After escaping the Laughing Chibix, Alptraum was able to take the time for a full 'cocoon' transformation with the shadow. This leaves him in his normal form for at least an hour before things begin to slide back towards female (so long as he avoids male Skeeks). But it hardly takes any of that time to reach the Mages Tower. As usual there are two guards at the flyers landing. The dawn shift guards are both younger ones, but at least one of them recognizes him immediately and salutes. The other guard, a Khatta, blinks and then salutes as well.
"I'm here to claim your soles. Hand over your shoes," Alptraum quips after the landing and the odd salute from the guards on duty.
"I knew they smelled dead," the Eeee guard replies with a grin. "Here for business or the breakfast buffet?"
"Business. I have updates on the victims of the Royal Mages. Two more were identified successfully," Alptraum answers, amused with the reply and returning that grin. "So those two can be treated now and their memories recovered safely."
The Khatta looks lost, so may be new. He doesn't stop the local guard from opening the door for Alptraum though. "Think we'll ever be fully rid of the taint of those mages?"
"Hopefully," Alptraum says as he heads forward to enter the Tower, "They were around a long time, though, so there's plenty to unravel, alas." He pauses a t the door, and has to ask, "What is the breakfast buffet, by the way?"
"Biggest meal of the day here," the guard says. "All sorts of stuff, even meat. Great sausages. Magic must be good exercise, given the amount these guys can put away."
"Ahh, well, that would be lost on me. My dietary needs are different," Alptraum admits.
"Damned souls?" the guard asks, but still winks.
"Almost!" Alptraum counters, trying to look serious as he does. He waves and continues onward to let the other guard wonder.
The secretary today is the Rhian mare, who has two large mugs of Mateh on the desk with her, and a plate of pastries. "Oh, welcome back Mr. Sunala," she greets. "Here to see Mage Rostre or Cyprian?"
Alptraum hmms. "Cyprian, since he is the one overseeing the issues around the Royal Mages," he answers. Though seeing the Trilby might work too; but, well, mouse.
"We just got this installed, first time trying it!" the mare says, and leans down speak into a curved cone. "THE BARSUNALA IS HERE TO SEE MAGE CYPRIAN," she says rather loudly. Then she pulls a lever and a chibix flies out of a hidden compartment, flits about madly, then heads in the direction of the cafeteria, based on the yells that come soon after. "Hmmm," the secretary says of the result. Then she just rings a bell until a novice appears and takes the same message in a normal tone of voice before dashing off.
Alptraum rubs his face. "That seems to be a less than useful device. Let me guess, the salesperson was really charismatic?" he has to ask the secretary after that colossal failure of message transport.
"Well, the hope was to avoid having to send pages into dangerous areas," the mare explains. "And training the chibix was part of a student project."
"So you want to endanger our tiny bretheren, instead?" Alptraum asks regarding the chibix. Stil, he's smirking a bit. "I bet the project was fun to do, failure or no."
A moment later the novice returns. "He can see you, Sir," the young Eeee says nervously. He's got the robes of a Fire Mage, so not one of Cyprian's own assistants.
"It didn't go after my food, so I'm calling it a successful first trial," the mare says.
"You're big and scary," Alptraum points out.
"But I don't eat chibix," the mare points out while the novice waits.
"Right, you just eat novices on the nights you turn into a nightmare," Alptraum jokes before he looks to the novice. "Right, I need to see Mage Cyprian, if that is okay."
"He's probably had his Mateh so should be safe to approach," the mare says encouragingly.
"He's always safe to approach," Alptraum points out.
"Tea ma'am," the novice says. "He's drinking tea." Then he bows to Alptraum and gestures for him to follow (although it's unlikely that Cyprian's office has moved recently).
Alptraum follows along. "So, how tasty are you?" he asks the novice ... innocently.
"I haven't had a bath in awhile," the student claims after looking momentarily frightened. But training as a Fire Mage probably 'burns out' a lot of fear. They stop at the door to the office, and then the boy knocks and then opens the door without waiting for a reply.
"Not bathing just helps make things more spicy," Alptraum claims while smiling at the novice, with fangs. Apparently it's scare children day.
"I haven't learned the self-cooking magic yet," the boy claims, trying not to look at Alptraum's fangs. From inside, Cyprian says, "Please refrain from traumatizing the children, Alptraum. That's our job."
"Aw. That takes the fun out of living," Alptraum complains. "It's rare anyone is actually afraid of me."
"Is it because once they fear you, it's already too late?" Cyprian asks, and gestures for Alptraum to come take one of the seats before his desk. The curtains are open in the large windows, giving a good view of the city as the sun begins to hit the tops of the towers. "Tea?" he offers.
"Usually, yes, that's how it tends to work. I'm to disarming, until they have no arms," Alptraum quips as he enters and has to resist the urge to sashay to the offered chair. So, he plops his butt down. "I shouldn't be here too long, I don't think. I just wanted to pass along that two of the victims were identified. The two large khattah. They were guards from Adu Dhabi for a prominent merchant and have clean backgrounds. Once they've got their memories back, they should be able to identify their employer from the remaining victims, and we'll know he is safe too."
"That would certainly speed things up," Cyprian says. "Rostre has supposedly 'perfected' her latest spirit snares, in case of any hidden surprises. We'll still have to handle them one at a time, but can start once preparations are complete, and those should take less than a day."
"I wouldn't expect you to try to recover them more than one at a time just in case of risks anyway," Alptraum points out. "Even just one of them can identify their employer and we'll effectively then have two more instead of just one more to work with, which helps. Do you want them sent here, or will you send people to collect them?"
"For security, they should be sent here if possible," Cyprian says after taking a sip of tea. "For the time being, I prefer not having those in the tower know of their location. Can you arrange for a trusted third party to handle the escort, like your friend Tulani?"
"Should be able to," Alptraum agrees. "I imagine Tulani would be less distracting too, instead of say, the Shrine Maiden."
"I'm sure the Shrine Maiden can hold her own in a fight," Cyprian says with a raised eyebrow. "But Tulani can carry messages more swiftly if necessary."
"True, but you don't like her in the same way," Alptraum teases, then shrugs. "I'm sure I can get Tulani to act as escort."
"We could also use the Shrine Maiden in the ritual itself, of course," Cyprian claims.
"That might mean there are too many cute girls around, though, and distract the mages," Alptraum claims.
"By cute girls are you referring to Mages Rostre and Trilby?" Cyprian asks.
"They're not particularly cute," Alptraum points out.
"So just the Shrine Maiden then?" Cyprian asks while watching Alptraum over the lip of his tea cup.
"She's cute, yes," Alptraum replies and arches his own brow. "And yes, I would like some tea."
Cyprian sets his cup down and goes to the sideboard to prepare a fresh one for Alptraum. "Do you take honey? I tend to use too much, myself."
"Honey is fine," Alptraum answers as he stares at Cyprian's butt for far too long. He blinks, then forces himself to look away to try and get the weird urges to pass. Ugh. The Goddesses are so frustrating sometimes.
It seems longer than the minute or so it actually takes, then Cyprian is handing over the cup. "Any new supernatural threats we should be on alert for?" he asks after sitting back down.
Alptraum accepts the cup and soon sips on the tea for the distraction. "Nothing you would need to deal with. I've got some issues I'm sorting out with the Goddesses, which I recommend you stay far, far, away from," he claims.
"I didn't realize they were still active enough to have issues," Cyprian admits. "But I suppose for you they would be."
"They're active with me. Currently dealing with Inala and her eccentricities," Alptraum claims, shrugs.
"So she's still around then?" Cyprian asks. "Other than the Shrine Maiden, I assumed the old temple was abandoned."
"Inala is still around. She's currently messing with me because I think it amuses her," Alptraum admits. "So, be grateful you are not me!"
"I am sure there are any number of people who would volunteer to be 'messed with' by Inala," Cyprian chuckles. "If Tulani can bring the first Khatta here tomorrow morning we'll be ready."
"That should be doable. I'll just need to go locate her and let her know," Alptraum agrees, nods, then sips. He can tell already his chest feels a bit funky, so hurray for a baggy shirt.
The tea is sweeter than he's used to, since he doesn't often have access to honey. Although it's possible the horribs have a way of making it. "Do you need to see anyone else while you're here?" Cyprian asks.
"I should probably let Trilby know about the khattah too, just so she can be ready for anything," Alptraum answers diplomatically. He suddenly remembered another reason he needed to speak with her.
"She's probably awake, since the Mateh has been freshly brewed," Cyprian says. "How's the tea?"
"Very sweet," Alptraum admits. He holds the cup out and peers a bit at it. "It's actually not bad. I'm not used to sweet drinks."
"A peculiar vice of mine," Cyprian says. "I don't care for bitter things."
"Then why do you hang out with me?" Alptraum jokes.
"You're still sweet compared to most other mages of my sphere," Cyprian claims. "Although they are more sour than bitter, on the whole."
Alptraum was not expecting that answer, so looks a bit lost for a moment. "Anyway! I should probably see to Trilby, I'm sure you have too much to do today as always," Alptraum says.
"Now she is bitter," Cyprian says. "Good luck!"
"She's a lot of things," Alptraum says as he gets up. Quickly, he downs the remainder of the tea and sets the empty cup on Cyprian's desk, then heads to the door. "I'll try not to blow up the infirmary," he quips.
The novice is still waiting outside, and jerks to attention when the door opens. "Ah, that was fast," he notes to Alptraum.
"Do you want me to go back in and take more time?" Alptraum asks.
"Maybe I got a bit hungry," Alptraum suggests to the Novice and smiles fangily again. "I need to stop by Mage Trilby's infirmary too briefly."
"Are you contagious?" the boy asks, taking a half-step back.
"I'm perfectly healthy," Alptraum says, a bit affronted by that comment!
"Why would you want to see the doctor then?" the boy asks, hands wringing. "She's.. scary."
"I need to borrow some of her stuff," Alptraum answers. "It helps for treating certain ... conditions."
"You need to torture someone, then," the boy says, looking slightly relieved. So he leads the way! There's still some commotion in the cafeteria as they pass, due to the chibix-caused chaos from earlier. "They had prune tartlets this morning," the novice informs Alptraum, and sticks his tongue out a bit (which for an Eeee is more than a bit than for other species).
"Very purple," Alptraum agrees. He doesn't mention all the diseases that can also cause that; thank you library at Gorphat's temple for that nightmare fuel. "And I don't generally torture people. What I intend to borrow is to help people in ... er, painful ways. That they enjoy,"
"Like tickling?" the boy asks as the head down the stairs to the infirmary. The smell of mateh gets stronger as the get closer.
"Sort of," Alptraum vaguely agrees. Soon he's ... sniffing.
The infirmary is mostly quiet, save for the gurgling of lab equipment. There's also the scent of pastries, but none in sight, and just one assistant monitoring the distillation of whatever they're making.
While he's here, he also decides to go check on Wynona and totally not do anything to embarrass her before he bothers Trilby.
The novice remains outside, and the assistant is focussed on their task (and some Babelite honey-coated beetles). There's only one patient nook with closed curtains, so it doesn't look like Wynona has been moved.
Alptraum tries to sneak over quietly and peer slightly behind the curtain to see if Wynona is still there or not.
She's still there, sitting up and nibbling on pastry. She's wearing gloves with magic circles on them, and her forearms are also wrapped in enchanted bandages. She doesn't seem to notice Alptraum yet, because she's got her eyes closed in a blissful expression, with her cheeks full of pastry.
"Oh nooooo," hisses Alptraum as he peers, "You're looking a bit too ... pastry today! Have you been spending too much time in the dessert?"
The woman opens her eyes and nearly chokes trying to swallow what's in her mouth. "Gah!" she finally blurts.
"You're supposed to be resting, not making these sudden outbursts," Alptraum says; with still just his eyes peering past the curtain. He's so helpful!
After getting her voice back, Wynona says, "They don't have food like this at the Temple, you know."
"Depends on the temple," Alptraum points out and looks through a bit more. "Rephath's temple has much better food than Gorphat's temple, say. Anyway, how are you doing?"
Wynona sets down her pastry on to the plate in her lap. Then she wiggles her fingers. "Better," she says. "I can feel things with my fingers again, and I don't feel like things are going to snap in my forearms. Haven't tried any magic yet though, doctor's orders."
Alptraum slips past the curtain and sits on the edge of the bed. "Good. I was pretty worried. You have no idea how bad your arms actually were," he admits to her. "It took a lot to repair them to the point that Trilby could do the finer detail work that I couldn't do. I honestly wasn't sure you'd recover the use of them."
"I'm going to have scars under the fur," Wynona says, with a mixed tone. "That's good for a Yodhrephath, and they look like lightning tracks. So it isn't that bad. But.. scars all the same."
"Scars can be dealt with," Alptraum points out, "At least it is something I can deal with. But ... why? You seem worried about having them? What worries you about them?"
"They're caused by magic, so will probably react to magic," Wynona explains. "They might glow or pulse. I just hope they don't itch. I had enough issues with sneezing before."
"And it worries you to have something that now will be ... uniquely you?" Alptraum asks. "The scars we all bear tell the story of our life. If you didn't have any it just means you never lived."
"I just don't want them to interfere," Wynona says. "I once botched a spell so badly it blew me from the Sea of Sand to the valley of Aelfhiem here in Ur. Because I sneezed. At least I found out that it wasn't my fault the airship exploded."
"Then you practice after you recover, but before you go back into your job to find out if they will," Alptraum points out. "And even if they do, you learn to deal with it. My abilities have all sorts of drawbacks I've learned to live with."
"I can't mess up again," Wynona says quietly. "Although Mage Trilby said my 'beefy arms' helped mitigate the damage. I need to be more aware of things in combat."
"Wrong attitude," Alptraum corrects, gently, and reaches over to tap her on the nose with his ugly-looking hand. "You will mess up again. Everyone does. Everyone will. What you need to focus on is not that you mess up, but how you mitigate damage it causes and how you recover. Are there things you can do with how you work that would limit damages if it went wrong? Can you alter your circles in a way to add some sort of fail to sputter instead of fail to explode. Things like that."
"That sounds like Titanian gremlin-traps," Wynona says, eyes crossing to follow Alptraum's finger. "Normally, you have another mage to help. But the Yodhrephath don't have anyone that could do that.. they aren't going to learn circle maintenance and chaos damping now. And I also doubt that any Chaos Mages or Air Mages would suddenly want to join up."
"Then invent something new," Alptraum suggests. "Don't rely on what currently is, make your own path. For example, crystal disrupts magic, right? Have some wing armor built that lines your vanes with crystals. You could use your wings as sort of a magic shield then, couldn't you? Behind you, they don't block anything but from behind ... but in an instant, you could wrap yourself in them as a guard to magic blowback? Granted, I really have no idea if it would work or not ... but think along those lines. See if you can come up with passive things you could carry that would help you in such cases."
"Who has access to that much crystal?" Wynona asks, wide eyed. "But.. it would disrupt my magic too. I really need to focus on enchantment, so I can have what I need pre-prepared to use quickly. Some of the Yodhrephath may be able to assist with that, at least."
Alptraum uhs, "You do know that Crystal fragments are extremely common out in the Wound, yes?" He shakes his head. "Anyway, my main point is this, think beyond what you were taught. Look for new ways to do old things. I've had no formal education in any magic, and I've managed to do some impressive things. Granted how is extremely odd and not without cost to myself, but I bet most scholars wouldn't believe my accomplishments possible."
"I haven't tried to use Rephath's mag.. miracles.. yet," Wynona admits, and flexes her fingers. "I'm still biased, I suppose."
"Or afraid," Alptraum says. "It's not easy for any of us to go beyond what we're comfortable with."
"I'm not a very good Yodh," Wynona admits. "I'm trying to be a good mage for them though, since I'm probably the only one they'll ever get. And before I start.. experimenting.. I need to a good spot that's alright to destroy, like one of the old watchtowers."
"I think you're a perfect Yodh," Alptraum offers, "You actually believe in trying to help the city and your Temple, in spite of how both have treated you. So, why don't you tell me why you don't think you are a good Yodh?"
"Well, I'm not very pious," Wynona confesses. "I haven't prayed since I got hurt. I don't have the proper attitude, but I think that makes me better at working with Captain Karada. I'm used to Captains, not priestesses. I'm not a violent person. Not that all of the Yodhrephath are violent, but they're expected to be when needed."
"Okay. Now tell me the role a Yodhrephath has in this city?" Alptraum asks next.
"Right now?" Wynona asks. "Trade route protection, which is like the old anti-pirate stuff but.. more reliable. And still in-city Ptera patrols around the Wound, but not as many as when I was starting out. I don't know that we actual perform a religious function or not. That part of the Yodh I was never clear on. Mercenary priestesses just don't make a lot of sense to me, but I wasn't raised in Babel."
"So, if I were to simply that to a few words... help protect people and the city. Protecting trade protects people. Patrolling the Wound keeps looting down, which protects people and the city. Sure, it's a little narrow on how, but that seems to sum it up, right?" Alptraum asks, gently. "So, tell me then how you helping the Captain, defending the ships ... with your life, and protecting those around you does not fall right into part of 'Protecting people'? Things like attitude, being violent, etc, are all means to an end. They are not the only means. You are being a Yodhrepath, in you own way and means. And you are being successful."
"I'm needed on the Vigilant Eye, but not.. anywhere else," Wynona says. "But that's fine. I don't want to be a fighter, or intimidating. I want to help with my magic. That makes me confident, the rest.. undermines that. If I recover well enough, I'll probably ask to be permanently assigned to the ship. I can focus on protected that, which causes me less anxiety than protecting the entire city."
"I need you," Alptraum says and reaches over to place his hand atop one of her bandaged ones. "And no, not in any weird Babel way. As a friend, as someone not bound up in traditions. As someone not afraid to be themselves around me. You've one of a few Yodh that doesn't reat me like something to be afraid of. Or envious of."
"And by extension, the city itself needs you," Alptraum adds. "It needs different viewpoints. Different 'souls', as it were."
"Well.. I'm used to people that are confusing and surprising," Wynona says, looking up finally and grinning. "But you're just a normal person really, in an abnormal situation. An outsider stepping into a swamp of tradition. I can sympathize, obviously."
Black ooze comes out of Alptraum's hand and wraps around hers a little. "Be fair, I'm not entirely normal," he points out. "But my point is, you're a fine Yodh, just not a 'traditional' one. I'm not traditional either. Both of us have done a lot for the city. So, judge yourself by those standards. Not because you can't make a face that looks like a fury of constipation."
Wynona twists her face up and tries to look mean, but ends up looking like she's been sucking on a sour candy. "I can tell you couldn't do that stuff growing up," Wynona says, relaxing her face.
"Growing up all my abilities were ... subtle and mmm, indirect," Alptraum explains and shrugs, then draws his hand back. "Though I am curious why you say that."
"A kid with those abilities would be a terror without being raised by the Yodh," Wynona suggests. "You aren't someone who was brought up to be a demigod. I'd hate to think what would have happened if you'd been groomed by the Yodhsunala."
"I grew up an outcast in the armpit of the world, unwelcome by most cities," Alptraum says. "Nothing was easy or given. Every day had a struggle to overcome. I know what it is like to he hated. Not feared, just hated. I know what people who live in the margins and shadows feel. So I suppose that gives me a more open perspective in some ways."
"Even that doesn't make you a better person though," Wynona says. "Someone from Babel would not have empathized with the have-nots if given the power you have, they'd have just used it to get whatever they wanted, I think. It's not just your background, it's who you are that makes you kind."
"Or given someone they trusted a way to kill me if I ever did fall and become someone just seeking power, status, and control," Alptraum notes and shrugs. "Also, keep in mind one of my 'powers' is that I can experience others lives as if I lived it. It helps keep me a bit grounded."
"I imagine you have some good friends too," Wynona says. "It's hard to progress much in isolation without becoming.. distant. You even have a pet. I always wanted a talking creen when I was little."
"Of course I did. I had at least one close friend. No pets though, not back then," Alptraum says, and shrugs some. "And well, the pet now is really a spell designed to act as a jail for some of the worst entities in existence. Sentient, but still a magical construct. She mostly tolerates me because she needs me to carry out her instructions, more or less."
"Most pets just want to be fed, I've been told," Wynona says. "I can't conjure up an Air Elemental to be a pet. That's too advanced. And the Yodh don't have any miracles for something like that." She leans back, and admits, "I wanted a pet because at least I could pretend they liked me no matter what."
"You have people that like you no matter what," Alptraum points out.
"Yeah," Wynona smiles. "That makes it possible to keep going, I think. A big difference from my Wrong-Way years."
"And for reference, your Captain came here practically every day you were unconscious to check on you," Alptraum says. "So no dying. If you try to, I'll put your mind and spirit in a grok and give you to the captain as a pet."
After a moment of thought, Wynona bites her lip before asking, "Not something cuddlier?"
"Groks are plenty cuddly," Alptraum claims, "I turned Koldesh into one for a while."
Wide-eyed, Wynona asks, "Should I be hearing about that?"
"Why shouldn't you?" Alptraum asks. "I've also spanked Rephath."
"Because she's the High Priestess!" Wynona whispers tensely. "She probably doesn't want anyone knowing about things like that."
"It's not like I've given details," Alptraum says, "Though she had an impressive tail in that body..."
Wynona covers her ears! Then has to return her hands to stabilize her pastry plate almost immediately. "Gossip is bad," she claims. "Been on the wrong end of it often enough to know."
"It's not gossip if an involved party is mentioning it. I was a grok too," Alptraum points out.
"I don't want to be a grok," Wynona declares.
"But it's fun," Alptraum claims. "What would you want to be?"
"I.. don't know," Wynona admits, looking at the ceiling. "It's not the sort of thing I've thought about. Definitely not a fuff'nar or grok though."
"Or a yiffle," Alptraum says, "But you could be a naga! And coil around him..."
"That's not a pet though," Wynona points out. "I'd just rather be myself in that case."
Alptraum grins widely. "I'll be sure to tell him that," he says.
Wynona blinks, and looks she's about to punch Alptraum in the shoulder but stops at the last moment. "I'm moving at my own pace," she claims as she sets her hand back into her lap. "Not Babel's or anyone else's. I want things to be.. romantic."
Alptraum grins. "I know, I'm not really involved in any of it, other that giving your butt a push when you waffle. I don't get to be with the one I love, you have a chance at it. I don't want you to miss it," he says.
"Once things in Babel are more stable.. I won't waffle," Wynona claims.
"You'll just present your waffle to him?" Alptraum jokes.
"I can't cook," Wynona says, then narrows her eyes. "Ewww! Alptraum!"
Alptraum laughs. "What, what?" he asks and holds up his hands. "It's my duty to treat you like my sister, or something."
"You'd tease your sister about that?" Wynona asks. "A brother's duty is to protect his sister from stuff like that though!"
"You don't know the people I grew up with," Alptraum points out. "And now that I'm thinking about waffles, I should talk to Trilby on a few things and let you rest."
"Now I'm thinking about waffles," Wynona complains, then bites into her pastry again. "Fanks f'r checkin' in on m'"
Alptraum leans down and kisses Wynona right in the center of her forehead. "Glad to see you're back to normal, more or less," he says. "I'll be back again sometime." With that, he steps back and then out of the curtained area. Time to deal with the mouse! He also pauses to give himself aa quick sort of physical, to make sure he's still mostly stable.
There are soft spots, but that could be from the passage of time or from being slightly catty in conversation. The assistant is stirring some unpleasant looking liquid in a beaker. Being a Khatta, they probably couldn't hear an Eeee-volume conversation, especially through the sound-absorbing cloth. But this one doesn't seem to even be aware of Alptraum's presence still.
Alptraum walks over and looms at the assistant. "Ahem," he says.
The assistant sets down the beaker carefully, then puffs out in panic. "Ahh!"
Alptraum laughs. "I'm here to see Trilby," he says.
"She's in the back, I think," the assistant says. "You shouldn't sneak up on people working with.. fluids," they then chide.
"I'm a monster of the shadows. I'm always lurking in everyone's shadow," Alptraum claims, then turns and heads towards the back and leaves the assistant to think on that.
The assistant is now staring at their shadow.. while still stirring the liquid in the beaker.
"Yo, mousebutt!" Alptraum calls for Trilby, "It's Alptraum, I need to borrow some stuff..."
The door really needs some sort of sign indicating how dangerous it is to disturb the occupant. It opens a crack, and a brown eye looks out and up at Alptraum. "Mousebutt?" Trilby asks. "Really?"
"You're a mouse, you have a butt," Alptraum points out logically. "So, two things, two of the khattah have been identified. They're clean and can have their memories restored fine. The other, I need to borrow that weird gear I brought you. Inala .. business, of course."
"Come inside then," Trilby says, opening the door the rest of the way. The working space is well let for a change. "You mean the big stripy ones, right?"
Alptraum enters. "The weird leather outfit," he clarifies. "For weird bedroom stuff."
"I haven't used it, should still be in the box.." Trilby says, looking to her desk and the pile of things atop it. "I can't only take one Khatta at a time. They're big, and the two remaining recovery bays will need to be combined for just one of them." She finds the weird leather strap outfit after some rummaging.
"Well, that's disappointing. Why haven't you used it?" Alptraum asks.
Trilby pauses and gives Alptraum a look. "It's all belts," she points out. "If I wore that, my students would be traumatized."
"Or excited," Alptraum counters. "Or wear a mask and go to a club. Have some fun."
"How often do people need to have fun though?" Trilby asks, leaning back against the desk.
"Regularly," Alptraum counters. "Or you might get stale."
"I take baths for that," Trilby says. "Or do my dream vacations. I'm pretty busy you know. Most students here are clutzy and incompetent."
"You go to the clubs, not the students here. There are clubs with people that are a lot more capable," Alptraum explains, then shrugs. "I guess you really don't want this outfit, then?"
"I haven't had a chance to use it.. or knowledge of how to use it, exactly," Trilby admits. "Is it meant to make me look sexy, or dangerous?"
"Both. Very much both. Some people really like that," Alptraum claims.
"Really?" Trilby asks. "Who though? I'm not a sexy person you know!"
"Yes you are? I'll have to take you to one of the clubs sometime then, for some .. training," Alptraum claims, and grins. "But right now .. I need to just borrow the outfit. Inala has me on another frustrating quest for Her."
"That requires you tie someone up in leather straps?" Trilby asks, handing over the package.
"No, you wear them, and be all intimidating and scary with them ... and the pay you for it," Alptraum explains. "So, it's like bossing your helpers around, and getting paid to do it."
"I'm already paid to do that," Trilby notes. "I'm a teacher. But you're saying people would pay me to... boss them around?"
Alptraum nods. "Yes, some people get off on it," he admits.
"Hmmm... I do like exploiting weirdos, I suppose," the mouse says while tapping her fingers back against her desk. "Men?" she asks.
"Men and women," Alptraum answers. "You get your pick."
"I'm guessing this isn't the usual sort of bossing around though," Trilby states. "What are some examples?"
"Well, it's usually getting them to do degrading things. Lick your feet, pet your tail, crawl around on a leash. It's bizarre," Alptraum says, ears splaying out some.
"That is very.. Babelite. Or Gallisian," Trilby says. "Is that what you're going to use it for?"
"... Probably," Alptraum admits, "Like I said, Inala related stuff. She has a desire for a mouse."
"What does that mean?" Trilby asks, narrowing her eyes. "You didn't sell me to her or something, did you?"
"No, I have to be the mouse," Alptraum grumbles, "Inala is already prettymuch insisting that I be female in spite of my wishes. In an hour I'll be a woman again."
"What.. never mind," Trilby says, shaking her head and patting her cheeks. "I need to prepare for a tiger, not get involved in weird god stuff."
"Good idea. My life is weird enough and may induce insanity," Alptraum laments. He picks up the box and soon dips his head. "I'll leave you to your work, Mistress Mousebutt."
"Aren't you going to be Mistress Mousebutt though?" Trilby asks, and actually pats Alptraum on the butt in passing. "Going to check on my student's progress. When you become a Skeek.. you don't look like me do you?"
"I'm only pretend. There's only one true Mistress Mousebutt, Mousebutt," Alptruam quips with a fangy sort of grin. "And no, I don't look like you at all. Your secret identity will remain safe." He nyehs, grins, and slips on out himself.
Alptraum doesn't remember falling asleep, which is the usual way to end up here, nor changing into the mouse girl. But she's here now, and even has the special leather gear (although she isn't wearing it, or anything, at the moment). She can commotion in the connecting tunnel, so several people are apparently about to arrive as well.
"What in Dagh's Name?" Mousetraum comments as she stands there, blinking. "How did I get here? I ... I didn't fall asleep, I didn't even get home! I just ... okay, this is not good at all."
There's a little voice in the back of Mousetraum's head that says, "I thought this might be a good time to practice." It isn't Inala though. It sounds a bit like Zakaro. And then Hortense marches into the chamber, leading the bunny harem and decked out in her usual leather gear that isn't too different from what Mousetraum brought.
"Practice what?" Moursetraum thinks, puzzled by the voice she heard. Why would Zakaro be involved now...? She glares right at Hortense, too. "I suppose it's your fault I'm here?" she demands.
"Oh hon, it's never my fault," the Khatta says, stepping onto the dais and then pouncing Mousetraum. "This is your cutest look yet," she claims.
Mousetraum acks! as she goes down on her back and glares up. "I am not cute," she says, cutely.
This earns a big, abrasive lick along the side of her face and some Khatta-claw pinpricks on her shoulders. "You are adorable," Hortense claims. Then she rolls off of the Skeek and hops to her feet, offering a hand to Mousetraum.
The mouse grumbles at that, but does accept the offered hand up and gets back onto her feet.
The bunnies crowd in around her, so that the mouse is surrounded on all sides by soft fluff. "We can help you get the outfit on," one whispers to her. "Or we can make you feel really good first," another offers. "Or both at once," a third claims.
The mouse arches her brow. "And all of the options lead to doom," she comments, deadpan. She looks down at the weird pile in her arms a moment as she ponders this. "So ... why not both then?" she asks.
This leads to being kissed and nuzzled by a half-dozen does, all over, while also being pulled into various positions while the straps are secured. How they manage this while always have tongues licking sensitive areas is probably due to practice.
Ergo, there is a whole lot of squirming that comes from it, and a fair amount of tail-whipping going on with that bare tail! "Yeep!" she squeaks more than once, too.
Once the straps are all buckled, the does hoist Mousetraum up for inspection. Hortense hmmms, and tests the slack on some of the buckles while giving everything a critical eye.
Thus, the raised squeak peers over all, and still squirms a whole heck of a lot up there. There are moments, though, of a bit of giggling too, but she's trying to suppress that.
Hortense's riding crop, brushes up between the Skeek's legs, where she's still exposed. "Tut! A mistress does not giggle," she chides. She also gestures to Jacoba, who hasn't done anything other than hold a box so far. The buck comes over, and Hortense rummages through the box before retrieving what appears to be a dildo sculpted after a Rhian's member in both size and shape. The detail is very good, and it's smooth and glossy.
The mouse blinks when she sees that and doesn't giggle. "That ... that is crazy big," she finally declares after inspecting it. "You actually use that?!"
"Oh yes, I do," Hortense says, grinning. "Now, pick a doe.."
The harem release Mousetraum to stand on her own, and go line up.
Mousetraum points at Hortense, instead. And grins.
The cat laughs. "Oh no, that's a bit too advanced just yet," she claims, and taps the Skeek's nose with the tip of her riding crop, which of course smells like Skeek now. "I'm your teacher."
"You're a pain in the butt," Moursetraum counters and wiggles her nose. "But fiiiiiine," she relents and looks at the harem instead. She counts three lapi in and then points.
The brown and pie-bald doe points to herself just to be sure, before stepping forward. Hortense looms behind Mousetraum, and reaches around to sort of hug her while holding the crop in one hand and the dildo in the other. "Can you imagine her as prey?" the Khatta purrs to Mousetraum, pressed against her back so that the Skeek can feel the purring.
"Oddly, yes," Mousetraum admits. After all, being a vampire does tend to inherently make most things prey! Even in this form she remembers how it feels to look at people like that. Soon she's idly playing with that ridiculous toy, and now probably wants one.
"Snarl," Hortense says. "Make her take a submissive pose."
Mousetraum has to wonder about that? A snarling mouse? Would anyone believe that? Still, she gives it a good try! Again she relies on vampire history to try and do a good toothy snarl at the bunny. Question is ... will it work with those mousey teeth?
It does sound a bit wheezy, but then.. she's trying to intimidate a bunny (even if it's one of Hortense's bunnies that has tormented Mousetraum in the past). At least the doe's ears go down a bit.
"Take the crop, and slap it against your leg this time," Hortense advises. "Make it loud and sharp."
Mousetraum takes the crop. Now, the urge is to slap Hortense with it! And for a bit she really considers doing just that ... buuuut. Still, she actually likes the cat and would rather not irritate her for real. So, she looks right back at the doe again, and growls a little when she bears her teeth ... and this time she slaps the crop on her own thigh, hard. Egad that hurts!
That makes the doe wince and sort of hunch down a bit, with her hands together. Maybe seeing Mousetraum not wince at the self-inflicted pain is the key. "Now give her a command," Hortense suggests. "Make her get on the floor and show you her belly or similar."
It's easier to hiss when your leg is smarting, that's for sure. "Kneel down, legs spread and hands behind your back," the mouse demands in a sort of strained hiss of a voice.
The doe complies, and even bows her head down so she isn't looking at Mousetraum. Her little puff-tail does wiggle a bit though.
Moursetraum of course lifts a foot and rubs the top of it riiight between the doe's legs. Hence the whole 'spread em'! command.
"Ah, that's good!" Hortense approves. "For men, you usually have to grind your foot in there crotch." The doe squirms a bit but doesn't make any noises. "Don't forget that you have the crop, it has a lot of uses."
Mousetraum looks back briefly. Well, given the height and position she uses juuust the tip of the crop to swat the doe's nipples. Mainly since it can be done with a wrist flick at the moment.
That causes a squeak! Mousetraum's toes are getting a bit wet as well now.
"Tsk, I think she's enjoying herself," Moursetraum observes. She raises the crop to lightly flick her right on the nose. "Naughty bunny."
"Yes Mistress," the doe apologies, and squirms a bit more.
"You're a natural," Hortense claims, and runs her fingers along one of the mouse's breasts, the other hand still holding the dildo.
"I also think you're all crazy," Moursetraum claims and is now squirming a bit herself. And since there's a doe riiight in front of her ... she lifts the crop and places the end behind the doe's head. With pressure, she tries to get the doe to lean forward now. She's at just the right height for that nose to end up in a sensitive place on her!
Using the crop to guide her works well, and the doe obediently starts to lick.
Mousetraum twitches! Well, that's nice at least!
Hortense also nibbles on one of Mousetraum's ears as well. "You're doing very well so far," she purrs. "She's almost ready."
"Ready for what?" Mousetraum asks, rather distractedly. She also brings the crop down the doe's side, then swaps her firmly on the outside of one of her breasts.
In response, Hortense holds out the dildo again.
"She'll never be able to use that!" the mouse squeaks!
"Maybe not at first," Hortense purrs. "And you should make her think that it won't."
"Not that I want to use it on myself," Mousetraum mutters as she eyes that ridiculous toy. She lets the doe lick a bit longer before she pushes her back using the crop against her forehead. "Sit up," she instructs.
The doe sits up, in a sort of crouching squat, since she wasn't told to stop keeping her legs spread.
The mouse now takes that disturbing toy away from Hortense and crouches down. The way is because she slides it right between the doe's legs. She has to take it at an angle because it's taller than the doe sits. It also means when she straightens it up some, the tip of it pushes up against, then inside the doe. "You're going to sit all the way down on this ... or else," she murmurs into the doe's ear. "Slow is fine, but I'd better not see you give up..."
The doe looks.. strained, but not enough to disobey. She slowly sits. Luckily there's a cord looped through the base of the thing, so it can be retrieved again just in case. As she does that, Mousetraum feels pressure against her back that's not as soft as Hortense was, and something slipping into her that isn't Rhian sized but still filling - and familiar! It's the buck, Jacoba.
"Ah ah, no going back up, you have to always keep going down, even if you split in two," The mouse chastises the doe and swats the outside of one of her thighs with the crop. She might have done more, but ... suddenly she finds herself rather distracted by one of the other bunnies! It's a strain to keep a straight and stern face!
The buck nuzzles Mousetraum's neck, and whispers, "Guide me, Mistress."
Mousetraum sweeps the crop back instead and swats the outside of Jacoba's butt! Also, part of her own side, not well planned, that. "Oh, so you're going to be naughty too, is it?" she sort-of-hiss-groans as she tries to remain at least somewhat focused.
The doe is still sinking towards the floor, and Jacoba hasn't moved since the whisper, other than to twitch when swatted. "As naughty as you want me to be," he answers.
"Well, you'd better start moving," Mousetraum says, threateningly and waves the crop back at Jacoba. Then she's back to peering at the doe and arching her brow. "You've barely gone halfway. Pfft, a wanton doe like you should be able to slip that thing right in, don't you think?" she chastises.
"I'm worried about losing my balance, Mistress," the doe claims, as she's already having to put her hands on the ground. Then Jacoba starts moving, and the first thrust lifts Mousetraum up off of her feet. She's not used to being shorter than a Lapi!
"Excuses!" the mouse squeaks, loudly, as she's lifted up! "You can do better!" Now she's scrambling to get better balance and position herself before Jacoba moves again.
The buck tries to help by reaching around and grabbing onto Mousetraum's breasts, which still allows for a wide degree of movement, as he keeps bucking the mouse up off her feet until told otherwise. The doe is.. well, watching and licking her lips, wiggling her own hips a bit more as she descends. The other does are being cuddly with one another as well now too, but Hortense is not in sight.. so somewhere behind the Skeek and buck.
The mouse takes the crop and starts rubbing the tip of it against the doe, right between her legs, just above where the doe is slowly impaling herself. Aka, right on Inala's orb. Really, all she has to do is hold it, and Jacoba's movement is helping move it for her! It's easier than having to control the movement herself at least. Especially since she can't quite focus right now.
"Stay in control," Hortense tells her, just off to the side of the buck apparently. "They are here to dance to your whims."
The buck is making 'unf unf' noises though while he squeezes and bucks.
"Easier said than done," Mousetraum growls a little as she tries to keep focus. "Move slower and more rhythmically," she instructs Jacoba. The doe, well, the crop is moved to slap the doe lightly on her orb. "You've stopped going down," she growls.
The doe's whiskers and ears twitch with each slap, but then she does start moving down again, but still has a ways to go. Jacoba switches from upward thrusts to a rolling of his hips (which causes Mousetraum's hips to roll as well) but at least her toes touch the ground most of the time. "May I nibble at your neck?" the bucks asks.
"If you are well-behaved about it," Mousetraum concedes, sounding as if she is allowing a major favor. "If you don't take all of that toy," she soon mutters to the doe, "We're going to get that area pierced and ringed closed for a year. Or longer."
The doe eeps, and tries to speed things up while biting her lip. Jacoba, meanwhile, takes a good bit of Mousetraum's neck scruff to nibble and tug on like it's a teat.
"Not only ringed closed, you'll have to take that in your back door every day as punishment for not being wanton enough," Mousrtraum threatens more. It helps her focus and not fully succumb to what the buck on her back is doing. It feels far, far too good for its own good! Or something.
So the doe begins to moan and squirm wantonly as she pushes down, having to readjust her legs. Jacoba keeps up the distraction campaign by trying to bend Mousetraum forward a bit, running his hands down to her hips and grabbing onto the straps.
"What, you don't want to be able to take that in your backside too?" Mousetraum taunts the doe, almost purring as she does so. "You've only got about a quarter to go..." Jacoba, though, makes her grunt when he does that! "Who said you could mess with my clothing? Keep taking liberties and you'll be cut off from any contact through a locked belt, or ... something!"
"Of course, Mistress," the buck says around the scruff of her neck, and goes back to squeezing her breasts instead. The does has to change position again, trying to find one where she can be as perpendicular as possible to the ground without falling over, which results in her looking like she's doing the splits while having her arms behind her back so her hands can provide more support. She's moaning and twitching as she bears down - she probably doesn't even need her hands to support her.
The mouse actually cackles, "You're almost there, and stretched as wide as my calf! What a dirty little bunny you are!" Then she suddenly squeaks a bit and tenses up! And fluffs up some, when she gets a burst of an almost-peak from the buck's movement. She huffs out.
This makes Jacoba slow down. The floor under the doe is getting pretty wet though, and one of her hands slips, causing her to drop another inch all at once, which makes her cry out in surprise!
"Sooo cloooose. You can do it. Just one more push and you'll have it all in!" the mouse cackles right after the slip and accidental spearing. She even leans down now given the doe's position and starts licking her Inala's orb for encouragement.
With the mouse leaned over, Jacoba grabs her hips again and starts pumping, which forces Mousetraum's nose into things on every other stroke. The attention causes the doe to slow down her slide even more though.
"No slowinG down! Take it all, you dirty bunny," Mousetraum actually growls. Which sounds a bit weird given where she's growling into. She knows she won't be lasting much longer now, herself!
The doe lets herself slide a bit more freely now, descending at a quicker rate. Jacoba also speeds up, making the leather belts creek in places. The position also causes them to bite into Mousetraum in places.
And now the mouse is quiet, because she's just enjoying Jacoba, while licking the poor bunny! Soo, she finally falls off the cliff so to speak, and ends up making all sorts of hissy-chittery sounds as pleasures just roll through her.
This startles the doe, who finally hits the floor with a squeak. Jacoba keeps going a bit longer before finishing, but even then doesn't stop.. because he hasn't been told to stop.
And the mouse lets him go a bit longer since, well women sort of keep going while there's stimulation! But at some point she finally calls a truce by saying, tiredly, "Okay, Jacoba, you can stop now and get off me."
The bucks stops, followed by a sudden emptiness where he was. The doe is in some sort of fugue or high from the way her eyes seem glazed, but she finally got things all the inside as commanded.
Aaaand, the mouse tips over onto her side and lays on the floor now, wheezing. "Victory!" she declares, weakly.
"Hmmm," Hortense goes, and pokes the mouse with a toe. "Not yet," she says. "You aren't done with the doe. You have to retrieve the item."
"I figured we would leave it in her for a week," Mousetraum jokes as she's prodded with a toe. She therefore slaps the leg attached to that tow with the crop!
"Are you being naughty?" the cat asks. "And while that does sound like an interesting idea, it isn't healthy to have things stuck up in there for extended periods. Especially once things dry up."
"I'm always naughty," Mousetraum insists. Soon, though, she's reaching over to get ahold of the loop on the end of that disturbing toy ... and once she has it, starts to puuuuuull.
"There are glass balls that can be used for hours at a time though," Hortense notes, "but they are very smooth and expensive to import."
The doe immediately goes onto her back when the tugging starts, and seems to be enjoying the exit more than the entry. It takes a bit of strength too, as it is in there pretty tightly.
And of course the mouse doesn't pull it out at first, maybe a quarter, then shoves it right back in. She does this several evil times before the pull continues and she does slowly extract it.
The doe is really panting by the end, and seems unable to move. She'll probably need to do a bunch of exercises to get things back in shape after this.
The mouse is admiring her handiwork! She's never actually seen it from this angle stretched that much, well, open.
"You could have twisted it too," Hortense says. "The key is to never make wholly about pleasure, pain or humiliation, but keep them all in balance."
The doe will certainly recover - after all, they tend to give birth a lot, sometimes producing twins.
Mousetraum peers up at Hortense. "Well, not sure the Sisters would agree, each tend to focus on just one aspect there ... but I understand what you mean," she admits.
"The perversions of gods tend to be narrow, compared to mortals," Hortense opines. Then she holds her hand out for the dildo, making a 'gimme' gesture with her hand.
Mousetraum waggles it at the cat, then hands it over.
The cat then gets down on her knees and tries to push it into the Skeek, who is at least well lubricated.
"Hey!" Mousetraum squeaks! "What are you doing!?" Her ears shoot up too as she rapidly tries to, well, relax!
"Cats play with mice," Hortense claims, and sees how far she can get the object in.. but not all at once, since as soon as she gets it in she takes it out, tries again with more wiggling or twisting, or teasingly pushes at the rear entrance to see how the Skeek will react.
The reaction is a whole lot of squirming. And there are points the mouse is actively pushing back, as in trying to help push it in! This includes both front and rear entrances. "What, it's my turn to submit, is it?" she asks Hortense.
"Oh, I like it when you struggle too," Hortense purrs. "Then I can have others hold you down." She gives the dildo a good push then in emphasis.
The shove makes the mouse grunt, cutely. She even pokes out her tongue. "Bet I can take it all," she claims, "As well as any bunny!"
"Oh really?" Hortense asks with a purr. "This doesn't have the symbol of Inala engraved on it.. nor do you yet." Did she put special emphasis on the 'yet' part of that? But she continues to use it to play with the mouse, going a little deeper each time.
"Neither do your does," Mousetraum points out, grunting. Sure, it's uncomfortable, but she's not going to let a bunny show her up! So she's actively trying to take it all when the cat pushes. "And what is this .... yet?" she demands to know.
"Oh, I think Mordecai needed to do something," Hortense says off-handedly as she tries to get another inch in with a screwing motion. Given that the item is slightly curved, it's very noticeable.
That makes the mouse arch up and squeak! Curse her stubbornness and determination, because she's still trying to take it all unless it actively hurts to the point it's dangerous!
Hortense tries to play the Skeek like an instrument, and has managed to fit things in to the half-way mark, which is really stretching things out. At least it's been warmed up by the doe, because if it was cold it would be harder. "You know, I can always just call the pony," the cat teases.
"The pony?" the mouse asks, looking rather confused.
"One of our Special Friends," Hortense explains. "He's a bit shaggy and fond of unicorns. A little smaller than this toy, but he has offered to be life-cast for a new one if we need it." Then she wiggles the sculpture back and forth rather rapidly.
"Why would I want something smaller?" the mouse counters and growls a little at Hortense! "I like pushing limits!" Then as the toy is wiggled and twisted, she arches and chirps!
"Well, at least you're flexible," Hortense says, and makes a whistling-hiss sort of noise that summons the harem. So while she works one end, the bunnies attack from all other sides, licking and nuzzling and massaging.. and a tickling now and then too. All in an attempt at overloading the Skeek.
"Waaaah!" goes the skeek! She turns into a flailing tiny thing, complete with spanking whip-tail as she tries to fend off the bunny attack!
Does grab onto her limbs to keep the thrashing to a minimum (and someone is sucking on her tail), but before then Hortense actually manages to push things another three full inches, and pushing against the mouse's cervix before she starts wiggling it again.
The skeek arches up again and and cries out! That's not exactly comfortable! Of course she isn't asking anyone to stop, either, so ... As the wiggling begins, there's more attempts at just trying to relax and hopefully allow things to move, well, easier? Though given where it's hitting its probably a lost cause.
Trying to relax at all is unlikely under all the stimulation. "Are you ready to give up?" Hortense purrs to Mousetraum. "Or see what the limit really is?"
"I never give up!" the skeek claims!
So the pressure continues, getting worse but also being balanced out by all of the other stimulation.. until something pops and suddenly the phallus is past the obstacle and stretching out the cavity beyond.
And at that, the mouse squeaks, loudly! That felt weird! Up there weird to the sorts of things Nicora has felt when she's been violated.
Hortense starts pulling it out before pushing back again, now that there's less resistance, setting up a rhythm that the does all pick up on and time their own ministrations to match so things sync up for best effect.
That rapidly gets overwhelming. Soon the skeek is shuddering and moaning again just like a wanton doe was earlier! There's less fighting and more, well, convulsing in the throws of over-stimulated pleasure/pain mix.
"That should be enough," Hortense says, bringing things to a sudden halt (but not pulling things out). "Or do you want us to continue, my little mouse?" she asks.
The skeek is wheezing. "I think that was enough," she finally relents. She's still twitching all over, and her vision is a bit spotty.
"You think?" the feline asks. "The correct answer is: Yes Mistress, you have pushed me passed my limit as no other ever will."
Mousetraum arches her brow. "You're formally my Mistress?" she actually teases a little and grins. "Joking aside, you did push past ... something. Mph."
Hortense slowly withdraws the phallus, but there are embarrassing noises once the trapped air and fluids are freed. "Of course I'm your Mistress," the Khatta claims.
And of course the mouse grunts as it's pulled out. Sounds are, well, natural if a bit embarrassing. It's not like she hasn't made worse!
Muscles feel a bit weak immediately afterwards, so it's not like the mouse is getting to her feet right away.
Nor does she seem inclined to try and get up. Right now she lays there, panting and staring up at the weird ceiling. She's back to wondering how she got here!
In the back of her mind.. something is weird. She remembers leaving the guild tower.. and returning to the Nest. Changing into Mousetraum and getting into the leather harness with the help of the dressing mirror while Tulani tries to find a riding crop or similar item. But it's less remembering and more 'this is happening at the same time', which is weirder.
Buh? Is she some how having a split mind, where two events are going on at the same time? It's starting to give her a headache to even think about. Ugh!
"You'll get used to it with practice," Zakaro whispers. "This is your territory in action, the ability to split your presence, or draw others into a territory of your choosing."
"Is this a reminder I need to visit your Temple?" the skeek wonders now. She had been avoiding it, though she doesn't remember why.
"I suppose it is, if you had forgotten about me," Zakaro replies. "But you would not do that, would you?"
"Of course not," the skeek claims. "I have many reasons to visit, after all" Which is somewhat true, she had an errand to run for the Mage Guild there too.
"Then I look forward to your visit," the goddess notes.
"When I can walk again and I do not have Inala driving me crazy, yes," the skeek thinks. She wiggles her toes and even those feel tired. Wow, did she manage to push limits with every muscle? Egad! Rest ... yes, rest a few.