markedly.
"I don't know of any rule that would cover the Barsunala," Cyprian says.
Cyprian just clears his throat at the mention of his unofficial title.
"I don't even know how I'm classified," Alptraum admits.
"We've not bothered to register you," Cyprian says. "Very backed up on paperwork and all that."
"What would I be registered as?" Alptraum asks, "Sentient Monster?"
"Haven't thought about it," Cyprian claims. "A whole new category would need to be set up, and that can take a long time. There's been no official study of you, so it may never get done. Which means we don't have to worry about it, as until that point - should it every come - there are no guidelines or rules regarding you."
"In other words you're keeping me your secret access into parts of Babel that you normally wouldn't have any liasons with," Alptraum comments a bit dryly.
"Well, we also get to help you without having to go through the Guild," Cyprian says. "They act like they want to forget about us here in Babel, so if we aren't getting support from the Guild then there's no reason to report everything to them."
"Oh, I know. I just .. mm. It gets frustrating at times to be the person people want, but never acknowledge they want," Alptraum points out.
"We're all in the same situation," Cyprian says. "The Coalition negotiated a contract with the Guild to keep a presence here and provide infrastructure support, but that's about all we do. So working with you is frankly more fulfilling and meaningful."
"Both of you, the Guild and the Coalition, are trying to save the city. Which aligns with my goal too. I'll always help if I can, even when I get frustrated by it," Alptraum says. "I'm aware it's a delicate act to balance given the various histories."
"I'm sure the Coalition is going to be very happy that the Royal Mages are neutralized, though I wouldn't expect any public announcement until we've done all of our due diligence with those we have," Cyprian says.
"I give it about three to six months after it's resolved before anything public is said," Alptraum says. "Got to make sure it's completely cleared."
"Is there anything else you need me for?" Tulani asks Alptraum, then cants her head slightly as she looks at him, as if studying his face.
"I don't think so? Why are you looking at me like that?" Alptraum asks. "Already tired of me?"
"Actually, can you walk me out?" Tulani asks.
"Of course. Is something wrong?" Alptraum asks and offers his left arm to her.
Tulani takes the arm, and switches to Sylvanian, whispering, "You're starting to look a bit soft. Did something happen with the doctor?"
"What do you mean, soft?" Alptraum asks in Sylvanian in reply. "I helped her test out one of the devices that could actually be useful if used for better things than it had been. Maybe I over-extended energy."
"What did it do?" Tulani says, and sort of surreptitiously feels up Alptraum's chest with one hand. There some squish there that wasn't an hour ago.
Which means Alptraum feels his own chest too, is he shifting a lot? Is Inala trying to force him to go her? "It's a device that lets you paralyze limbs and control the level of sensation they have, which would be very useful when treating arm or leg injuries. No pain, no movement to cause further damage. That sort of thing."
"I mean, what did it do to you, if she used it on you?" Tulani asks.
Things aren't too far along, but clearly enough that Tulani noticed, but she's usually on the watch for any changes like that now.
"Oh, she used it on my bits to test how sensitive it can go, or not go," Alptraum says, "Why?" He kind of wishes he had a mirror to see if any of him is turning green or not, or what the state of his sclera are.
Alptraum also does a quick check to make sure his chest isn't, er, 'leaking'.
"So.. how sensitive could it go?" Tulani asks. "Like.. more sensitive that they'd normally be able to get too? I mean, did it make things female sensitive?"
Nothing is leaking, thankfully, and his shirt is loose enough (maybe more than usual, if he's getting shorter too) to cover the growth.
"Hmm, maybe? It was pretty intense. Hard to think during the peak of it," Alptraum admits. "It was probably a bit more than female level."
Alptraum looks at Tulani for a bit and tries to judge if he is getting shorter or not.
"So, maybe it.. used up your masculinity or something?" Tulani suggests. "I'm not sure how it works with you. Do you alternate after having sex?" They're already in the registration lobby now. "Does it matter who you're around?"
"It normally doesn't affect 'using up' masculinity, and no, it normally doesn't matter whom I am around at all," Alptraum says and shakes his head. "It might be related to Inala wanting something from me, so is trying to shift me. It could be Gorphat. I don't really know. How do my eyes look?"
"Silver.. try to make a 'big-eyed' expression with them," Tulani says. "Does the color indicate which goddess might be involved?"
"It could. That's why I'm asking. If it's Gorphat, I might have yellowing of the white parts starting, or something," Alptraum suggests and does try to open his eyes wide, then looks upward a bit.
"Hmm, you're starting to look cute when you do that," Tulani points out. "Maybe you should get it checked out while you're here, just to see if there's a detectable cause?"
"Checked by who? I hardly want to go tell someone 'hey, I'm turning into a girl!" Alptraum complains. He also tries to listen to his own voice for changes.
That last word may have been slightly higher in pitch. "Well, either it's happening because of external forces, or.. well.. it's happening because you subconsciously want it too and your body is responding?" Tulani suggests as they reach the flyers landing door. "Cyprian can help you eliminate at least one of those, unless the change is in response to him. Do you have a thing for the Avenger, maybe?"
"Well, sometimes? Maybe? I don't know," Alptraum admits, sighs, and checks his chest again to see if it's changed any further (or at least noticeably). "Trilby would be easier to talk to about it than Cyprian would," he grumbles.
"Anyway, how did my eyes look?" Alptraum asks.
There might be more swelling. Things aren't more sensitive at least.
"Like they usually do, just a bit.. hmmm.. brighter," Tulani says. "Probably bigger, maybe. Hard to tell with Eeee, you already have big eyes."
"Not terribly helpful, but ... mmnh, I guess I could ask Trilby to check, I could claim her experiments might have caused it and get her to check," Alptraum suggests.
Alptraum also does a very quick, ah, feel check between the legs.
There's something there, but the shape is hard to make out, and his pants are having other issues with hip and butt changes.
"Need me to bring you anything from the Nest?" Tulani asks. "Or should I just try to get your masculinity back up?"
"A change of feminine clothing? In fact I have to stay that way for a while?" Alptraum requests, "I'll to let the others know I'm going to go see Trilby and check what's going on."
"Alright, I'll bring something back for you to wear, just in case," Tulani says. "Even though you suggested earlier that I should go topless."
"You look better topless than I do. Unless it's Pierce, maybe," Alptraum concedes. He leans over to bite her shoulder, then he's off to go find the others again! Well, tell Cyprian one more thing came up and he is going to talk to Tribly for a few minutes more.
The two mages are still at the table now drinking what's probably Mateh. "I can usually manage three or four hours a night," the Zerda is saying. "The rest is practice sleep, which requires a ritual.."
"Pardon to bother again, just wanted to let you know I'm making a detour back to Trilby. One more small thing I want to have her look at before I leave," Alptraum tells Cyprian as he continues to walk, unless one of them stops him.
"We'll store the dream cloth until we're ready to examine it," Cyprian says. "And I'll check in on our other captive. Ask Trilby about securing the other mage for transport if you get the chance, would you?"
"I'll do so, thank you," Alptraum says on his way through. Boy, his pants feel tight in the hips. Mmf.
The infirmary is still mostly quiet. Wynona is likely asleep (as it's unlikely that Trilby would start experimenting with the sensitivity collar so soon), but there are the sounds of swearing from behind the door to Trilby's laboratory-office.
Alptraum heads to that door and knocks on it. "Trilby, I'm back. I need to borrow one of the restrooms here, and I may need you to check some things. All your weird experiments on me might have triggered something," he says.
The door opens, revealing a peeved looking mouse. "You didn't tell me those tools would make whispering sounds." She does step aside so Alptraum can enter. "It's trough my private quarters. There's light enchantment and a mirror.. is that why you needed it?"
"Partially, yes," Alptraum grumbles as he tries to slip past the mouse and make his way towards that bathroom. "And what do you mean, whispering?"
"They make whispering sounds when you leave them out but aren't looking at them," Trilby says. "Like muttering.. very annoying. I need to find a sound-proofed box now."
"Are you sure you're not imagining things?" Alptraum asks, glancing back while still walking. "Or that you just haven't slept enough?"
"It's never happened before, so I doubt it's me," Trilby says. "I'll have Rostre check them for.. ghosts or curses or whatever it is she checks for," she notes, waving her hands a bit. "Don't use the blue bottle of liquid soap in the bathroom. Use the pink one if you need to wash up."
"Why?" Alptraum asks, pausing at the door.
"The blue stuff is very expensive," Trilby says.
"Blue it is!" Alptraum cackles, then slips into the bathroom before Trilby can throw something at him! Once inside, he removes his shirt first since that's easiest, and heads towards the mirror.
It looks like things have progressed even more since Tulani left. Shoulders already seem narrower, and breasts are just reaching 'normal for an Eeee' size, but probably won't stop there.
"Woah," Alptraum admits and actively feels them for sensitivity and discomfort. He also leans in and tries to get a good look at his eyes.
It isn't so much that the eyes are bigger, but the face is more feminine. And getting visibly more so as Alptraum watches!
"That's ... I ..." Alptraum is now trying to get his pants off!
That takes a bit of effort, wiggling and squirming. Once they're down past the hips, they clearly aren't going to be able to go back. Things are also a bit indistinct between the thighs, other than the gap between them is more girlish.
Alptraum spreads his legs and reaches down to feel, as well as get a good mirror look, at well, whatever he might have down there!
Things change during the feeling attempt. The oddest part isn't the anatomy itself shifting, but the way the rings move around while the late bits of turning-inside-outedness finish. Alptraum is fully female at this point! Well, until her breasts start to feel sensitive, as they're still swelling to nearly Yodhinala proportions, along with her hips.
Alptraum mmph! At a higher pitch of course. "What am I turning into?" the now she comments in almost panic and looks close at the mirror. She smiles, checking her teeth (and ears) for any, er, lapine influences, and squeeze-checks her chest sensitivity.
Now that they're a big bigger, they feel more sensitive in a pleasant way. There isn't any sign of changing from an Eeee for though, even if this one isn't exactly like the original Nicora. There's definitely more Yodhinala in the mix.
"No discomfort, no color changes," Alptraum says as she checks various angles, including her stomach shape from the side. She shakes her hips side to side hard to see if, er, anything 'falls out' like it does for 'Nicora' sometimes.
The gyrating doesn't cause anything to fall out, but does make her breasts bounce a bit and cause what feels like friction-warming between her thighs, except that it doesn't stop when the movement does.
"Er," Alptraum comments and feels between the legs again where it's getting warm. "What is this?" she mutters.
Things feel a bit more sensitive there now, and a bit.. damp.
Alptraum dares to, well, insert a finger, then draw it out. Why? She lifts it up and sniffs it to see how she smells, then, well, licks it.
Well, she tastes and smells (and feels) arousal, so nothing too surprising there. It isn't making her mind go foggy though yet. Still it makes her jump slightly when Trilby knocks on the door. "Are you alright in there?" she asks.
"No. My body had weird reactions to the tests you did," Alptraum sort of growls back! She goes back to the mirror and stares at it, and there tries to will herself to look a little more masculine. Like reduce her chest if nothing else. She's a bit worried the ol' body is going to refuse though.
There's a feeling like overstressing a sore muscle.. just all over.. at the attempt at just reversing things without a full shadow-cocoon. As soon as the effort lessons, things snap back to the new and improved Babetraum form, even though they didn't get very far anyway.
"What do you mean?" Trilby asks. "Open the door."
"Don't say you weren't warned," Alptraum grumbles as her attempts to shift go .. ever so slightly then just snap right back the moment any attempt is released. She goes to the door, and opens it fully. Glowering.
"You got boobs," Trilby points out. Then squeezes them. "Feel real, too."
"Not just boobs," Alptraum mutters, takes her hand, and puts ie between her legs. "You might want to do a full exam."
"Hmmm, slightly sticky," Trilby notes. "All this from the collar experiment? Well, come along then, you'll need to get on the examination table."
"Well, I am a shape shifter. I suspect the collar might have triggered something," Alptraum claims as he follows her out to well, an exam table. And even though it's the loss of dignity, she climbs up onto it.
"So has this happened before?" Trilby asks. "What else can you change into?" She is putting on a rubber glove, which may or may not be ominous.
"Not on its own it's never happened before. I can turn into all sorts of species, from lapi, to cervani, to, rhian, to savanite, and so on," Alptraum explains. "And I've never had the shape be so insistent. It isn't letting me shift it back, well, easily. I might be able to brute force it.
"No Skeek?" Trilby asks. After lubricating the gloved hand.. up it goes! Luckily her hand and arm are slender, but she's really feeling around the birth canal, probably checking for specific structures. "You've got a weird shape.. ah, all those implants are still there, I suppose. No changing things that aren't biological."
"SkeeeeEEEEEEk too!" Alptraum squeaks as she answers right when the hand goes in! And good gods, it feels like she might reach her tonsils or something!
"Well, things feel female," Trilby says, sliding her hand back out. "Boy Skeek?" she asks.
"Yes, I can do male or female versions," Alptraum says, then one ear skews sideways. "Uh, odd question. Am I potentially, er, fertile? I wasn't normally but this change isn't normal." she asks.
"Well.. I can't easily examine your ovaries," Trilby admits as she removes the glove. "Eeee in Babel are not known for being particularly fertile though, which I suspect is due to environmental factors more than lack of desire. Have you ever ovulated which changed before?"
"I've mensruated a few times, but not since then. I've never stayed one gender long enough to cycle, I don't think," Alptraum admits.
"Well, do your breasts feel extra sensitive?" Trilby asks, poking one of them. "They look a bit swollen for an Eeee."
Alptraum feels on them for a bit for sensitivity or discomfort.
They feel sensitive, but there isn't any discomfort per se.
Alptraum hmms. "They're pretty sensitive right now," Alptraum admits.
"Well, I can try a blood test, but you may be pre or post-fertile, or even producing pregnancy hormones if you've lactated," Trilby says. "Let me get my syringe.."
"Blood test is fine," Alptruam sighs and lays back again. "Inala, is this your doing?" she wonders.
There's no immediate answer before the needle prick comes. "I have some prepared tests for this, so it shouldn't be long. Mages are very mindful of this, since spell-casting ability can be affected, and you generally don't want to be doing magic during pregnancy if you want it to go to term."
"I can imagine that would be a problem, yes," Alptraum whimpers a little, getting a bit more nervous now. It all feels weird because it feels normal!
"I suspect that Eeee may be more susceptible to pre-natal surface mutation which leads to early miscarriage," Trilby says. "I mean to research that sometime. Eeee on sky islands don't seem to have the same fertility issues." She takes the syringe over to a lab table, and fishes a strip of wood from a drawer.
While the test runs, Trilby asks, "Would you mind getting laid ny a male Eeee and letting me examine you afterwards?"
"Yes I would mind! I don't want to get pregnant!" Alptraum blurts.
"I'm a Life Mage you know," Trilby points out. "I have access to contraceptives, magical and otherwise.." she says as she watches a minute-glass.
"You want to see how my body reacts to actual copulation then and if it's normal female, or something else?" Alptraum asks warily.
"Well, also if the reaction is turn back into a male," the Skeek notes, then examines the wooden stick that's been treated with Alptraum's blood. "But.. right now your hormones are reading as if you've recently given birth. Which might explain some of curvaceousness and sensitivity."
"Which I have not, so that's really weird," Alptraum says, then makes a face. "I think this is Inala trying to send me a message."
"Well, currently I don't think you can get physically pregnant," Trilby says, then returns and starts sucking on one of Alptraum's sensitive nipples.
Alptraum frizzes out! "What are you doing?!" she demands to know after she gets over the shock.
Trilby stops soon after the outburst, but apparently it was enough to get some milk leaking. "Yeah, post-pregnancy reaction," she claims. "How horny are you feeling?"
"Great, now you've made me ooze," Alptraum complains in frustration. "As for er, yes, I feel rather horny."
"Well, want me to go get someone for you?" Trilby asks. "I can blindfold them.."
"You really want to try this, don't you?" Alptraum whimpers, and can't believe she's considering it.
"I can't tell you if this caused by Inala though," the mage admits. "I can only see what happens afterwards. I don't have any way to help your current condition though, or tell whether it will worsen without attention. Is there some guy here you at least trust?"
"Well, yes, Cyprian. But that would get weird. Blindfolded is perhaps best," Alptraum concedes, sighs.
"So, you don't want me to just ask him if he'd be willing to have sex with a hot female Alptraum?" Trilby says. "It's usually best to be upfront and truthful to a Mind Mage."
"You can ask, but that will require all sorts of explanations. Isn't there anyone else?" Alptraum whimpers.
"I honestly don't remember the names of any of the other Eeee men here," Trilby admits.
"I'm not really sure I've met any, other than Cyprian's blindish assistant. So, uh, he's a possibility," Alptraum admits, wincing a little.
"There's something else I want checked that Cyprian will be good at, and I can blindfold him," Trilby says, rubbing her chin. "Maybe the student is good enough, though, if he's blind.. and around. I assume he's the only blind mage I'm likely to run into? An Eeee?"
"Well, his vision is weird. I fixed his blindness, though I don't know what the current state is. But, Cyprian is fine too, if he'll do it. If not, his assistant probably would. Or they can decide between themselves," Alptraum offers.
"Well, do you want to wait here or in my bedroom?" Trilby asks. "I don't want to risk exposure to my minions if possible."
"Your bedroom, then. I can try to change back in the meantime," Alptraum says.
"Don't overstrain yourself," Trilby says. "And try not to make a mess in there," she warns, as she unlocks the inner door that goes to her private room.
Alptraum gets up and ughs, "Fine, I'll be careful." She slips through the inner door, then further into the bedroom. Once in there she flops onto her back on the bed. She closes her eyes and tries to shift again and go back to being male.
The bed is surprisingly soft, which sticks in her mind for some reason. The shadow covers Alptraum, but there's resistance at first.
The cocoon seems retract relatively quickly, and Alptraum feels slightly different this time.
Alptraum sits up and checks him? Her? self to see what, if anything changed.
The hips aren't so wide, but both hands are normal. But seem smaller, or else the room seems bigger, and her breasts (and other areas) feel hotter. Trilby does have fancy dressing mirror (with real metal backing, probably done with magic).
Alptraum gets up and goes to look in the mirror. Still female, so she frets what changes she did do will probably revert back quickly soon enough to where she was a few minutes ago.
Yes, female.. but also younger. Alptraum sees the teenaged version of herself from recent dreams.
Alptraum rubs her face. That's worse. She goes back to the bed and sits down to go back into the coccoon and just go back to, er, where she was, body wise. Adult female Eeee.
It's very easy, much like sinking into the soft bed. This gets the shadow-arm back too, but the warm sensations are even worse now.
Alptraum sits up and pokes at the warm spots. "Why are you warm?" she asks them and tries to get a ken-sense of what is going on.
Poking a breast makes it leak.. plus the poking feels good too.
Alptraum tries to find a bowl or pot. If she does, she tries, to, uh, milk herself.
There's a washbowl and pitcher on a side table, but before Alptraum can really get going on the milking, there's a knock at the door, which then opens. A look back sees Torgo and Cyprian, though Cyprian is blindfolded. "Hmmm, this aura feels familiar," the Master Mage notes. "Tell me what you see, Torgo."
"Surprised looking Eeee woman, but also the Barsunala and.. a different Eeee woman," Torgo notes. "Also makes me feel funny."
Alptraum rubs her face and sighs. This is ... humiliating! Being formtrapped is making her nervous enough, but one guy she does actually like a great deal is now here, as is his student. "Describe the different Eeee woman," she requests.
"White fur and hair with blue eyes, very.. beautiful," Torgo says. "Glowing.."
"Inala," Cyprian says. "The aura effect isn't too bad at this distance, but it could get stronger."
"I knew it! Inala," Alptraum growls. She doesn't sound particularly fearsome, though. "She's forcing a shape."
"And the aura," Cyprian says. "What does she want?"
"What she always wants, to indulge in hedonistic activities. Though right now she wants me to help produce her some spiritual lapi creatures trhough my body, I think," Alptraum admits, sighs.
"Has that happened before?" Cyprian asks, then to Torgo, "Do you see a Lapi too?"
"Several, I think," Torgo says. "The white Eeee is.. the main thing I see now."
"Well, she did something similar with skreeks. the problem is then the other Goddesses get mad over it, and I have to deal wit them, too," Alptraum complains.
"I'm sure an exorcism is appropriate," Cyprian says. "Torgo, you can return to your studies now," he tells the increasingly bewitched assistant."
"It's usually easier to deal with their asks," Alptraum admits.
"Also, if you have any male lapi on staff, they could, uh, probably help with this," Alptraum admits.
"Yes, sir," Torgo says, and manages to tear is (newly available) gaze away. It might help that Trilby is pulling one of his wings from behind.
"Afraid I'll break your assistant?" Alptraum asks of Cyprian, and even smirks. It's a very Inala sort of smirk.
"I don't know of any Lapi mages crazy enough to come to come to Babel," Cyprian says. "And all Lapi mages are insane."
"That's disappointing," Alptraum admits.
Cyprian steps in and closes the door behind him, still blindfolded. Then he takes a step forward, then a step back. Then two steps forward and one step back. "Hmmmm."
Alptraum takes two steps forward, regardless, closing the distance. "I don't bite. Wait, yes I do. Ack," she frets.
Cyprian's ears shoot up straighter than they already where. "Did you just move?" he asks. "The aura just got much stronger.." He seems to be struggling to keep his cool.
"I can't help it. I keep moving closer to you," Alptraum admits, ears splaying out. "Sorry."
Cyprian reaches up and pulls the blindfold off. "You are very.. comely, in that form. Inala's presence is very strong.."
"It's just as frustrating for me right now," Alptraum claims (step). "I can't really be abything else right now other than this. Or a younger this. Maybe another female, but I suspect it's this or lapi until she makes Her point." It's odd how both breathy and seductive that sounds, along with how frustrated.
Cyprian reaches and grips Alptraum by the shoulders. Firmly at first, as if trying to keep them from coming closer, but then more gently as his hands slide down towards her elbows.
Alptraum winces a bit at being grabbed. "I don't think I'll hurt you?" she claims, her voice delicate lilts with sad undertones. "Pretty sure if I get any closer you'll just enjoy it? Images keep popping in my mind of things I should do."
"This aura.. I threatens to strip all dignity from me, as it does at the Temp.. le.." Perhaps Cyprian didn't mean to say that last bit.
"Who need dignity all the time?" Alptraum finds herself cooing as she pushes forward and kneels down before her. "Let me help relieve your tension while you provide tribute to Mother Inala," she continues in a weird sort of daze. Then she's trying to lift and move his robes out of the way...
Cyprian actively helps after a moment, shedding his robes until he's down to his trousers.
The trousers are being removed soon after that, too. Skillful, deft movements as if she had been trained on how. Alptraum's also leaning in and blowing hot breath down there on ... things.
And things respond, nearly poking her in the eye. "How strong do you think the bed is?" Cyprian asks.
"Likely not strong enough," Alptraum says. The last thing she says, really, as her mouth soon becomes otherwise occupied around the poking bit. She even hums, and good lord she's good at 'nursing'.
Cyprian makes a grunting sound, and digs his fingers into Alptraum's hair before starting to thrust with his hips!
Alptraum is actually a bit insistent, and trying to control his movement! But, she also seems determined to not let him get away from this pass without giving some tribute to Inala. And Alptraum can't stop herself at all; it sort of feels like Inala is trying to make a point of 'I own you too' or something, and she will serve Her. If she tries to resist, well, she just gets better at what she's doing instead.
"Stand up.. please.." Cyprian sort of growls while trying to sound normal.
Alptraum growls a bit, but manages to pull mouth off what she was tending to. And up she stands, then back to being close and whispering, "Yes?" She even runs a claw in circles on his chest.
There's a growl again as Cyprian wraps his arms around her.. and then starts licking her ears, although that turns to nibbling once he gets to the edges.
Alptraum is gently pushing him backwards until he's close to a wall, then she's holding on tight as she lifts her legs and wraps them around him. The reason is clear, she hugs, and he's suddenly inside Inala's gate. There's a rush of 'pleased' sensations, which might be mild Inala praise to her, or just taunting her that She's in charge right now.
Once again, his hips down't hesitate. He shifts his grip to her rump, and pumps upward hard enough to make her bounce.
Alptraum .. purrs? "Good boy," she murmurs in Cyprian's ear while she bounces. She's in a weird sort of bliss state at the moment, and focusing or even trying to disregard the urges near impossible. It's rather like when she's Yodhgorphat Scourge in Mount Gorphat; she is sort of 'taken over' and becomes one of them rather fully, and all their proclivities.
At least the reward for obedience feels good! Even though Cyprian shudders through the first fountain, he keeps on going. He's as much under Inala's spell now as Alptraum is (and he's presumably weathered such before).
Alptraum finds the first tribute euphoric, rewarded with her own rushing peak when that warmth diffuses within her. The skill at which she can clench and ripple on the inside could be classified as a fine art. She's certainly wielding that brush well. "Such a good boy, you Honor and Love Inala, don't you?" she purrs to him in one of his ears. "She loves you, and accepts your tribute through Her daughter."
Cyprian buries his face in Alptraum's chest, and says, "I have always loved her." Then he carries the temporary(?) Yodhinala to the small bed and presses her down into it before starting round two.
Alptraum looks up coyly at him since she's on her back. She's reaching up and caressing all over his front while she lets him 'run the show' as it were. Outside of her legs latched around his so he can't get away. Part of the poor bat is wondering if she'll ever be able to show her face in the Tower again! It's like watching someone else when she's like this, with any of her Goddess-tied forms. Great during, humiliating afterward.
During a pause in the action, Cyprian nuzzles and suckles at Alptraum's breasts, his teeth 'clicking' on the barbels, then it's back to trying to pound her into submission.
Alptraum actively encourages him to nurse. "Drink from Inala's Bounty," she coos, when he does just that. And when he pulls away the first time, she just guides him to the other. She doesn't release his head until he's drunk from both ... then he's free to pound. She's also grateful at this moment she was 'post birth' because right now she suspects Inala could get her pregnant with a divine miracle!
That might cause issues with the Mage's Guild though.. unless She was trying to get at Rephath by 'stealing' her Avenger! After the second sudden fountain, Cyprian slows down to a more sensual pace.
The second fountain makes her arch up and croon-moan. Inala 'allows' her daughter to climax with it and feels the divine rush and bliss of such things. Once she eases down she is grateful to settle into a gentler pace. It lets her focus a little more at least. "I'm sorry," she whimpers out in a small voice. "I can't really control myself right now."
"Yodhinala," Cyprian whispers back. "Or Avatar? I think the last one frustrated Her."
"She has never been this insistent before," Alptraum admits. "She wanted something. Maybe You? I don't know, I just.." Then her eyes sort of glass over and she starts writhe-grinding against him. Apparently Inala doesn't want the mood broken!
It spreads to Cyprian, who is once again pounding passionately. He was at least able to talk that time, but not he's having to try a lot harder so it may be a while before he can muster words again.
This leaves the next good amount of time lost in the smells and sounds of two Eeee in serious passion. It's a good thing most rooms are sound proof, as the sound pitches get insane. And things shift up here and there too, another pass and the Yodhinala insists on using her mouth again for a bit! The only place she's avoiding is, well, Gorphat's Mouth. Inala would not normally use that for such divine acts.
During this attempt at milking, the door opens and Trilby pokes her head in. "The noise stopped, are you.. no, you're not done," she comments, and closes the door again.
"My next checkup is going to be Hell," Cyprian moans.
"I'll be fine until I have to deal with Gorphat. Then I'll be in for hell. Inala and Gorphat compete .. even over me," Alptraum whines. "I wish I only had your hell to look forward to!"
"A look from Trilby can be torturous.." Cyprian says, then has to just breathe deeply for a bit and try not to buck.
"The Sisters are worse," Alptraum claims. Even when he doesn't buck, good Goddess, does she have muscle control in there. It's like being massaged, even when she isn't moving. What is it with Goddesses and squirming insides? At least two of them seem to love them.
At some point Cyprian chants a cantrip, but doesn't say what it was.
Alptraum is actively trying to stop at this point; get some sort of control back! Body is still. Insides? Working harder than an army of slaves on a building.
At least the driving urge has been diminishing. "I think the aura is losing power," Cyprian says, sounding a bit exhausted.
"I hope so," Alptraum whines. "If she'll let me change back, though, I don't know."
"Maybe after a nap?" Cyprian suggests. "Before Trilby comes after us."
"A nap sounds really good," Alptraum wheezes.
So Cyprian half-rolls onto his side so they can both fit on the bed, even though it leaves wings hanging over the sides.
And out of her at least! Though it's disturbing to feel a lower part of the anatomy sucking at the air for a few seconds. What in the world did they practice in that Temple?! She breathes out and lets her eyes droop. "I'm sorry," she says again. "See? It's not all fun and games being me."
During the nap, Alptraum doesn't fully fall asleep, and does feel the shadow at work (either guided by Inala or not). It's pretty relaxing though at least, while it lasts. But then there's poking.. followed by jabbing. The sort a doctor would do, who knows precisely where to jab to best effect.
"Guh?" Alptraum says in that ever so just waking up intelligent way. "What, what?" she? asks as it blinks awake to find out the state of things as it were.
Well, 'her' voice is a bit deeper then before, and once eyes are focused, the expression on Trilby's face is.. disturbing. "What did you do?" the mouse mage all but hisses.
"What do you mean?" Alptraum asks, sits up, and tries to get a look at herself? Itself? Something?
Alptraum is back to being a man again, which shouldn't be something to upset about..
"What are you upset about?" Alptraum asks. "I seem to be just fine? Your bed might be ruined, though, sorry."
"What did you do to Cyprian?" Trilby replies, pointing to the other side of the bed, where a naked Eeee woman sleeps. One that looks remarkably like a softer version of the Mind Mage.
Alptraum blinks. "I didn't do that intentionally!" he yelps! "I had better fix that!" he says while scrabbling to get hands on the Eeee woman and shadow-encase them.
That's when Cyprian wake up. "What?" she asks at the yelp.
"You changed!" Alptraum squeaks!
Cyprian rubs at her eyes. "Well.. Inala is hard to resist and.. and that's not what you meant by changed, did you?" she responds.
Alptraum arches his brow, and grabs her wordlessly between her legs to make the point.
"Uhh.." Cyprian says. "Am I putting out the aura now?"
"Not that I can tell," Alptraum says, and actually tries to check via aura sense.
Cyprian's aura hasn't changed from normal, other than being a bit more 'open' than usual. No signs of divine interference.
"You seem the normal you, aside from, uh, being fairer," Alptraum says hopefully.
Cyprian stands up, taking a moment to adjust her balance. "It's certainly much lighter," she notes. "I wonder if it affects my spell casting though. How much time do I have before it.. wears off?"
"Uh, if it wears off," Alptraum waffles, "Probably a few days."
"Oh, that could be problematic then," Cyprian says. "It's a bit like lycanthropy perhaps, passed along like a curse. A curse from Inala though?"
"No, it's not like that," Alptraum says. "I'm guessing it was a dream reflexive thing, and my fault. I can turn you back, probably. Or at least tell how long it'll stay."
"So I don't have to have intercourse to get my body back then?" Cyprian asks.
"Not likely. Just .. moment," Alptraum says as he just grabs her head this time. Shadow is out quickly and he's checking fast how long she'll have this shape."
There wasn't a lot of energy put into it, so it probably wouldn't last more than a few more hours. Which means the transition back to normal could be a bit jarring for Cyprian.
Alptraum withdraws the shadow. "Good news. It'll last a few hours at most. I don't need to do anything," he declares.
"A few hours.. hmm," Cyprian ponders, and looks to Trilby. "You're probably going to want to monitor me."
"Or make out with you," Alptraum quips.
"You'd better believe I'm going to monitor you," Trilby says with a glint in her eye. "I'm claiming this as an aberrant magical side-effect of Life Magic, which gives me the authority to do whatever the hell I want to until you're back to normal."
"And in exchange this all stays between us?" Cyprian asks.
"Cyprian was never normal," Alptraum points out. "But this does mean I can get dressed and leave at least." He pauses then looks at Cyprian. "Well, maybe. I might make you go on a date sometime, though."
"Yes, you can go, Barsunala," Trilby says, "Buuuut I may request your assistance in further tests, where feasible."
"Like? I still need to visit other temples and get the refugees back together," Alptraum says.
"If you need me to stay in town a few more days, I need to know," he adds.
"Just come by when you have the time, and feels like helping out with some.. experiments," Trilby says, not sounding at all like a Sylvanian mad doctor (or Igorina assistant).
"All right, I can manage that. You two, well, uh, behave? I'll leave you be now, I just need to dress," Alptraum claims. Then looks for what clothing he has here.
At least it's the clothing he came in with (although Tulani may be elsewhere with a change of clothes for Femtraum), back out in the lab area.
Alptraum puts on the male clothing for now! He doesn't need to go back to being female right now then! And so, he dresses.
There are more 'minions' in the infirmary by the time he's ready to leave, but only one of them actually clears his throat and approaches the Barsunala: a somewhat high-strung looking Khatta (not that Trilby's assistants didn't all look high-strung).
Alptraum arches his brow. "Yes?" he inquires of the Khatta. "Trilby is indisposed doing some specialized experiments.
"Oh, uh, no.. I mean, this isn't about Mage Trilby," the Khatta says, looking as if merely mentioning her name will cause her to materialize. "It's Mage Rostre.. told everyone in the cafeteria to tell you she was ready to see you if we should run into you."
"Oh, right, her. I thought i was able to sneak out now. Guess not," Alptraum sighs out, grumps. "I'll go see her now, then."
"Could you tell her it was Simon that gave you the message?" the Khatta asks.
"I will, and how much you lust after her," Alptraum says sagely and nods. "Deal."
"Eh.. what?" the feline asks in confusion. "She said there'd be a reward.."
"Indeed. I am sure she will reward you .. thoroughly," Alptraum says with the sort of doom-casting smile. He waves and then slinks off to let him wonder!
As usual, the way to Rostre's lair was musty and dank, but also warmer than expected the closer he got. Through the door he could see a flaming brazier (the sort of the heat), at the center of a magic circle that seems to be drawn in blood. The fire was the only light, and it lit Rostre (herself naked and looking like she was covered in blood) luridly as she writhed behind it, holding a tambourine in one hand and a rattle that looked like it came from the tail of an actual rattler Naga.
"Why are you trying to be freaky?" Alptraum asks as he slips through the doorway. "It it in revenge for something? Or to see if you can weird me out somehow..?" He even sticks out his tongue.
"Sssometimess old magic isss besst," the Spirit Mage hisses, not interrupting her gyrations. With regular Naga, it probably looks more refined, but Rostre is dragging extra weight on her chest and that weight tends to keep moving in the original direction when her moves changes.
"You know, I should probably remove those breasts. They wobble all over the place," Alptraum comments while he watches, oddly amused. He wonders if watching any of his other forms is this weird.
Just for that, or just coincidentally, one particular violent chest heave flings some drops of blood from the breasts all the way to Alptraum's cheek. "I make them work," Rostre claims before going into rattle-and-tambourine accompanied fits and hisses.
Alptraum smirks and wipes at his check a bit. "So, that's a no?" he asks. "What did you need to tell me...?"
Through all the moaning and hissing and rattling, the flames rise higher in the brazier, and a hazy image begins to form above it. It looks like the back of an Eeee's head, one with gray fur and darker-gray hair, but it goes away as soon as the Eeee starts to turn their head.
"Was that the last target? The one I still need to somehow get in the neighboring country?" Alptraum inquires, ears perked.
Naga can't sweat, but the blood does make it look a bit like Rostre is, once the image fades. She stands with her mouth agape for a bit, then reaches into the fire and removes the alien-edged mirror. "Yesss, the lassst persson to use the mirror," Rostre says. "I have not been able to get a look at their face, but from the hair texture and ear profile I do believe they are not Saskanarian, but are female, middle-aged, and paranoid."
"Female? Great. Why is it all the worst Eeee are female?" Alptraum laments and pulls at his own ears. "She's probably livid about me, cursing and throwing things at people."
"I could not senssse others around her," Rostre offers.
"I think she desstroyed the larva to avoid being traced, as well," the snake adds.
"I don't know if that's better, or worse," Alptraum concedes, sighs. He also realizes he can be one of the worst female Eeee too, got that matter. It deflates him a bit. "Did you get any idea where she might be or any way to track her?"
"I assssume she is the last Royal Mage," Rostre says. "Distance isss right for Sssaskanar, but possibly alsso for the Free City."
"That doesn't help much if I have no way to identify her," Alptraum admits. "So, we know a little. But she could swap bodies again and we'd be back to the beginning."
"Sssss, she may no longer have the resssources for changing bodiess, given all that wass recovered," Rostre says. "But she could hide by using the memory suppressing persssonality overlay. If she doess not know who she isss, it makes it much harder to locate her via sscrying techniques."
"Thing is, if I had kenned her I could find her regardless, but ... " Alptraum sighs, shrugs. "We'll just have to see what else turns up."
"There are bits of her ssspirit ressidue on the mirror yet," Rostre says. "It iss what I have been using to get what I can, but I may have better luck with a Light Mage helping."
"If you can transfer it to a smaller talisman, I might be able to use it as a compass to find her, like I did with the hair of one of the women who were killed in the village raid. I tracked her remains using it," Alptraum explains.
"Hmm, quite possssible," Rostre says. "I have recordsss of potentially useful artifactss for such a purpossse, but they are likely in the handss of the Coalition, although some may still remain with the Yodhzakaro."
"Well, I can go to their Temple to retrieve them if so. I still owe it a visit, I've been bad in that respect," Alptraum confesses and pulls at his ears again. He doesn't say it's also because they're currently less useful, not that many remain.
Rostre is suddenly in Alptraum's face, moving with frightening speed. "You can?" she hisses.
"Wah!" goes Alptraum and he backpedals! "Of course I can!"
The Naga's tongue flicks out an inch from Alptraum's eyeballs. "Hmmm, I don't know why I had a hunting reaction jussst now. Can you take me to their Temple then?"
"That is far less likely," Alptraum admits. "I have special leeway, others not so much. And my ties to Zakaro are not as strong as others."
"But you can asssk yess?" Rostre asks, grabbing onto Alptraum's shoulders so he can't easily escape. She also starts licking some of the blood from her face and looking at him with an odd gaze.
"I can ask, yes. But I can't press the matter. Zakaro may not wish it," Alptraum points out while leaning back.
Rostre's jaw opens.. and opens.. It looks like she could swallow his head right then, before she slowly closes it again. "Yess, assk."
"No promises. If you wanted to get into Gorphat's Temple, that I could arrange. But Zakaro ... I'll try," Alptraum agrees.
"I have an urge to devour you," Rostre admits. "Are you.. being prey-like for sssome reasson?"
"What do you mean prey-like?" Alptraum asks. "I'm not doing anything? Do you have a mirror?"
"You look the sssame as alwaysss," the Naga says, tongue flicking a lot now. "But.. ssssomething.. tasty.. like a rabbit.."
Alptraum frowns a bit. Since she's close and probably can't see, Alptraum tries to feel himself quickly to make sure nothing has changed down below. "I have my suspicions, so I hope you can ignore it?" he pleads.
Nothing physical seems to be happening, but Rostre is fresh off of a Spirit ritual and may be sensitive to his aura.
Alptraum tries to sense his own aura right now, with one ear cocked sideways.
From an aura perspective, that ear's aura seems to lop over beyond being cocked sideways.
Alptraum tries to sniff himself next, just to see if he smells rabbity at all.
What do rabbits smell like? Rostre doesn't seem to be reacting to scent, and her's sense of smell is likely much higher than that of an Eeee. What he smells is.. post-coital musk.
Alptraum makes a face. "Anyway, Is there anything else? If not, I have a matter I seem to need to deal with, the one that's causing you to drool," he concedes. "I can't really put it off any longer."
"I will keep the mirror shielded ssso the former owner cannot.. use it," Rostre says. "Do you want to lick the blood off of my boobss before you go?"
"Errrr. Whose blood is it?" Alptraum asks.
"Chibix," the serpent says. "I needed a lot, and they sssquish easily."
Alptraum makes a face. But, he also hasn't eaten in a while, so sighs and mutters, "Fine." He marches right back up to her, dips his head down, and starts licking!