Once the bath is ready, Cardamom helps Alptraum in and even massages his shoulders. It's temping to just doze off, but sleeping (and dreaming) can have unexpected results lately. "Are you heading back to Babel soon, or can you stay a while longer?" Cardamom asks.

"As far as I know we'll be heading back soon. If not today, possibly tomorrow. Why do you ask?" Alptraum asks as he settles into the hot water, letting shoulders (and wings) relax and droop some.

"Wondering if there'd be time to wash your clothes," Cardamom claims. "You'd have to wear a dressing gown though."

"Aaaand what's the problem with wearing a dressing gown?" Alptraum asks next. One ear cocks a bit to the side, too. "Is it you want us to stay a bit longer?"

Amelia says, "Maybe I want to see you in a dressing gown," the Fnerf claims. "It'd be like when Lord Samson was younger. I'd also wash your friend's clothes. All that leather needs to be aired out a bit.""

"Well, ask her if she wants to hang around for a day and get everything cleaned, then?" Alptraum suggests. "Though, nothing says we have to leave at the same time, either."

"I'll try to ask her before dinner tonight," Cardamom says, before asking, "Lean forward a bit please?"

Alptraum does so, and groans at the same time. Why? Just seems like the thing to do, not that he's in any actual pain.

Alptraum chuckles. "Nah, I just felt like acting like an old man. They always groan when moving," he jokes and does actually sit back.

His head finds itself cradled in a warm pillow.. with a gap just for his neck. They vibrate a bit, which is because Cardamom is 'rumbling' a bit.

Alptraum looks up. "You are very odd, sometimes," he comments, amused by this. "You're going to make me fall asleep."

Alptraum sticks out his tongue briefly. "Nah, I'm good," the bat claims. "Rather brave of you to threaten to pinch a demigod, or well, a demon, depending on who you ask."

"Depends on where I pinch you, doesn't it?" Cardamom counters. "It's hardly a threat though. Tickling would be a threat. That one always works on children."

Alptraum laughs. "I'm hardly a child," Alptraum points out. "Soooo ooooooold," he whines.

Alptraum sneezes! "I'd think you would be glad to see us go, given all the children you have to help take care of now," he says, relaxes, and just enjoys the hot water and the slow relaxing of muscles.

"They're fun, and they're Eeee, which will make the master more lively," Cardamom says. "Until we get more Fnerfs, they will do for fulfilling my maternal instincts."

"How are you going to get more fnerfs?" Alptraum asks. As for the other question, he laughs. "Are you serious? We're horrible trouble-makers," he points out. "Look at Babel!"

"But that's a big city," Cardamon claims. "Out here here it's fresh air and fresh food and room to explore! Did you grow up in the city? Or a temple or something?"

"In the wilderness, as part of a travelling group, actually. Rarely spent time in a city, or even a real house," Alptraum answers, shrugs. "A very long way away from here, in fact."

"So do you like this house?" Cardamom asks. "It's the only house I've ever known, but I think it's nice."

"It's a nice home, and seems to be a lovely place to grow old in. I just have no real comparison. I've never had much of a place of my own. Hard to believe, eh? A destitute demigod, eh?" Alptraum says, laughs a bit at it. "I've never really known feeling safe, or having money, or well, much of anything."

"Do you live at the temple in Babel then?" Cardamom asks. "Sounds like you had a lot of adventures though."

"I don't have any specific home in Babel. I move from place to place. Sometimes I've stayed at the Temple, others an inn. Others the streets. It just varies. I go where I'm needed," Alptraum answers.

"But how do you know where you're needed?" the Fnerf asks, and nibbles on one of Alptraum's ears. "Do you actually hear people praying to you?"

"No, nothing so much like that. I listen, I travel, I become other people and just find out what is going on in the city by being part of it," Alptraum answers as that ear ends up flick-flick-flicking around.

"The Sisters don't tell you what to do then either I suppose," the maid says. "Need anyplace washed that you don't want to do yourself?"

"Oh, they sometimes ask me to do stuff, and I have to do it. Not because I am bound, but because it helps garner trust and support," Alptraum says. The question makes his ears perk a bit, though, then he grins. "Oh, you can wash me anywhere," he teases.

"Will you be alright without the head rest while I do that?" Cardamom asks in a teasing voice.

"What? I've already seen everything," Alptraum quips, though he does also close his eyes.

After a moment Alptraum feels lots of swishing around of water, then soapy rubbing in his groin area.

"Yeeee!" goes Alptraum! And other parts tend to have swelling issues too! At least in this body, such contacts have visible results. "Just went right there, eh?" he laughs.

"This way you won't fall asleep," Cardamom claims. Then she starts the washing process, which feels warm at least. Although there is some squeezing involved.

And a lot of squirming around, at that. "I'm sure some people could fall asleep to this, but not me, no," he agrees.

"You must know some strange people then," Cardamom comments, and washes more vigorously. "I'll make sure you don't fall asleep!"

Alptraum acks! "You're going to make the bath water weird if you keep that up!" he whines.

"I'll be careful," the Fnerf promises. "I think I'm getting the feel of it." She eases off a bit when Alptraum looks like he's going to pop, but tries to just keep him at the edge.

"That isn't exactly helping!" Alptraum complains, squirms, and has terrible flashbacks to some events at Mount Gorphat. Granted, everything that happens there is awful, and weird, so lots of overlap.

Alptraum breathes out! "You are really evil," he mutters, now irritated and aroused!

"I've got nobody else to play with like this," is the Fnerf's defense. "You didn't want the water messed up."

"Don't you mess with the traders that come through?" Alptraum asks as he tries to calm down. "And if I messed up the water people would smell it on me, and I don't want to explain that!"

"Not if I don't want to explode, thanks," Alptraum grouses. "Well, maybe my back and wings."

And so there is shuffling, and sloshing, and once there was an 'ow!' when he banged his knee, but eventually Alptraum gets into sort of a kneeling position in the tub.

Cardamom spreads Alptraum's wings a bit to expose all of his back, and starts to soap up the fur. First with her hands, then with her breasts.

"Is using your breasts really necessary?" Alptraum asks at one point. Maybe he's just jealous he doesn't have any right now.

She does have to use her hands to get to the bat's lower back though. She can't get to his butt though because of his position.

Alptraum lifts up to make getting to his butt possible. "And okay, I concede to your logic on why you have to use them," he admits.

So of course she grabs his butt, while rubbing his back with her breasts still. "Seeeee? It works better this way."

That sort of makes Alptraum snort-laugh. "Okay, okay," he concedes. "I surrender!"

At some point Cardamom stops groping and switches to Alptraum's wings, also using her breasts since they're softer. She hums while she works, and sometimes nuzzles the back of Alptraum's head.

Alptraum uses the time to give himself sort of an internal physical to make sure he's still stable while she works! Plus it's a good distraction from the weird boob-fondling.

The constant state of semi-arousal is keeping him stable it seems. So relaxing may be key to the transformation.

Alptraum can hardly stay tense the entire time! Still, useful information. "I'm surprised you're not trying to get me to change into something bigger and more compatible," he mutters.

"That would be harder to wash!" Cardamom points out. "I was going to wait until after you're dried off."

"So the bow is to tell the difference?" Cardamom asks while getting the rinsing ladle. "Your pet one is a girl too isn't it? Are all dragons girls then?"

"No, not all dragons are girls. They come in all flavors, mixed flavors, and even no flavor," Alptraum explains and even shrugs some, which tends to make water go all over.

Then the water comes to rinse off Alptraum's back and wings. It feels a bit like he's being basted.

"Good, I can get dried off now," Alptraum says and after making sure he won't bang into her, the bat rises up and lets water roll off a bit before trying to get out of the tub.

"Something wrong?" Cardamom asks, working her tail downwards so it's not in his face anymore.

"What's wrong with a towel?" Alptraum has to ask as he smooths out his head now.

"More fun!" Cardamom claims, but does exchange her tail for a towel. She just doesn't hand it over, and works on drying him herself.

"You must get really lonely here," Alptraum observed, grateful to no longer be pommeled by tail! "I can't be that interesting."

"You're new, and very interesting," the Fnerf claims. "And you can be different people even! How many demigods am I going to meet in my lifetime?"

"How can you be sure you haven't met others already?" Alptraum points out and taps her right on the nose.

"Because you were the first visitor other than the traders," Cardamom says. "And if any of them were demigods, they didn't seem to be very special."

"Everyone is unique," Alptraum claims. "I'm just strange. There are so many better than I am."

"Oh? What other demigods are there?" Cardamom asks, gently drying off Alptraum genitals.

"Being a person? I've been a failure at that many times," Alptraum says and shrugs. "There was a time I was willing to help destroy the world."

"You can do that?" Cardamom asks. "So.. basically you're like normal people but you can actually act on thoughts like that?"

"I probably could help it happen in some way. But no, I'd rather not," Alptraum says and shrugs a bit again. "Should we check on the others soon?"

"I guess you're dry enough," Cardamom agrees. "Will Tulani want a bad, or does she use her tongue?"

"She'll want a bath," Alptraum answers and laughs. "You also need to get me that dressing gown."

"Wait here!" the Fnerf instructs, then heads out of the bathroom, taking the used towel with her.

"I ... yeah, I'm not going to go streaking," Alptraum says after she departs. So, he finds a dry stool to sit on and close his eyes for a minute!

The door opens and Tulani peeks in. "Are you done with the bath?" she asks Alptraum.

"Well, Cardamom went past me just now and told me get out of my clothes and take a bath," Tulani replies. "Why are you just sitting here?"

"I'm waiting on a dressing gown so I'm not walking around naked," Alptraum points out. "She wants to wash our clothing."

"What? I still have my clothes on," Tulani claims, and sticks her tongue out at Alptraum.

"I can fix that quickly," Alptraum says. "So, are you going to take a bath or not?" He grins.

"Yes," Tulani says, and slides in and starts to disrobe. "What's a dressing gown?" she asks.

"Fancy robe," Alptraum answers simply. "I could just make shadow clothing too, for that matter." He also makes some lewd whistles when Tulani bares certain places. Probably just to be obnoxious; he's good at that.

"You always get weird when I'm getting into or out of tight pants," Tulani points out, and adds extra wiggling anyway.

"When am I not weird?" Alptraum points out, right before poking her with a dozen different shadow tentacles.

Tulani acks and swats back with her tail, just as Cardamom returns. "I didn't expect you to both be in here!" she claims, and holds out a folded Zolk garment to Alptraum.

Alptraum withdraws the shadow and quickly takes the robe. "What, you weren't planning an orgy?" Alptraum asks, smirks, and unfolds the garment. Then has to spend a bit figuring out how it goes on. Wings complicate everything.

Since it's an Eeee's dressing gown, it accommodates wings, but in a complicated way. The only other dressing gown he's seen is Dr. Twig's, and he didn't pay a lot of attention to how it dealt with wings. This one is black and purple, which makes it harder to find the slits. Finally, Cardamom notes, "I can help you. These things generally require an assistant."

"So that's why you wanted me in one," Alptraum accuses! Though he does also allow her to help. He even sticks his arms straight out and sighs like he's suffering!

Cardamom has clearly done this for Samson many times, and the gown goes on very quickly. Before Alptraum can comment, she's already tying the sash in front.

Alptraum is at a loss at figuring out how she even did it. "Blugh," he comments so intelligently. "Did you see how that was done?" he asks Tulani.

"I wasn't paying attention," Tulani says, as she's busy undoing the laces on her vest.

"Some sidekick you are!" Alptraum chides and waggles his finger. "How are you ever going to earn your Gallesian maid's dress at this rate?"

"Ugh! I'll go naked before wearing one of those!" Tulani claims, then blinks. "Wait.. your brother?"

"Reggie seems nice," Tulani concedes, and then narrows her eyes at Alptraum. "Or else?" she asks.

Alptraum nods sagely. "Or else you visit Slaves to Art, for some work," he claims.

"No, turning your body into art. Painting, tattoos, jewelry inserted in the body, and so on," Alptraum explains, shrugs.

"How would that work?" the extremely fluffy foxtaur asks. "I suppose it only works on people with really short fur?"

"You can be shaved," Alptraum points out. "Anyway, I should let Tulani get her bath. Either that or make her my harem slave." He grins at her.

"I know several that want the job," Alptraum counters. He then pauses and has to ask ... "Harem chamber?"

"You're just messing with me," Alptraum deadpans and arches his brow. "So, of course I have to see it."

Cardamom leaves the bathroom, then both she and Alptraum have to make way for Cardamom's larger brother, who nods to Alptraum in passing. "It's in the other wing," Cardamom explains, and keeps going.

Alptraum swats the larger Fnerf off the butt in passing. "Let 'em wonder," the bat thinks as he follows Cardamom at this point through the building. Maybe he should have gone back to Babel sooner.

They finally come to a double-doored room, and Cardamom fiddles with the puzzle-lock to open it. Then has to light the lamps inside. Before that though Alptraum hears a lot of fabric being rustled from the initial door opening.

"Why do I walk into these things?" Alptraum asks himself and gestures to the ceiling. "Am I just an idiot?"

The lamps are lit, revealing a huge wardrobe for the late Lady of the Manor. There is a lot of lingerie though, and a pile of pillows in the center along with some musical instruments.

"And this room is ... ?" Alptraum asks as he enters. "It looks like a giant closet..."

"This is the Lord and Lady's Harem room," Cardamom explains. "Mrs. Cake played music too, before Mr. Cake arrived and married her."

"So it's the room where the couples would spend time together in. A playroom," Alptraum opines. "Harems do usually involve more than just two total people."

"Yes.. Mrs. Cake was here too," Cardamom says. "I don't know what her maiden name was though. I don't fully understand Lapis."

"No one understands lapis," Alptraum admits. "Though I shouldn't complain. I don't even understand myself."

"I think they all played together back then," Cardamom asides to Alptraum in a whisper.

"If they enjoyed it, no harm in it," Alptraum points out as he heads to the pillow pile and sort of falls face first into it.

This leads to having a Fnerf flops across his back. Not all of the Fnerf, thankfully, just the upper part.

"I'm under attack!" Alptraum declares as he comically waves his arms a bit. "So ... why did you bring me here anyway?"

"I was joking. No one could stand me that long, and I don't blame them," Alptraum mutters.

"Well, I want a harem then," Cardamom says. "At least while you're here. You count as a harem, right? You're more than one guy after all."

"I'm a guy, a girl, a mix, and none of them all in one," Alptraum points out and tries to roll to his side. "Plus, plain odd and a bit broken."

"Isn't everyone odd and a bit broken?" Cardamom asks. "Can you make me into a biped.. temporarily?"

"I could, but it would mess with you pretty heavily. Are you sure you want to? And what species?" Alptraum asks.

"There's not just me as a biped then?" Cardamom asks, then cups her breasts. "I didn't think it would be that big of a change."

"It's not that simple. I need a pattern to base a change off of. I don't think I could give you biped legs," Alptraum admits, frowns. "But, I guess I can try if you want me to. "Just ... close your eyes and try to relax."

"Well.. what else would be close?" Cardamom asks. Then takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.

Alptraum places his hands upon her, then breathes in and out as he tries to focus and engulf her slowly into the shadow. The first thing to do is to ken her, and make sure he knows her body in depth and can restore it. Then the tricker part; can he actually just give her two legs? Sort of give her a female Hexen bottom? Did he ever ken Hexen when he was in Sylvania? He doesn't even remember!

It isn't as hard as Alptraum expected. There's a part of Cardamom's makeup that seems to include a bipedal template, and even if he hasn't kenned Hexen, he did have a very realistic dream-memory of a female version of his childhood friend.

And so Alptraum tries to give Cardamom's body into that bipedal shape, bit by bit, very gently. He doesn't want to cause pain of mutilate her badly in the process.

When it's finished, there's a Cardamom-colored younger version of Hexen's mother. He doesn't know how long it will last before he has to change her back though.

And Alptraum withdraws the shadow. "Huh, okay, well, that worked?" he says a bit nervously. Open your eyes?" he requests.

Cardamom opens her eyes and looks a bit dizzy. She's already sitting down at least, and first feels her now-smaller breasts, but leans forward a bit and looks between her legs. "So that's what it looks like!" she exclaims.

"Well ... not really. That shape is a bit different from your usual one," Alptraum admits, now feeling oddly embarrassed by that.

The newly-minted vixen also feels her rump. "So weird.." she says. She flicks her smaller tail around as well, with equal fascination.

"Weird how? I guess I'm so used to having very different bodies I don't really think about it anymore," Alptraum admits. "There's nothing wrong with the normal you."

"I feel so much smaller and lighter," Cardamom explains. She doesn't try to stand up though. "How do I look?"

"Like a smaller version of you," Alptraum explains, "So you look fine." He leaves out the part she looks like the mother of his childhood friend.

The vixen flops back onto the pillows, something that would have been rather awkward before. "One back! So much simpler," she says with a giggle. Then she reaches for the sash on Alptraum's dressing gown.

Alptraum arches his brow as she reaches. "Hey, I have no idea how to remove this thing," he points out and grins a bit.

"I don't want to damage it! This probably cost more money than I've ever held in my life," Alptraum blurts out.

"I'm serious, this thing needs to come off if you want to do anything. Especially if you want me to be something different," Alptraum claims.

So the vixen helps him out of it, while still having to lean on him several times as she loses balance.

And so, away it's carefully placed, lest he be in debt for the rest of his life. "So ... " he asks, "Do you want me ... or a different me?"

"Me? But I'm ... boring," Alptraum claims. "And bitey." And he demonstrates the last bit by actually biting her on the shoulder. Why? He missed dinner.

This causes Cardamom to giggle, which sounds a lot different when she only has one pair of lungs for it. "You're pretty interesting to me!" she claims.

"Glad you feel that way, because this will hurt," Alptraum says just before biting down harder. Enough to draw blood. He really did need to have some sort of meal, after all and he could hardly have meals like this around children.

This isn't unexpected by Cardamom, but the effect of it surprises her. Before, it wouldn't have been enough to faze her, but now it does make her woozy.

Alptraum is careful enough to not cause problems, given he has learned what's safe for people or not. When he gets close, that's when he stops. He releases his jaws and makes sure to use the shadow to heal that spot. He also takes advantage of her wooziness by easing her back. What follows is sort of another bite. Well, more like a kiss. Involving tongue. Between her thighs. That's definitely going to be a newer experience!

This makes the newly-minted vixen gasp, and then struggle to raise her torso, which she eventually manages by using her elbows to prop it up. All so that she could see what was going on. She's panting heavily as well, probably still getting used to the lower lung capacity.

Alptraum looks up, while being, well, down. He's actually smirking given all of this has to feel really weird to her. And so, he stops, lifts his head, and says, "Well, I can stop of this is too strange..."

Alptraum laughs. "Pervert!" he claims and goes right back to what he was doing! Of course while he's doing that, he gets an odd sort of idea. He tries to see if he can grow just Scourge's tenta-tail, since it could be useful in doing ah, weird things, to her. For research. Right, research.

Despite the hip and waist anatomy not really being compatible, a tail begins to grow from Alptraum! Since Scourge doesn't really have bones in its tail, it grows pretty quickly before splitting into multiple tendrils.

Alptraum is impressed that actually sorta worked! Now can he control it? He tries to bring it around to, well, grope her torso his head is a bit focused, ah, below her waist, and his tongue somewhere inside it.

There is some flopping around, but this helps with the nerve development in the appendage. It's almost like having a second larger (split) tongue. Cardamom squeaks when she notices it once Alptraum manages to get it in groping range.

Alptraum is trying to get them to grab and caress her chest! It's already weird, so why not just go with it? Hopefully she doesn't panic.

A few more attempts and he's got it working as he wants.. but the tail has taste-buds on it that make it feel even more like a second tongue.

Given where it is, this is okay! So he keeps his head down and his tongue in that intimate sort of kiss. Her chest, though, have weird tendrils coiled around each breast, with one tendril sort of 'licking' over each nipple.

Cardamom makes lots of weird noises. She'd be whipping her tail around if it wasn't pinned under Alptraum's chin, at least from the wiggling attempts that he feels. Her legs are still free though, but they just randomly kick at his sides and wings. That may or may not be deliberate motion. The fox musk is getting pretty thick now, especially with his nose in a prime location for smelling it.

Alptraum stops and actually asks, "Should I stop?" The smell, well, he's been around worse! Gorphat's temple has gotten him used to much worse. While his mouth isn't being used, those tendril-things are still moving. Well, squirming in disturbing ways on her chest.

There's a lot of panting and wheezing from the fox, so it may be taking a few moments for the question to sink in. "Stop?" Cardamom finally asks. "What? WHY? Is there more?"

"Well, it might be too weird?" Alptraum offers? Granted he doesn't give her any real time to reply, his head goes right back down to what he was doing! He doesn't really intend to stop until she curls her toes, and the hair on his cheeks curl from the smell.

"Weird? What's.. weird.. anyway?" Cardy chokes out. "What do two-legged vixens.. like?"

Alptraum shrugs at that! He actually has no idea. So, he goes right back to what he was doing! And continues it for several more minutes before stopping and crawling up her so that he's face to face. He doesn't think he messed with anything below that tail, so should be .. functional? He's going to try anyway! The tail lets go of what it was holding to be replaced with his own hands. The tail still has usage, though! He's now trying to use it to pin her hands and arms above her head!

"Wow.. you're stronger than me!" Cardamom blurts out. "And I can see your face!"

"And more appropriately sized," Alptraum claims next as he tries to prove that by replacing was what his tongue with other parts of his anatomy.

"Big!" is the vixen's wide-eyed response. At least she can sort of move her tail a bit now, so that it's wagging up between Alptraum's legs.

Alptraum is not minding having a tail! Useful! Though he's soon not thinking too much about that but instead is pretending to be big! And seeing what sort of sounds he can get her to make!

Cardamom's noises are surprisingly high-pitched at times, when she isn't making odd whines or yips. She also closes her eyes for a lot of them as well.

Alptraum is somewhat good ad judging himself, so he's able to push and keep Cardamom in those high note zones for a while. Of course eventually his body rebels and he's caught by surprise too and ends up being rather high-pitched himself when things pop on him.

At least this isn't as awkward as the dream where Hexen was a vixen (plus nothing stinks). Cardamom just pants quietly for a bit as well.

Alptraum pants too, and takes a moment to try and get a look at the tail he grew, which means letting her arms go at least!

The tail is smooth and black, with a line of glowing green spots that splits to follow each branch. The lack of bones makes it look a bit odd though.

Alptraum wiggles it all around and looks back at where it attaches, just because.

That part looks.. odd. The tail is too thick at the base to really fit naturally, since it's nearly three-quarters the width of Alptraum's hips.

Alptraum hehs, and reaches back to even poke it, before he tries to withdraw it and go 'back to normal'.

It doesn't feel like any normal limb would.. almost more like a muscular breast! It isn't any harder to absorb than it was to grow though.

Alptraum wiggles his butt once it's back to normal! He's never quite sure if that will work. It's not long after he flops onto Cardamom and relaxes. "So ... better or worse than normal you?" he asks after a bit.

"Different," the vixen replies. "It's a lot more.. full-bodied I think. Things aren't so far apart!"

Alptraum nods. "Never thought about it that way," he admits, "But then I guess I also enjoy things that are just different from the 'normal' for the experience of it."

"Do you have a preferred form then, or is it different for each partner?" Cardy asks. "You seemed sort of surprised with the spotty-cat girl one."

"It varies wildly based on partner or mood. I've never actually been a spotty girl before, so becoming one was a bit of a shock. I wasn't aware I could," Alptraum explains.

This causes Cardamom to prop herself up on one elbow again. "What do you mean you weren't aware you could?" she asks. "Is there some sort of limit?"

"Well, as far as I knew, I could only become like those I've actually examined in detail. I'd never examined a female savanite before, yet I could turn into one. So ... it goes against what I understood my limits were," Alptraum explains.

"So maybe it was never a limit in the first place?" Cardamom suggests. "The original way may have just been easier or something."

"Possibly. I'm a bit of a one-off weird thing anyway, so applying normal limits to it may not really make sense," Alptraum says, shrugs, yawns.

Cardamom pokes Alptraum. "You gotta change me back before you go to sleep! If my family finds out about this it'll be awkward!" she says.

"Well, you'd change back on your own anyway. I didn't force it to be permanent," Alptraum says as he rolls off, then sits up. "So, you want to go back then?"

The vixen struggles to sit up as well. "On my own? Like when I wake up I'll be back to normal?" she asks. "So long as it's before I leave the room. If anyone else finds out you'll be pestered by everyone!"

Alptraum stretches. "What, to be something different?" he asks. "But fine, I'll restore you to normal. Just relax...." And as he says that he's putting his hands back on her and prepares to shadow-engulf.

"Yes, so it'll be my own secret," Cardamom says. "I don't want my brother Tumeric getting in on this."

"Not sure how that ... matters," Alptraum admits, then grins. "Well, see you on the other side!" And with that, her world goes into, well, black goo!

There's always a bit more power needed to create mass than he gets from absorbing it. This leaves a little more tired afterwards. And a bit more crowded when it's down. Especially when the Fnerf's tail falls over him.

Alptraum oofs! He flails and wheezes! "I'm being swallowed!" he wails out. A bit of an oversell, really. But hey, she's back to normal!

It takes awhile for Cardamom to get all her limbs sorted out again, but her tail does get removed from atop Alptraum. Then he gets face-smacked by her breasts as she tries to get up without stepping on him.

Alptraum acks! Flails! And down he goes into his back. "Cut down! Defeated!" he complains as he looks upward.

"I thought you liked my breasts?" Cardamom asks, and teasingly (or threateningly) holds them over him while restraining them with her hands.

Alptraum rolls his eyes. "I do," he confesses. "I'm just being a bit silly. Thank you for helping with the bath, by the way. It was, er ... well, not exactly relaxing but still nice!"

"I have to pick up Tulani's clothes still," she remembers. "The two of you can share the same dressing gown, can't you?"

"Er, no? We both need to be dressed," Alptraum points out. "But I can make my own with shadow, if you need to take the gown."

"Oh, I just hadn't planned on giving Tulani anything to wear while cleaning her clothes," Cardamom explains. "I don't think anyone would complain if she didn't wear anything, and it's not like Toast - he's the young Lapi buck - hasn't seen naked women before. I'm pretty sure the kids are all too young still to care. It's more for the sake of my older brother."

"Tulani will care, though. So, go ahead and give her the gown. I can manage something else," Alptraum says, finally getting off his back and butt, then standing. This time when he draws out shadow, it's to make robes to work as clothing for himself.

"Do you need to be woken for anything before morning, or is it best to let you rest as long as you need?" the Fnerf asks, after getting her top on, which switches her into housekeeper mode.

"Mmm, best to let me rest," Alptraum admits. "Especially since I need to rest for travel and such."

So Cardamom gives Alptraum a kiss before gathering up the dressing gown. "I'll be quiet when I bring your washed clothes back," she promises.

Alptraum nods and stretches. Shadow clothing always looks and feels a bit weird, but at least it makes for some privacy. "Thank you," he tells Cardamom. "I'll head back to my room, then, and let you see to your actual duties without my distractions."

"If you like," Alptraum agrees and smiles. "Not necessary, though, if you have more important tasks."

"Well, you're pretty important as an honored guest," the Fnerf points out. "I am sure there will be a formal farewell from the master and the children. Maybe the witch will want to do something? I'm not familiar with witches."

Alptraum shrugs. "The children are more important than I am. They represent the future," he points out, but still remains smiling. "If that does happen, though, well, thank you. I appreciate the thought I was worth it."

"And we almost missed out!" Cardamom says. "If you hadn't decided to stop here initially, who knows how things would have turned out."

He thinks a bit about that. "Hard to say. I'd have likely had to take the children to Babel, then probably an orphanage," Alptraum finally admits.

"I doubt they'd do as well in the city as here, where they can stay together," Cardy claims. "And it will keep the master from just.. wasting away like he was." She nearly chokes up when saying the last part. "He needed something more to live for."

"I agree. This place is a much better place than the city would have been. This is a home. Babel would have just been ... housing. Still, I wish it were not necessary, that they had not lost their village, but as an outcome this can't really be beaten," Alptraum agrees.

"Well, I suppose being who you are meant you were bound to come out this way," Cardamom says. "Sunala's will, because of how those people died, and who did it.."

"Well, yes," Alptraum agrees. Whether it's true or not, who's to say. "Still, they have a new home now, and a chance to heal. What happens from here on is in their control now. Not much more I can do."

"We'll take care of them, don't worry," Cardamom claims, and beats her own chest. "And hopefully others will come too."

Alptraum nods. "I hope others from the village did make it, and come. I could see this place become a new town in time if enough do. It's actually a good location for a trading hub," Alptraum says, "And would benefit many places."

"And we have a witch," Cardamom says. "I hear that's important for a town. I never even thought about being a trading center. Would that mean we'd be the home for the trader caravans?"

"Possibly. You'd need a tavern and Inn first, though. It'll take some time," Alptraum claims. "Still, I could see it happening. As for a witch, I dunno. It depends on the area."

"Would we need prostitutes too then?" Cardamom wonders. "Aunty would probably know."

"Well, it doesn't hurt to have them. Sex is always a draw," Alptraum admits. "I could also see about sending some of the Yodh this way if it would even remotely help. Maybe a Yodhrinala to act as a doctor."

"And.. carpenters.." Cardamom says. "So it seems a lot more complicated then just having people move in."

"Well, if it will happen that will get sorted out. Traders will want a place and ask folks to come and so on. Give it time," Alptraum offers.

"I'm sure the master will know what's needed, since he had this manor and all the rest built," Cardamom says, nodding. She looks relieved that she doesn't have to worry about it personally. "I'll go check on Tulani then, if you don't need me for anything else?"

Cardamom manages to turn around in the limited space of the 'Harem Room' and heads out after giving Alptraum another quick kiss.

Alptraum noses Cardemom's cheek, then kisses it. "Talk to you later, thank you," he says and watches her leave. He stretches again a bit, then yawns. "Back to my room, I think," he muses as he now heads to leave.

Alptraum straightens up the room, trying to return it to as it was, and then leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Then it's off back through the house to his room! In shadow clothing. Still, at least it's some clothing.

There's still the sound of activity from the ground floor, but Alptraum doesn't run into anyone on his way back to his usual room, which is close to the actual bathroom.

Alptraum pauses at points to listen to what is going on downstairs. But eventually, he does make his way back to his room, and slips inside.

Tulani is sitting on the small bed, trying to puzzle out the dressing gown. "Do you know how this works?" she asks Alptraum. "Or should I just wait until my clothes are brought back?"

"I sort of know how it works," Alptraum admits. "I can try to help if you want. Or, you can just wait for clothing..."

"A little worn. Spent too much energy letting Cardemom be bipedal for a bit, but I think I'm mostly fine," Alptraum says as he tries to gauge how low his reserve actually is right now from all of that.

Since topping up his energy that morning, he doesn't feel particularly low, just a bit fatigued from normal activity. The net energy loss from the transformation is negligible. "That must have been weird for her," Tulani says.

"She liked it. Had fun, so ... all good. Lots of people like getting a chance to be different for a bit. I know I've learned to enjoy being able to be like others," Alptraum admits, grins. "I enjoy all the forms I can become."

"Well, that might be the least favorite," Alptraum counters just because of that.

Tulani sticks her tongue out at that. Then asks, "So what's your second least favorite then?"

"Haven't given it much thought," Alptraum claims. "Weren't you going to take a nap?"

"Yessss," Tulani replies. "Are you going to hang around, or do you need the bed too?"

"I figured I would hang to avoid crowding the bed. Did you prefer something else?" Alptraum asks.

"Just by keeping the warmth in with your wings, so I can spread mine out to dry more," Tulani points out. "Feathers take longer to dry than skin."

"Oh, well, I guess I could do that," Alptraum concedes. "Just be warned I have weird dreams and sometimes change."

"Do you ever change into a fish?" Tulani asks as she lies on the bed and fans her wings out a little.

"Er, no?" Alptraum says as he does a running leap onto the bed and makes it bounce! Sometimes he can be such a child.

"Oof!" Tulani says. "Just don't turn into a fish then, or something that will crush me! And try not to drool on me."

"Well, I can't promise not to drool," Alptraum jokes as he snuggles up close and does indeed drape a wing over her. "I am a monster, after all."

"And I'm a weird hybrid," Tulani notes. "With a fantastic body though! So you're at least a snuggly monster."

"Yeah, but you might like it," Alptraum jokes as he settles in and closes his eyes. "Anyway, I'll try to behave."

Breakfast was busy, and had a lot of teary eyes as the children attempted to pile on Alptraum to keep him from going (while only the boys tried to hug Tulani into submission). Aunty and Samson where a bit more patient, letting the children get their goodbyes in first.

"Wah!" goes Alptraum as he's sort of tackle-hugged. Granted they weigh little and it's not really a problem, but he helps them think they're able to pile on and hold him down for at least a little bit. "Hey now, you have a new family to help out and get settled with, and each other to look out for now. I've got others I have to help too. And besides, if I am actually needed Aunty here could get ahold of me,

" he points out. And there's some truth to that, he did leave a strand of his own hair with her, just in case. The whole sympathetic magic approach.

"On my discretion," Aunty pipes up. "No frivolous requests. You'll each be taught to read and write, then you can write letters to Alptraum."

"And when you've even older, maybe you can join some of the groups that are working to help others too," Alptraum points out. "If anything the only payment I would ask of each of you is that when you can in time, to help others too."

"Do we get badges?" Dravitz asks. "No, capes!" Cedra counters. "Our own dragons?" Gillam asks.

"I'm sure there will be some sort of training," Samson claims. "And you still have responsibilities here as well until you're older."

"Well, someone with more free time at least," Tulani says, and pokes Alptraum in the shoulder.

Alptraum oofs, dramatically. "I suppose I have to return to lizardland for the trip back," he admits.

"Maybe a little," Aunty claims. "It may have absorbed some of the magical nature of the dragon. We'll have to test it, if you're interested."

Alptraum arches his brows a bit at Aunty, but otherwise says nothing. "I could be a weirder dragon too, but I'm not sure how well it can handle long travel," he says instead.

"I have something for you," Samson says, as Chives steps up holding one of the Summerland wine bottles.

"You didn't have to give me anything," Alptraum says, a bit surprised. He does accept the offer, though, and looks over the label.

It's likely from one of the last batches, before Samson's wife passed away. It even has her face on the label.

"Did she have family in Babel?" Tulani asks. Samson shakes his head. "Like me, she was estranged from her family."

"Are you sure I should have this? It was made by the your wife," Alptraum says as he looks up.

"She should have a reserved space on Mt. Sunala," Samson says. "I think it should be imbibed of course, but the bottle can be interred.

Alptraum nods at this. "I will see what I can do with respect to that. But I too agree it should be consumed. It was made for that, after all," Alptraum agrees. He bows to Samson. "Sir, if the people of Babel were only half as kind as you, the world would be a better place. Thank you, truly, for being a good person."

"I'm still selfish," Samson claims with a smirk. "I didn't try to save anyone else from Babel, just myself and my wife."

"If I can do well by these children, that will be a greater accomplishment," Samson says. "Thank you for the opportunity, Barsunala."

"Be careful or I'll find even more for you to do," Alptraum jokes as he grins. "If anything does come up and you do require my aid, please reach out."

"I hope we can handle things on our own, but if more people show up we will let you know," Samson says. "Once we've gotten the fields growing again, we may be able to take more in."

"We'll keep the Yodhblakat from trying to poach any of the girls too," Tulani promises.

"Oh! If it helps and more do show up, I can ask one of the Yodhrinala or the like to come and act as a new down doctor," Alptraum offers. "If it would help. Yodhrinala and Yodhgorphat do make reasonably good medical folk."

Alptraum looks at Aunty. "What?" he asks. "It is no reflection on you; just an offer if needed."

"When we have more people, yes," Aunty says. "We could use a Yodhsunala though. They're educated and can teach the children much."

Alptraum hands the bottle over to Tulani. "Could you carry this? I won't have very useful hands soon," he admits.

Alptraum smirks. "Right. I guess I need to change, then," he says and moves a bit away from everyone and sits down. "It's dragon time," he muses, wraps himself in his wings, then over than, in shadow. One inside, the question is of course which dragon. One they're used to? Scourge? Something else?

Alptraum decides on the same dragon form he wore when coming, particularly when going to Mt. Inala. It's usually not a good idea to go as the pet of another Goddess.

After a few minutes, the shadow withdraws to reveal a silver dragoness (though not quite as big as before, since there aren't any passengers to carry).

Alptraum stretches out each limb, and yawns with lots of sharp teeth. "There we go. A long-distance travel form," she claims. It's not like a female dragon's voice is higher than Alptraum's usual one, amusingly enough.

"No. Only one body here. I could summon one I act as the jailer for, but that's about it," Alptraum answers. "Why?"

"Probably not the best time to bring out the pet dragon," Cardamom advises. "Or you'll never get to leave."

"Er, right. Anyway, I do need to get going, and Kaira will gripe if I keep bothering her," Alptraum agrees. "Ready to go, Tulani?"

"Do I get to ride you?" Tulani asks. She hasn't transformed yet (since everyone is watching and she still looks naked in her half-dragon from).

Tulani climbs onto Alptraum's back (no rope harness this time), with their belongings and the bottle in her bag. She weighs more than Aunty and Cedra combined.

"You need to lose some weight," Alptraum remarks to Tulani. The dragon than lifts a foreleg and waves to the others. "Be well, all. I will try to visit from time to time," she promises. Then she's off in a short, ground-shaking bound and then winging it into the air.

Tulani helps by beating her own wings in time. "Once we're far enough away, I can change and fly the rest of the way on my own," she tells Alptraum.

"Wow, I never get to ride!" Tulani says, and grabs onto Alptraum's horns like they're handlebars.

Alptraum may end up regretting it, but for now Alptraum just flies on in the direction of Babel. She'll have to circle around to reach Mt. Inala, but that's not until the city is in view. "Just behave," she requests, but on she goes!

Tulani behaves, since she probably will want to ride again in the future. The landscape is still doesn't have any signs of activity from dragon-flight altitude, and they reach the edge of Babel airspace in about an hour. Airship traffic gets busy below them, but of course they will only be traveling in a line to and from the docks.

And Alptraum intends to go lower, and keep away from the dock lanes. It's awkward to meet a warship while being a big scary murder machine. Or even a dragon. "Doing okay back there?" she asks.

"Next time I'll find turbulence!" Alptraum claims and dives a bit to reach the lower travel lane.

Tulani also keeps her eyes pealed, but seems to be focused on the mountains below. "I don't see anything on fire," she reports. "The Vigilant Eye is still docked at Mr. Rephath."

"Were you expecting otherwise?" Alptraum asks. Now she's looking some too! "I don't think many would be brave enough to attack a giant flying murder machine. Or me."

"Just looks quiet is all," Tulani says. "I was half-expecting something to have exploded since we were both gone."

"I'm sure something did, somewhere," Alptraum does admit. "Hopefully we're both wrong."

"Maybe," Tulani says. And the leans forward as they get lower. "Need me to jump off before you land?"

"Probably not, so up to you," Alptraum claims. Now she's doing the city swing-around to reach Mount Inala from the back side. "Glad to be back, at all? Or would you have preferred to stay at that estate?"

"I get twitchy if I'm gone too long," Tulani admits. "I'll have to check in with Cricket later."

"Still needs to sleep more," Tulani says. "She'll probably have a research task for me."

"One you won't share with me, I'm sure," Alptraum quips, "Since I'm not part of the club."

"It's stuff that you shouldn't be wasted on," Tulani says. "Mostly talking to sailors and stuff."

"Oh I know, I'm just teasing. Of course if you ever want to join some of the other sects too, let me know," Alptraum offers.

"I don't think the others take non-Eeee.. oh wait, no, Gorphat takes Skreeks doesn't She?" Tulani asks. "But, I wouldn't fit in to any of the others. Although I do want to fight a Yodhblakat ever since we met the Slakash. Unarmed that is!"

"Gorphat takes anyone, you'd fit right in," Alptraum claims, "And I'm sure I could arrange some fun for you with the Yodhblakat. Didn't know you were into foreplay with female Eeee!"

"Not everything Yodh do is for sexual gratification," Tulani claims. "Besides, didn't the Yodhblakat get knocked up by barinalas? I doubt they had to beat the Yodh into submission to turn them on."

"No, they were beaten to turn them on," Alptraum claims, more and laughs. "I'll see what I can arrange sometime."

"It's fun! I've even played it," Alptraum counters, "It's much better now that they don't use heads anymore." She banks, spotting the base of Mt. Inala.

"They used heads??" Tulani asks, as she braces for landing. "That has to be made up!"

"They did, way back," Alptraum claims as she turns upward a bit so she can catch the ground with her hind legs, then rock forward as she runs to wear out the forward momentum.

Tulani oofs, as her chest hits Alptraum's neck. At least she didn't yank on the handle-horns.

Alptraum goes oof too! A run becomes a light jog, then a slow trot, then a stop. "There we go. Are you intact back there?" Alptraum asks.

"Aaaand, we're home! Scary, eh?" Alptraum admits after she looks around. "Aaand now we have to walk alll the way up."

"You can take big steps though," Tulani says, and starts to jog up the mountain.

"You didn't fly all the way!" Alptraum claims, then ambles slowly after her up the mountain.

So, Tulani turns around and walks backwards. "Can Eeee run? I know Skreeks can run, but their feet are still pretty foot-like compared to an Eeee."

"Eeee can run fine. You've seen me run," Alptraum points out and rolls her eyes.

"Then a dragon should be able to run," Tulani points out. "Or.. bound. Yes, bounding. Bounding. That sounds right. A big round word.."

"Ugh, I'm tired. But fiiiine," Alptraum whines. Then she's bounds right at Tulani!

"Traitor!" Alptraum complains! But, he lets her ride on her back all the way up the mountain anyway.

Once at the old garden patio, Tulani jumps off so Alptraum can change back to normal.

Alptraum flops right down and wraps up in wings again, then in shadow, to revert shape! To regular ol' Alptraum unless the body wants to go in any specific other direction.

For once it doesn't seem to be trying to pull him to a particular form (maybe being a female dragon uses up a lot of female-energy). Or it could be because he's at the Temple of Inala.

So for now Alptraum just goes back to being Alptraum the guy Eeee. And when the shadow finally withdraws, he's himself, though wearing shadow clothing (since his regular clothing is packed).

"How do want to handle the wine?" Tulani asks as they enter the ruins of the temple. "Was she religious?"

"She worshipped the original sisters, so should probably be given to one of their sects, maybe. Though he did want the bottle donated to Mt. Sunala, so ... maybe we should just drink it and when done donate," Alptraum offers. "It was meant as a gift for us, I think."

"Yeah," Tulani says as she works the moral to unlock the secret door. "Do you know if Sunala's avatar has every had wine? And you're already the High Priestess of Gorphat so don't need to worry about that."

"I imagine she has probably had wine, yes, at specific rituals or events," Alptraum says, "Though I hope not too much."

"I'm sure her chaperones would not let the Goddess of Death get tipsy," Tulani says, gesturing for Alptraum to go first down the stairs to the Nest.

Alptraum arches his brow, then heads on down ... with his hands over his butt as he goes!

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

Alptraum rolls his eyes. "Yeah yeah," Alptraum says as he goes to find a box to sit on. "Oof, now that I'm back, there are so many things I need to go do."

An unfamiliar Eeee woman leans on an arch and asks, "What do you need to go do?" The voice sounds somewhat familiar at least. This woman has brown fur, brown eyes and black hair, but is still wearing a fancy looking dress.

Alptraum jumps up! "Who are you?!" he says, eyes narrowed a bit. He's not going to announce his plans to someone he doesn't know!

"Mave," the Eeee says. Her figure does match Mave's, and her facial structure as well. "If you couldn't recognize me right away, then I suppose the disguise is effective."

"Why are you dressed like that?" Alptraum has to ask as he deflates a bit. "As for what I have to do, I have artifacts to return to Mt. Gorphat, and I need to also go to Mt. Zakaro for guild matters."

"I have errands to run," Mave claims. "The Mages Guild has business with the Yodhzakaro?"

"It also has to do with recovered artifacts, mainly. Trying to identify specific objects, as well as track some remotely," Alptraum answers. "And what sort of errands? I was not aware you ever went out."

"I do need to consume food and drink, which need to be replenished and I can't just depend on Tulani being available," Mave explains. "And I have other things to check out."

"I'm just checking in with my descendants," Mave says. "To check on their pregnancies."

"So far," Mave says. "But there are some rituals that need to be performed for the development of Yodhinala candidates."

"I was not aware you were trying to rebuilt the sect. Is there anything you need from me?" Alptraum asks. He reaches up and actually cups her under her chin. "I do worry about you."

"Possibly," Mave says. "There may not be Yodhinala anymore, but beautiful children will still do well in society." She turns her head so that Alptraum is cupping her cheek. "Do you like my non-descript disguise?"

"It's hardly non-descript, just not Yodhinala," Alptraum points out. "And I would not be upset if you were trying to rebuild the Temple."

Alptraum leans in and kisses Mave's forehead. "I won't keep you. Remember, if you do need something, just ask," he says.

"Babel is much safer these days," Mave notes, and brushes Alptraum's cheek as she glides past towards the stairs.

Alptraum shakes his head and watches her leave. "If you knew she was going out," he says to Tulani, "You should have told me."

"I didn't know," Tulani says. "I don't even know where she is when I'm pretty sure she's here. She's very sneaky.. or uses magic."

"Anyway, I should probably deal with some of the other items now that I'm back," Alptraum adds and apologizes.

"I'll go pester Cricket," Tulani says, then asks, "You should visit Sunala sometime too, to thank her for her efforts at the River."

"I intend to do so. I just need to get actually dressed, then collect things," Alptraum says. He moves over to Tulani and kisses her on the cheek. "Thank you for all your help, by the way. I know I teased, but your help was invaluable."

"I request she get more sleep and relax more. I will come check on her when I can. If she needs me sooner, to send word and I will come," Alptraum offers.

"I'll have her give me a full progress report while she's getting a massage from.. the Lapi? Cricket's pretty short after all, and he seems the most likely to know how to give a massage. Muscle memory and all that!"

"Good idea. She's worried I hate her, and really don't," Alptraum admits. "Maybe I should actually take her on a date sometime. Or that might be too weird."

"An actual date?" Tulani asks, eyebrows raised. "Want me to find good dating establishments for teenagers?"

"Oh, right, Pouncer! Yes, I will take her out at some point too," Alptraum agrees. "Just not at the same time."

"Alright, let me know if you have activities in particular I should look for," Tulani says, then sighs. "Remember the amusement park in Chronotopia?"

"Unfortunately. Just something fun, maybe a little silly, and light," Alptraum offers. "Not creepy."

"Contortionists it is then!" Tulani declares, one hand raised towards the ceiling.

"There are stories in Sylvania about Khattah gone mad and devouring whole villages," Alptraum claims.

"Hah," Tulani says. "I'll try to find something fun for you," she adds, and sets the bottle on a table. "Need anything before I go to work?"

"No, I just have to get over the feeling of dread about going to the other temples," Alptraum admits. "Part of me wanted to just stay at the estate. Though having me there wouldn't help the children long term."

"Good luck with the Yodhzakaro.. if you find any," Tulani offers, and heads up the stairs.

Alptraum decides to deal with the needle and get that worry out of the way. So, first he has to find it, which takes him about half an hour in the poorly laid out storage (which is a boon if they ever got robbed). Once he does, he sets it on the edge of a crate so he can grab it once he's done, well, becoming an animal. Onto ther floor he goes, on hands and knees, since he'll have to walk on them as Scourge. The shadow billows out and engulfs him. And then the weird shifting this is. It's about going all sort of soft and rubbery; even Scourge's inner bones have disturbing bend and flex to them. The loss of the sense of smell, the ability to swallow, even all forms of gender to even to walk upright, all come is small amounts. When the shadow draws back though, the Eeee is gone, and the weird glowing fungus-dragon with Gorphat's mark of the Wound emblazoned on his forehead has taken its place. Now it's just a matter of grabbing the needle in its maw, and heading up the stairs to take to the air.

From Mt. Inala to Mt. Gorphat, and then into Gorphat's Gate, the hidden back-door through the mountain to the temple. It's much easier to navigate the booby-trapped route (although the traps have all been set off before, leaving chasms and other obstacles throughout) when you can walk on walls and squeeze through tight spaces. Knowing where everyone is by their auras also makes it a simple matter to avoid being seen.

Temple of Gorphat
The actual Temple area was never used much, as the Yodhgorphat preferred the natural caverns behind it, and it isn't like they had many pilgrims. As such, it could easily be mistaken for a ruin. The vaulted ceilings are hidden by mold and grime, the altar is covered in Chibix guano, and most of the offering bowls hold stagnant water - those that are dry are cracked, of course. Behind the altar is a tall blank expanse of wall, the plaster long since rotted away.

As usual, nobody hangs out in the altar chamber, since nobody is sure if it should be cleaned up or if that would count as blasphemy.

Being squishy means being able to move quite silently. So the dark creature (relatively, he doe shave glowing green spots) slinks up to the altar. Its mouth splits then it unfurls its tenta-tongue out and in its grasp is that disturbing bone-needle Alptraum recovered. It requires lighting its fore body up a bit, using its tail as counter-balance, then over the altar, where it releases the needle onto its surface.

"My my," comes a surprisingly non-gurgly voice. There's a green glow and fills the room, and the pretty version of Gorphat, "Gephesa" perches on the edge of the altar. The chamber walls seems to move backwards in time, as the plaster repairs itself, the mold and the Chibix guano vanishes as well.

Scourge takes a few steps back and sort of kneel-bows oddly. "I am returning the needle to the Temple," the dragon-thing claims. Its weird tail is trembling a bit nervously, though.

"I haven't seen this is in many ages," Gephesa claims, running a finger along the bone wand. "It will need to be returned to the archive, so that it can be discovered again."

"Shall I take it there, then?" Scourge asks, looking up a little at the pretty Gephesa. "Or another?"

"Not just yet," the goddess says, and leans over to kiss Scourge's snout. This causes an weird feeling that the creature can't quite recognize, but it doesn't go away.

This makes Scourge squeak a bit and twitch. He takes a step back and looks sort of cross-eyed at his own nose. Well, as well as his positioned eyes will allow, anyway. "What was that?" he asks.

Alptraum tries to check itself over on why it feels weird. Then it goes to reclaim the bone needle with its weird tongue in a monster-like sort of slurp.

Given how different this body is (and rarely feels anything) it's difficult to even localize the sensation. There are odd noises in the main corridor leading deeper into the mountain, but that is normal.

Scourge will figure it out later. Instead, it moves away from the altar, and bows again to Gephesa ... then turns and leaves the way it came to take one of the less traveled paths to the archive; it still prefers to not be spotted, after all.

There's an aura from the archive, but from the color it appears to belong to a sleeping person.

Scourge makes its way slowly in that direction, then slides sort of into the archive and peers about, trying to locate the sleeper, so it can move in the opposite direction they are, and also hopefully a still relatively uncatalogued area of the archive.

The archives sole occupant is a Skreek that has set up a nest under one of the tables, and snores loudly, except when he suddenly stops for a few seconds before starting again. There are many isles of shelves, and it isn't difficult to find the ones that haven't been sorted through yet, since they still have undisturbed dust.

And it's those that Scourge makes its way to, as far from the skreek as possible. Out it extends its tongue again as it tries to deposit the needle on that table, and nudge it under a paper or two carefully.

The dust still gets on Scourge's tongue, but it doesn't taste bad. Once finished stashing the wand, there's still that weird feeling.

Alptraum draws its tongue back in and tries inspecting itself again to see if it can get any idea what that sensation is. Of course it also remembers the High Priestess' quarters does have a mirror it can go check too. So, if it still can't find anything, off to those chambers next!

Nothing is apparent to Scourge's probing. Anyplace it pokes feels the same, so the weird sensation is everywhere, or else in the probing appendage.

So, off to the High Priestess' chambers where it can got a good look at itself. So back out, sneaking low and quiet. Good thing Scourge knows this place.

There is a lot of squeaking to be heard passing Otto's cell, but otherwise nobody interrupts the sneaking.

Chambers of the High Priestess
Unlike certain of her Sisters, Gorphat is not known for ostentation. The apartment within the Temple of Gorphat has its own bathroom, which sets it apart from the others, even if that just means there's a special closet for the chamber pot. It might also be slightly dryer, and have higher ceilings, but otherwise it has the same rough-hewn look combined with a bit of masonry to fill in the gaps - so long as it doesn't disturb the organic feel of the place.

A few turns and slinks, and soon Scourge has made it into the High Priestess room! Ugh, it's a mess. But it's always a mess, and there are disturbing stains everywhere; especially the floor. And Scourge knows exactly what all of that is from. It closes the door behind itself and then heads to the mirror to get a better look at itself.

The glowing parts show up the clearest, but nothing is glowing that isn't supposed to be glowing. The rest is smooth black hide.

Scourge turns around, hikes its tail high, and looks between its legs underneath to try and get a look at its hindquarters, just in case.

It's a weird pose, and one it's never tried before. Scourge has never looked here before, but nothing seems out of place (since nothing is what best describes that area).

Scourge shakes out its head. "What did she do?" Scourge wonders about this. So, it goes into shadow now to examine itself that way, instead.

The self-ken also doesn't seem to reveal any differences from the base template. So the odd sensation probably isn't anatomically related.

Scourge changes shape to see if the odd sensation follows. From the weird fungus dragon, to Nicora the High Priestess. Or well, at least tries to to see if it can, since it is in shadow.

The body is in flux, but the sensation doesn't seem to transfer to Nicora.. but with all the other weird sensations that form has it may be overwhelmed.

Nicora manages to get to her feet and examine herself in the mirror to check for anything odd, or off. "What did she do?" the diseased Eeee rasps.

Well, everything looks odd and off with Nicora, compared to any other Eeee. It isn't long before she starts oozing though.

Nicora remains for a bit; it's been a long time since she's well been Nicora. All the odd itches, feeling a bit clammy and almost slimy. Then the sudden abdominal pain when her weakened inner muscles give way and there's a drop of weight and groinal pressure when her pelvic floor gives and her uterus prolapses out between her thighs a good four inches. She staggers and braces herself on the wall a moment.

Bracing doesn't help much, as her legs begin to shake. She isn't going to be able to stand for much longer like this.

Nicora wobbles her way over to the rough bed and sits down on it before her legs give out. There she sits for a moment, still trying to puzzle out what the Goddess did. Should she just change to Alptraum and check there too?

Nicora also tries to push her, well, insides back up into her wound while she sits there.

There's a brief twinge of the oddness when pushing things back in, but nothing like what it was as Scourge.

Nicora's head tilts. She pushes her fingers in deeper and feels around. Given she has precious little muscle control down there anymore, the manages to fit her hand inside a bit while she explores. The stench that she pushes out while doing that is as vile as ever.

Nothing new there, as far as she can tell, but fingers are soon covered in goo.

Nicora pulls her hand out and grumbles a little. And worse, she actually licks the goo off her hand without even really thinking too much about it.

That causes sensations, but more along the lines of stomach paints than weird unidentified sensations.

Nicora goes back into shadow. This time she tries to just shift to Alptraum, to see if she can, and if that body feels any different.

Once the shadow withdraws, Alptraum experiences a sudden, painful arousal. It seems like his heart was moved into his groin is suffering some sort of attack.

"Augh!" goes Alptraum and he grabs at his crotch! Then he's looking at his crotch!

It's very much at attention, and the skin feels like it's both cold and also on fire.

"What did you do!?" Alptraum demands to know in the room. He's carefully poking at it and trying to examine it.

Poking does not help, as each poke seems to make it worse. There's also no response from the room.

Alptraum actually tries stroking it. "Gorphat," he says through clenched teeth, "What did you do to me?"

Still no reply, and stroking almost feels good, until it makes his balls start to ache as well.

Alptraum tries to stroke it more. Maybe triggering a release will cause it to stop swelling and aching so bad. He is keeping an eye on things down there though in case the swelling gets worse. And he also checks his balls for changes.

They look a bit swollen, actually, and release does not seem to be coming anytime soon.

Alptraum manages somehow to get to his feet. He remembers one of the Goddess' forms was in the main altar room. So, while hurting badly down below, and with things swaying. Well, he leaves the High Priestess' room and tries to waddle back to the Altar!

He luckily doesn't run into anyone along the way, which would be extra awkward. If this is a problem just for male forms though, there's always the option of becoming Scourge again until he consult with an expert. The only female form he's tried so far is Nicora, who is barely female at the moment.

"What did you do to me?" Alptraum asks, voice a bit higher and in pain. He's holding his crotch and is now somewhat bent over.

"I've giving you a Blessing of course," Gorphat's voice explains. "As a reward."

"It hurts," Alptraum pleads. "I can't function like this. What about Scourge the High Priestess? Was there nothing she could be given?"

"She has her own Blessings to receive," Gorphat explains. "This one is just for you to overcome."

"Is it all all my male forms?" ALptraum asks next as he leans on the altar. "What would appease you to ... ease this?"

Alptraum pushes himself up on the altar as best he can. Back into the shadow he dives quickly, and once there, he starts to shift back to Nicora again to see if it at least appeases Gorphat a little.

"Are you ready to advance to the next phase for this form?" Gorphat asks. "It will not change anything with your male form, however."

Once the shadow has passed and Nicora is sitting on the alar, then her lower bits resume their horrible prolapsing, she winces and hisses in pain. "Next ... phase?" she rasps worriedly.

Nicora takes several deep breaths, then swallows. This does not sound even remotely, well, good. And worse, it won't even help the male form! But one thing the High Priestess has discovered is that she can't refuse Gorphat. Well, ever. "Perfection?" the High Priestess asks. "Of course, if it would please you, Mother Gorphat," she ends up replying before she can even stop herself.

"Perfection beyond even Magog," Gorphat promises. "One that all will see, and know our glory. Proof that I can project Gephesa's comfort into a proper body."

Nicora has to pause to scratch one of her breasts a bit; nothing like having an itchy body. "I ... " she starts to say, then has to stop. "That is concerning, a little. I will have to keep faith that you are acting in the best interests of all."

"My interest is in the best interest of all," Gorphat claims. "It is my duty to step in and replace the vestiges of Inala's influence, so that my Sister can rest in peace, instead of slowly fading away."

"I was not aware Inala was going away," Nicora claims as she continues to scratch herself some. "She has seemed ... active, to me."

"Well, you are different, but any worshippers she retains must make do with private, household shrines, and those usually involve several deities. Inala is not like Dinala or Rinala, who take the Groks-share of fertility worship."

Nicora ahhhhs. "Is there anything you desire or wish of me while I am here, Mother Gorphat?" she asks. "It has been some time since I have been ... home, and in my favorite body. I could stay a little bit," she claims. And how she can claim it's her favorite body when a big part of her insides is currently hanging outside is anyone's guess.

Nicora tilts her head. "Of course, Mother Gorphat," she offers, "How may I serve and honor you? What step should I seek?"

"Await your attendants here," Gorphat says. "I shall set them their tasks while they yet sleep."

"Unless I shift, it would be difficult for me to walk any distance," Nicora admits as her clammy, sticky, body flushes greener a moment, "So I shall have to wait." She fiddles and pushes her womb back inside, along with a pained hiss and grit of her teeth given how much that hurts. Of course seconds later it just slips right back out between her thighs with a nasty squelch.

Somehow, having everything back inside feels uncomfortable, but not painful (as her muscles are basically useless down there to feel much more than discomfort). But as she waits, the first sounds she hears upon the threshold of the chamber are, "Did-a-chick?" and "Dud-a-chum!"

Nicora chuckles and looks about. "Ah, my children?" she coos a little as she does so.

Several Horribs scuttle into the chamber. Not base ones, but some of the more advanced breed created by the Horrib Queen.

Most people would be horrified of these things, but Nicora ... given she is the 'parent' of some that live here, lifts a hand and waves to them instead. "Good day to you, beautiful children of Gorphat," she coos at them. "I am pleased to see that you are healthy and well."

The creatures burble and click their odd vocabulary as the begin to climb the walls, taking up positions hanging from the ceiling and clinging to the middle-height as well.

Nicora peers about, watching them move and position. "What are you doing?" she asks of them as she has to shift around (complete with the pain of doing so if she moves too much) to look at them.

The answer of course comes in a cacophony of 'did', 'dud', 'chick' and 'chum', such that Nicora can't tell if she's hearing them live or if the echoes are just overlapping somehow.

Nicora's ears splay a little (and the tendrils on her head undulate). "Mmm, I cannot understand you, bot I helped you come to be, and love all of you," she claims, and also thinks a little of Hosheb. That makes her shiver oddly, and almost feel aroused. Though that sort of feeling in this body is a bit messed up, odd, and slightly crampy.

Soon she hears another familiar sound: the rattle and thud of a bucket banging against a leg, which precedes Otto. Nicora has to wonder if anyone else actually knows or uses his name, or if he's just known as Bucket Man. He does enter looking a bit sleepy though, but as usual he doesn't say anything.

"Good morning, handsome," Nicora claims. She leans, reaches out, and traces her sticky fingers along his cheek. "I am not particularly effluous right now, but you are always welcome," she rasps.

"Urr," Otto blinks. "Gotta do dis t'ing though," he replies and begins removing things from his bucket, which include an ugly candle clearly made from the remains of many other candles just squished together.. and a sulfur match. There also bottles and rags in the bucket, which he pulls and sets aside so that he turn the bucket over and rest the candle atop its bottom. The bucket as clearly experienced things that would drive mortals to madness, given the collection of various forms of gunk on its bottom.

"Do which thing, faithful one?" Nicora asks of him, and even lifts one of her legs and runs it along the inside of his right leg. Of course that movement makes Nicora make other noises as she releases some air from between her legs; both entries. The smell is about as bad as the bottom look of that bucket.

Otto still doesn't look quite awake, twitching his whiskers at the clammy touch. "Ung.. gots to do next ting too," the big formerly broken rat notes, a bit distractedly. "B'hind you."

"Nn.. noo.." Otto says uncertainly, looking to where the hoshim have arrayed themselves. "I go behind you. You wanna stand or sit?"

"Ya, dat good," Otto asks as he moves behind her on the left side of the bed. "Try to stick to bed," he advises.

Otto gently unfolds Nicora's pale left wing. He holds the wrist up so that the hoshim on the ceiling can grab hold of the thumb, and then quickly tugs the outer finger over the hoshim that's only half-way up the wall to grab onto.

Nicora's eyes narrow. "What are you doing?" she asks, starting to feel a little, well, worried. It's not like she uses her wings anymore, but it's still worrying for a bat! Her wing does twitch once as instinct is to try and pull it back, but she forces herself to stop that.

"Hangin' up yer wings," Otto explains, which is literally what he's doing, as if hanging up sheets on a clothesline. He heads around the bed to get to Nicora's right side.

"Okay..." Nicora says, not quite sure why, unless it's to just keep them out of the way. At least with her right side one she's able to keep it from twitching while it's manipulated.

Otto does this wing from Nicora's front side, so that he doesn't get stuck behind the room-spanning curtain of thin, pale skin. The lighting isn't anything to boast about in the chamber, but it's still possible to make out the shapes of nearby objects through the vanes.

"This makes me feel huge," the horribly bloated Eeee jokes. Nevermind her bloated gut and water-retaining legs.

"You actually pretty small," Otto assures her after the last hoshib has a grip on Nicora's right-most finger. Then the rat goes back to check on the unlit candle. "Now gotta wait," he says.

Nicora's bared brow does a bit of a dance as she waits, wonders, and well, worries. Gorphat is all about the three W's. "What are we waiting on?" she asks.

A scream echoes it's way up the outer corridor: "AAAGH STOP WIGGLING OWWW! NO BITING Y'HORRID LITTLE JAR DEMON!"

That makes Nicora laugh, then break into coughing. "Ah, the skreek, Crabs," she says wetly and wipes at her drooling mouth. "I do not remember a jar demon, though," she admits.

"I'll try t' listen for 'em den," Otto says, pinching in own ears. He certainly can't miss hearing, "Otto, help me damn ye, it's going for my throat!" from outside. So the big Skreek stands up, then saunters out of Nicora's private chambers.

This creature is starting to worry Nicora. She looks back and up at those holding her wings, frowns. Back she looks to the door and calls out, "What are you two doing out there?" she growls.

There are sounds of a struggle, and a high-pitched squeak of pain from Crabs, but eventually Otto returns holding the head of something firmly in one hand, while the armored serpentine body of the creature wraps around his other arm and neck, though it isn't clear if it's a separate part of the thing's body from the part coiled around his arm. Crabs limps in after him holding a thick looking sack that apparently was not thick enough.

"Why do we have that creature?" Nicora asks, "And for that matter, why bring it in here?" Now she tries to pull her wings back.

"I were compelled," the bruised Skreek notes. Crabs' voice is still a bit higher than usual, and the whiskers on the right side of his nose are only half as long as those on his right. "I'm.. I'm gonna find somethin' better to carry it in.." he then says, excusing himself so he can limp out. Otto goes, "Hrrm. Did s'posed to need two. Will wait for him to get back." He doesn't seem bothered by the creature trying to strangle his thick neck.

"Bring that thing a bit closer," Nicora requests. Mostly so she can get a better look at it.

"It whip Crabs in his balls," Otto warns as he brings it closer, the head of the thing still hidden in the rat's clenched hand. It isn't clear if it's an insect or an animal, or how many tails or body sections it might have, given how tangled it is.. but there are at least two tail-tips that Nicora can see, and they don't end in stingers. Overall, it is a mottled black and green and smells of the same fluid that creepers are kept in.

"I do not know what that is," Nicora admits, frowns. She resists touching it; must be one of the old Tower experiments from ages past.

"It a jar demon, 'cording to Crabs," Otto says. "So.. prolly from a jar. But dis thing is really earnest about bein' angry, so I tink it must have come from an urn."

Nicora rubs her face. "Ugh," she mutters, "That was bad. You can take it back from whereever it came from, though."

"Ya, after de ritual," Otto agrees. There's another odd, hollow noise from the corridor now, getting closer.

"Care to explain this ritual?" Nicora asks, and her ears alert to that odd sound. They start trying to track it and make out what is is. Another of these things?

There are muffled curses that accompany the hollow sound. It seems that someone is trying to roll something up the uneven floor of the corridor. "It a ritual," Otto explains. After a moment of thought, he adds, "For the High Priestess."

"You are obnoxiously obtuse," Nicora growls at Otto. She almost says more, but stops herself and just pinches the bridge of her waxy snout instead.

"T'anks, High Priestess!" Otto says, puffing up proudly. Shortly thereafter, a panting Crabs rolls in a moderately large cooking cauldron, and he has the lid tied to his back. He bends over, hands on knees, while trying to catch his breath.

Otto looks at his fellow Skreek, and suggests, "Mebbe you shoul' handle the candle and I will do de demon part."

"Problem, Rat?" Nicora inquires of Crabs. "Maybe I should ask Gorpbat to bless you with something that makes you quicker...?"

"Is dis pot blessed?" the smaller rat wheezes. Then he notices the candle. "S'long as I don't have to blow it out, I kin handle the candle," he claims. Then asks Otto, "I don't know what the candle is for. Or de monster."

"Or you can put all of this away," Nicora suggests. "Since you are not prepared."

Otto changes his grip, so the head is visible. It looks reminiscent of a Gooshurm, but instead of three-part jaw it has two-part one made of sharp chitin or bone, and a bizarre collection of green, gem-like eyes of different sizes located randomly around the bulbous head. It snaps and hisses angrily. "It easy," Otto tells Crabs. "Light candle, den use flame on spots dat leak while monster cuts. It gotta be close to de bone, because it can't leave no tatters, right? Very important that dere not be no tatters."

"What, what? Oh no, nu-uh!" Nicora barks as she sees the head of that thing, and hears the description ... and then has a very bad feeling what they're going to do with that thing and why she's so, uh spread. Now she's really trying to pull her wings back!

Crabs manages to light the match, and gets the candle lit. The smoke from smells awful.

Nicora sort of barks! The stings hit and flare, then feels her back get really heavy when the muscles quit working. "I can't walk, now you're ensuring I can't fly?" she asks the room (and probably Gorphat). Granted she couldn't fly anyway, she's too bloated and off-balance anyway, and the dangle between her legs hurts way too much when it ... flops.

"I 'unno," Otto says. He's tall enough to start on the smallest of the vanes near the thumb joint, and starts clipping with the nibble-demon. Flecks of green blood fall directly onto Crabs as tries to follow. While paralyzed, they wings aren't numb to pain (because Horribs are horrible for a reason). Otto makes sure there aren't any tears or tatters, lest Sunala take notice. Crabs has to step on the bucket to reach, applying the flame to cauterize the finger edges once Otto makes way for him.

Yep, pain's all still there in all its burning agony! Soon Nicora is crying out too, in several languages. Probably so those she's saying horrible things about won't be able to understand her. She also has to wonder why they needed two for this, but she's crying too much to actually be able to verbalize that in any coherent way. The skin isn't thick, but it IS sensitive.

The need for two attendants becomes clear, as Otto needs both to handle the monster, and move away at points so the tail-whips can't get to Nicora. Crabs is just trying to keep up with the cauterizing, although the foot he steps onto the bucket with may need treatment at some point, especially if there are splinters. The little flecks of green seem to be appreciated by the flora of the chamber, however.

Nicora isn't even sure how far, or fast it is moving. It hurts too much and she's crying out, and trying to not look. Though there is a point the poor bat actually does dare to look through tear-blurred eyes.

The left wing, where they started, is looking half-skeletal. The vanes between the thumb, first and second fingers are gone now, making for a very odd look, but at least the monster isn't being used to remove the fingers themselves. Otto is going back over one spot where the creature didn't cut close enough, and there are plenty swollen and burnt spots where it clearly bit the finger or cut too close. "Dis is awful," Crabs complains. "Done worse," Otto counters.

"You have not. I agree, this is awful," Nicora sobs. "You should stop!" She'd day more, but has a sudden coughing fit when she realizes it'll hurt worse when paralysis wears off!

"Next bit tricky," Otto says, as he starts on the next larger vane. The 'tricky' part is stopping at the first knuckle, the trying to go straight across tot he matching knuckle on the next finger.

This surprises Nicora. She was sure they were going to remove all of it ... but they're not? It's enough of a shock she actually stops sobbing for the moment, and ends up blinking instead, and looking both confused and relieved.

It still hurts of course, especially the cauterization long the vane edge. Then, for the vane between the third and fourth finger, Otto cuts across one knuckle from the finger tips, giving a stepped look.

The oddness of it is enough to overcome the pain a bit longer as Nicora watches, head tilted, and horrified, as that wing is mutilated into something grotesaque and horrifying-looking. Like a monster out of a Babel fable.

Otto moves over to the right wing next. The pattern the left is odd (since it would look more even if the cut had been diagonal instead). It makes the wing look like a partially assembled box-kite frame, with the main span from the inner finger to her back being the only one unmutilated.

"You don't have to do the other one," Nicora requests, voice raspy and weaky. She wipes at her eyes a few times and coughs.

"Oh, you sure?" Otto asks. Is he eyeing her ears? "Pretty sure I s'posed to do both sides," he notes, pointing to the hoshim holding the other wing. "Hoshim seem pretty determined.."

Nicora whimpers and folds her ears down. "Continue," she whimpers out, then swallows. She looks at those large sheets of skin, then asks, "What are you doing with that?"

"Gettin' off of de floor, Crabs says, as he places them on the Skedat-chair tail.

The right wing gets the same odd 'staggered' cut pattern, while Crab's head is getting dyed green from the flecks of blood. The paralysis is wearing off though, before Otto gets to the final vane.

Which means the horrible pain is now even worse. So, Nicora ends up wailing and shuddering again as the final large swath of skin is slowly cut away! It hasn't even hit her the second creature hasn't been used at all.

The final cut is cauterized, and Crabs blows out the candle as he hurries to get the pot set up. It's about then that Nicora notices that Otto's left arm (which the monster is coiled around, along with his neck) is looking a bit purple. "Keep hold of the head!" Crabs says as tries to pull back the coils from Otto's arm.

Nicora is wheezing in pain as she watches this debacle. Part of her wants them both to suffer for what they did. The other part is, well, just trying to deal with being mutilated! Granted, her wings were useless anyway; Nicora hasn't flown herself in a long time now. Nor could she, realistically. They were just ... weight. Not that she thought of them as such!

The two men eventually free Otto's arm, after Crabs resorts to strategic biting. That's when it's clear the thing has three tails, and one of them has some sort of band on it near where they all split off. Otto is still holding the head, and his left arm is useless at the moment, leaving Crabs to try and wrestle the multi-coiled menace into the pot.

"Are you okay, Otto?" Nicora rasps out as she stares at that dangling, limp, left arm. Her own issues are for a few seconds at least forgotten or 'set aside'.

"It waking up," Otto says, and wiggles the fingers. "We need a hood for this thing," Crabs complains as he tries to keep the coils he's managed to get into the pot to stay in the pot. "Dis thing weirder den the creepers!"

"Why do we even have that?" Nicora has to ask, the hurt is so diffused, and so bad at the same time. "Is that the only one we actually had?"

"Praise Gorphat, yes it's the only one, so long as that band on de center trunk stay put, otherwise the udder two will be fertilizin' it and spitting out more of the horrors," Crabs assures.

Nicora's eyes go wide. "Do not remove that band!" she hisses, leans forward, then wishes she hadn't as pain lances through what is left of her wings.

"I tink it's for doing sumthin' called 'progressive castration', but castration dun sound very progressive t' me," Crabs grumbles.

"Should I try it on you to be sure?" Nicora threatens. Yeah, she might still be a bit mad.

"Yeah, some sorta worm would make more sense," Otto says, his voice developing an edge as the pins-and-needles are probably getting much worse for his arm. "With like teeth all inside with acid venom. An it starts at the tip and just moves along real slow."

Nicora gives Otto a strange look. "That is a disturbing thought. Never have it again," she mutters. She actually does try to flex and move what's left of her wings a little.

The Hoshim let go, but this causes the wings to nearly flop to the ground, and flexing is very strange, as the outer digits are no longer limited by the maximum about of stretch that the vanes could manage.

Balance is completely wrong. Nicora struggles to get then up and, well, folded without further discomfort or problems. She feels both lighter and really off-balance now. Trying to walk might be even harder for a bit. "You could have just given me huge breasts again, all swollen and in pain as they leaked," the depressed semi-wingless Eeee thinks in frustration.

The burned vanes are definitely less stretchy that before, at least until they heal.

"That is the next step in the process," Gorphat whispers. There's a clang, as Crabs gets the cauldron lid on, and sits on it. "I'm glad this thing is too thick to crack when rolling," he says, only to have Otto ask, "How you get back to archive if you gotta sit onnit?"

"He'll have you carry the pot, and him, back to the archive," Nicora points out, glumly.

"Alright," Otto says, flexing his arm to keep the old blood moving out of it. "You got a thick stick? Can stick it in cauldron, thingy wrap itself around dat, stick it in jar before stick breaks?"

"Dammit Otto, stop makin' me look stupid in front of the HP," Crabs hisses to Otto.

That makes Nicora smirk, at least. "You're both fine. You are dismissed to ... deal with that thing," she says and waves her left hand a little. Trying to regain some composure, really.

Otto drags the cauldron out, with Crabs sitting on the cover and clinging onto the lip for dear life, given what the most likely target would be for the monster if the lid slips.

Nicora rubs her face and forehead a bit. She sits, just trying to deal with the aching for the moment while she ponders if she should shift and flee, or try to do more while she is here, somehow. Or find a way to soothe her wings. She's also back to scratching; this time her backside; those stupid worms back there really itch.

The scratching may be stimulating the tapeworms. The only other worms that have been up there are the ones from the slime pool.

Nicora mmphs. She hasn't been in the slime pool in ages, nor has she let the worms ... enter her in various ways. Could they help with the itch? Maybe? She'd need help with that, though. Keeping things open back there isn't easy, the instinct is to clench. She could get a horrib to sting her, maybe, but ... no. So, she gets an idea and tries to get her walking 'chair' to come over so she can slide herself onto it carefully.

The flaps of skin from her wings are still hanging from the sides of the upraised tail of the skedat as it trundles over to Nicora's feet.

Nicora moves those horrors onto her bed first. Then she gets up long enough to try and shift herself over to that walking thing. Ugh, standing for any length of time really makes her ache between her thighs from all the rubbing and pressure on flesh that should not be outside. So, getting onto that char thing quickly is ... good.

The chair shifts around until it doesn't seem likely that Nicora is going to falls off, then scuttles out to the corridor.. where it stops. That seems to be as far as it can go without direction.

Nicora tries to direct the chair to the more medical areas of the Temple. The old exam rooms mainly so she can check to see what sort of helpful tools might still be around for helping, er, hold things open.

After checking a few rooms, Nicora comes across some possibly useful devices. One is some sort of speculum, while the other might be a rib-spreader. With some twine, she might be able to Kavi them together into something that will do the job.

So, Nicora spends a bit of time looking for some old suture thread or the like that miiight work. Failing that, she still has other issues to deal with in her, uh, guy forms. Which means going to see ... ack, Mave.

There's something that looks like sausage-casing that can probably be twisted into something sturdy enough to tie things together with.

Nicora now goes about trying to direct the weird chair thing further into the Temple, the more disused and even worst-smelling locations. Namely the disgusting slime pit (which if you can bear the smell actually feels pretty good to relax in!). On the way when she can, she sees about trying to twist those old casings into something that resembles twine.

It's a familiar path, just one Nicora hasn't taken while trying not to slip off a mutant Skedat while also oozing through her bandages to make it all even slippier. But eventually she reaches the sacred pool without falling off her mount.

Nicora gets the chair to sit, and there she works more on the casing with a bit more focus, to see if she can get it to work as twine, and if she cna couple it with the spreader thing to make, well, something disturbing. If she wants to get the tape worm count down, there needs to be, uh, 'easy access'.

The casing is almost certainly the intestine of something, but it's fairly elastic too. The trick is getting the speculum tongs tied to the rib-spreader tongs (which are a bit shorter and wider). It's a bit like playing Khatta's Cradle. She manages to get a configuration that probably won't snap apart while she's trying to use it.

Nicora has to pause and wonder about her own sanity for this, and why she's even doing it. But good lord, that itching is probably driving her a bit crazier than normal and if it helps lessen it for a while, well, that's a win. Providing she doesn't do harm to herself in the process. The mutilated Eeee shakes her head, deciding now or never. Then gets off the chair. She waddle-walks while hissing in pain slowly down into the pool until she's aboud mid-chest deep and just waits there fore a moment, trying to get her courage up ... as well as try to relax things.

She probably could have gotten an acolyte to help with this, if they had some sort of snorkel so they could breath while holding her open.

That would mean explaining things, and she's already fairly convinced she's both an idiot, and insane. Still, she'll give it a try. And if it doesn't work ... just other plans have to be made later. So, while trying to relax, she also reaches around and tries to work the thinner end of the cobbled together tool, well .. slowly into Gorphat's Mouth.

Getting it in isn't a problem, so much as holding it in place while trying to operate the screws on the spreader.

Which may be due to muscle issues due to all her various conditions; she just lacks the tighter control of well, most everyone else. Once she thinks she has it in place she slowly tries to work the tool, while wincing and hissing a lot during. Weaker muscles doesn't mean it hurts any less.

It doesn't help that the worms are getting in the way as the cluster around the location and the activity before things are where Nicora wants them to be. They keep jostling around until the speculum finally makes contact with the walls of her rectum.

And then it's trying to work the screws open, slowly, to see if she can get things to, well, be held open for a bit, and enough for the pool dwellers. Nicora is whimpering and crying again, feeling utterly mortified about her 'fate'.

Once things feel like the apparatus isn't going to fall out, something else entirely different happens: something brushes against Nicora's leg. Something that feels almost like a leg itself.

Nicora's ears shoot up! "What was that?!" she squeaks out. She has to keep one hand on the weird tool, and the other is frantically searching around the pool near her for whatever that was!

The frantic sweeping of limbs through the slime results in another contact. It doesn't feel quite as squishy as a worm would, however.

Nicora, now almost panicking, tries to see if she can get to to surface to see what the heck it is!

A wake breaks the surface, but soon fades into due to the thickness of the ooze. And there's another sliding contact, this tail against Nicora's hip.

Nicora sort of forgets the tool and tries to waddle her way backwards and out of that pool quickly instead. She's cursing enough to make a sailor blush as she goes, too!

Something blocks her backward progress. It does this by penetrating the previously spread orifice before it can regain its normal shape. And it isn't clear just what it is. There's a bit of raspiness to it, and it keeps expanding and contracting in waves as it pushes deeper. It isn't like Blarf, certainly.

This makes Nicora sort of bark out weirdly and flail like mad! Soon she's reaching backwards and trying to grab whatever that is and pull it out before it can get too far inside her!

Bending over backwards to reach is much harder, since the thing is now supporting all her weight instead the slime. She nearly gets a grip on it, but then it.. fills her with something. It might be a fluid, or slime or.. dozens of rapidly moving tongues.

Wide-eyed, she's rather, ah, freaking out as she flails and frantically pulls at what is now inside her. Well, up to the point she feels things change even more and soon she's feeling her own lower gut. "Get out, get out, get out," she starts squeaking like mad.

The thing sucks back in whatever it first expelled, and then extends it again. There are pulsations along its length each time, and raspy protrusions keep it locked in place. And while it makes Nicora feel a bit like a finger puppet, something else brushes against her submerged belly as well. With each in-and-out sensation, the 'in' phase gets deeper each time.

Nicora finds she can't get the thing out and apparently just has to 'take it'. Whatever it happens to be. So, it ends up making her squirming on the end of whatever it is, with each push in deeper making her grunt out loud. She starts to worry how deep the thing is going to go! And frankly, if her poor backside will close when or if it comes out. She barks again though when something else touches her lower belly.

It does reach a limit as far as physical penetration, but whatever it spits out is able to get much further. The second something is a bit thicker, but the rubbing and other flailing up to that point means the bandages that were holding Nicora's womb from wandering have given way, and she's beginning to fall out again.

Nicora is panicking more as she reaches down to try and hold herself, well, in. "No no no no no," she whimpers.

It's not just her hands down there, but the second creature or appendage is getting in the way, and this one seems to open up instead of trying to sneak inside.

And before Nicora can get to herself, something else got to her .. and she's slipping part of herself inside of it thanks to gravity. She tries to work her fingers into the edge and pull it off!

Slurp. It sucks both Nicora's hand and her prolapse into some sort of stretchy tubular maw, and then the tongues go to work on every available inner and outer surface available. Including Nicora's captured fingers. This time she can tell the surge of stuff is a myriad of weird tendrils that seem to branch out.. and out and out, like a growing tree.. before pulling back in with whatever stuck to them.

Okay, Nicora pulls her fingers out, but this is because now she's just flailing comedically as whatever this creature is has its way with her. Hopefully it lets go, but for now the freakish bat is now looking like a tortured madwoman begging the Gods as she's violated in unexpected ways.

She certainly never went swerving through the pool like this before either. The size of the creature brings up a disturbing thought: is there some sort of worm queen down there? And just what sort of openings are there to allow something this big to reach into the pool?

And if Nicora will ever use this pool again! She's trying to somehow push her way to one of the sides to grab onto the pool edge! She also starts worrying about .... sure it's pushing tongues in, but will it leave things inside her when she's done? The small works did once, after all; what the heck does this thing do?

The answer comes when the first one withdraws, followed soon after by the second one. For that moment, Nicora feels actually clean inside (and somewhat outside) those areas that are 'normally' fouled or oozing in some way. Then the regular worms return and start nosing around.

Nicora holds perfectly still, waiting to see what the other worms actually do. "Is it done?" she whimpers.

The regular worms begin to lose interest, and soon are just moving around her normally.

Nicora waddles her way out of the pool, using one hand to cradle her prolapsed womb so it doesn't move too much. Once out, she's soon checking to see if her poor backside is okay, and managed to, well, close.

It's looking rather.. puckered, in more of a swollen sense. But it's not leaking any blood, at least.

Nicora breathes out, thankful she seems to be ... intact. Next she checks out her, well, wound, and it's protruding internals. When that thing sucked, it didn't pull things out even further, she hopes.

There's some inflammation, but which makes it all look tighter than usual, but it's not like it could be pulled out further.

Nicora also checks to see if the ooze is already starting up again, or if that creature somehow cured that particular 'blessing', that she willingly took from Magog for herself in a fit of idiocy.

Even with the inflammation, the 'clean' look is soon marred as the ooze glands begin to recover once more (which may just be due to being exposed to air again).

Nicora almost pouts for a moment. One of her blessings might have been solved, but alas no. At least her backside feels lot less itchy (now just really sore, though). So, it's waddling back to her weird chair so she can sit back down and slowly guide it back to her chambers.