It's easier flying around the back-way to get from Mt. Zakaro to Mt. Inala. It's not the fastest, but does avoid flying through the city, and offers plenty of old ruins to hide and rest in. There are the two barsunala that are supposed to check on the Temple of Inala every so often, but Alptraum doesn't detect them as she lands in the old garden and then heads to the secret door.

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.

"How are things going with the Yodhzakaro?" Tulani asks when Alptraum arrives. She's dressed in her dancer outfit, complete with bells and finger cymbals.

"I've had more fun at funerals," Alptraum comments as she enters, looking a bit droopy and worn. "It's hard to encourage and inspire anyone when all they do is look at you like they want to kill you."

"Probably jealous because you look prettier than Yodhzakaro are supposed to," Tulani says. "Think they'll work with the Mages though?"

"I'm pretty sure one of their guards will try to kill me at some point. So, that'll be fun," Alptraum admits as she flops her butt down on a crate to rest. "And ... honestly? I really don't know. They're pretty angry and aggressive. I'm not sure they'll negotiate well. Out of all the Temples, this one I may not be able to save."

"Well, it's not like they can have much pride left," Tulani says. "You look worn down too, when did you last feed?"

"It's been a while," Alptraum admits, "Though my energy reserves are pretty high. Surprising since I did a lot while there."

"What sort of things did you do?" Tulani asks, pulling up a settee to sit on with a jingling of bells. "I assume they aren't all staying in the burned out Temple?"

"There's another temple underneath the burned out one. They're staying down there. It's a bit like a bunker," Alptraum explains. "Mostly I just experimented using the shadow at Zakaro's insistence way down in a deep pit below even that. It was educational, though how much will be useful remains to be seen."

"Ooo! What did you try?" the feline asks, leaning forward towards Alptraum. "Actual Zakaro magic?"

"Mostly testing out her idea of territories and using the shadow to step between them, or pull someone into it. Also, testing to see if other shadows can be used to reach through. Turns out that yes, it can ... but it's really hard to do, and I have to be careful about what I push into it, or pull through it," Alptraum answers.

"Regular shadows?" Tulani asks. "So.. you could grab someone and hold them through their own shadow?"

"Quite possibly! But again it's really difficult to do. Requires a lot of effort and concentration," Alptraum says, shrugs some. "I can duplicate myself through it too, but ... same problem. It will leave me vulnerable while I concentrate."

"Do you have to be able to see the shadow you use, or could it be on the other side of a wall or something?" Tulani asks.

"I think I have to be able to see it," Alptraum admits. "Otherwise I can't focus right."

"That's a shame, would have been great for spying," Tulani says. "You want to bite me?"

Alptraum answers that by simply reaching over, pulling Tulani into range (or herself if Tulani refuses to move), and then bites down right on her shoulder, near her neck.

Tulani doesn't resist, thankfully. But she does jingle a lot! Her blood does enervate Alptraum a bit though, maybe because she's smaller at the moment, compared to the Sphynx. And there's the purring, which may help things flow better.

Alptraum feels kind of weird about it, chewing on someone metaphorically, but she also lacks a lot of options otherwise. Hunting outside of the city would be even more difficult. So, she does feed for a while. When her jaws do release, she licks over the puncture wounds, then lick-applies the shadow to get them to heal.

"More effective than a shot of rum," Tulani says, blinking a bit. "Sounds like you might need topping off from the Light too."

"Maybe? I don't feel super low, but it also can't really hurt, either," Alptraum admits.

Tulani stands up and wobbles a bit, then fetches the saber and slides it partway out of the sheath so Alptraum can draw on it.

"I didn't drink that much, sheesh," Alptraum complains, looking ashamed of her own dietary needs and having to rely on Tulani for it. She looks away while extending her own arm to slowly absorb from the light.

"There is a black market I need to infiltrate," Tulani says. "I only know of the club where buyers and sellers meet, and it specializes in exotic dancing," she explains. "And possibly in exotic assassins, too, since the Yodhsunala have exited the field."

"I'm not certain yet what is sold," Tulani admits. "I'll need to work as a dancer to find out. I could do with an extra set of eyes and legs, which is why I was seeing how well Jingle could dance. She's mostly legs, after all."

"So, you want me to dance my way in too? What if they capture us and sell us?" Alptraum jokes.

"That could also be useful," Tulani says with a grin. "I know that some of the dancers wear belled collars, which I think indicates.. something. I'll find out more soon though, I think."

"Being caught is kind of fun. They get so smug about it, not realizing what they're bringing home," Alptraum admits, grins. "I've gotten to enjoy it, and surprising people. So, I'm in if you need a dancer."

"I do know that one of the people of interest has a big Savanite bodyguard," Tulani teases with a wink.

"What, do you think if you advertise big spotty guys I'll be even more interested?" Alptraum huffs and crosses her arms. "Because you're right. When did I become so ... boy crazy?"

"Well.. probably back in Olympia," Tulani says. "But who doesn't like a big cat?" she claims.

"Skreeks like anything," Tulani points out. "They'd go for Rhians and Vartans and probably dragons given the chance."

"Anyway, it would be a good idea to find out what they're selling in that market. If it's an organ market, that would be ... disturbing," Alptraum says and shivers a little. "And uh, hey, you don't mind me with all my weird gender issues right? I seem to change all the time."

"Melusine turned you female so you could go unnoticed," Tulani says. "It's a handy tool. And you're probably able to handle being female better than I would being male, since I wouldn't have a lifetime of handling male urges to help me!"

"Fair point. The urges are a huge pain sometimes," Alptraum admits, and sighs a little. "And I have to admit, I like the clothing I can wear like this. Guy clothes are so ... boring. I have so many more options this way, and jewelry."

"I have to wonder if staying here isn't affecting me though," Tulani says, gesturing around the vault. "Breathing in.. Inala vapors or whatever. I know to avoid lingering around the altar at least."

"I think she notices you more if you're there," Tulani says. "You know how in Sylvania you eventually get a feeling when something odd is watching you? It's like that. And when I get close to the altar, sometimes I get the urge to lie on it, which can't be good. Pretty sure you aren't supposed to lie on an altar unless you're a sacrifice."

"I've laid on it fine," Alptraum points out. "But you aren't wrong about being watched around it, that's very true. It's either her or her demon."

"It's stronger if I'm in a dragon form, too," Tulani says. "Does she collect exotic things?"

"Except you don't use dragon form, which is disappointing," Alptraum admits, and shrugs. "I'm not sure she collects anything, other than children and pretty people."

"Why not? She's quite personable. I usually enjoy being around her," Alptraum says. "And her blessings are useful. This body doesn't have them, though."

"Default female one, yes," Alptraum agrees. "And no, it doesn't. So this one can't handle large guys, and isn't, er .. productive up top either."

"I suppose you can go lie on the altar to fix that then," Tulani says. "I guess each form really is like a completely separate person when it comes to the Kindly Ones."

"Sort of. And do you think actually fixing that is a good idea?" Alptraum asks, "Do you really want me even more boy crazy?"

"It makes you boy crazy?" Tulani asks, brows raised. "Or does being boy crazy make you want Inala's blessing?"

"It makes it fun to seek out wants to use the blessings," Alptraum points out. "And if I asked for it, I could end up prettier than you."

"You'd need to be a Sphynx for that," Tulani insists, hand on cocked hip. "You can't compare Eeee to felines. And thank you for thinking I'm pretty!"

"Reasonably," Alptraum claims and waggles her hand some, then grins. "And hm, maybe I will ask Inala for them. Might give me a little more curve, if nothing else."

"If Mave is curvy for an Eeee, it shouldn't take much," Tulani claims. "A curvy Eeee is like a teenager for most other species!"

"Well.. Eeee women are relatively skinny," Tulani says. "I mean, I'm not especially curvy."

"Eeee do tend towards the hot when it comes to body temperature," Tulani says. "But a little bit of hip and bust wouldn't hurt! A curvy Yodhsunala would bring up some mixed feelings I bet."

"I already do that without curves," Alptraum points out, "And we have to be hot temperature wise, our wings are giant radiators. We have to replenish it somehow."

"I figured it was because you flap so much," the Sphynx says. She sheaths the Light and sets it aside. "So, going to go get the blessing then?" she asks.

"No, I wouldn't want to get caught up in it!" Tulani says. "I like being svelte, I don't need to be curvier," she claims.

Temple of Inala, the Altar of Beauty
Once upon a time, this space would have been the grandest cathedral of Babel, despite being smaller than a cathedral would normally be. There are only a few stone pews, as the ceremonies of the Yodhinala tended towards private gatherings. The main Altar is made of alabaster, bone and marble and may once have been inlaid in gold as well. The sides are covered in reliefs of the Goddess of Love and Pleasure, except for one side where the sculpture was crudely hacked free. Open gaps in the vaulted dome once held beautiful stained-glass depictions of Inala as well, taken by looters or destroyed by the Yodhblakat or later forces.

The Procession lights the altar through the broken dome, with little motes sparkling in the still air. And it's very quiet, which can be a bit disconcerting for an Eeee.

"This place is way too quiet," Alptraum comments as she paces about the dome, and peers at the altar. Now that she's here, she's suddenly nervous about what she was going to ask, and wonders about herself and this interest in being more feminine.

The Altar looks like it's been cleaned and polished recently. It may be that some still climb the Pilgrim's Path just to maintain it.

That makes it even more worrisome. Alptraum pauses and lifts out her shirt collar to peer inside at her modest chest, and the glint of the bars through her nipples. A few seconds later, she's massaging her own chest, and sighing a little. "I've gotten so used to having these," she mutters.

Still, they aren't as nice as they could be. In her default state, she's outdone by Cricket.

Which is a poor comparison since Cricket was augmented! But ... in spite of her worries, she heads over to the altar and hops her butt up on it. She lies back and then wiggles until she's fully laying on the altar and looking up at the ceiling.

She suddenly feels.. heavy. And sleepy. It couldn't hurt to just rest her eyes, right?

The last show of the night is finally over, and Alptraum feels like she can't draw a full breath, thanks to her costume suddenly feeling tight again. Her parents have already gone over to the kitchen wagon, so she should have the family wagon to herself.. but she spots the cluster of Eeee waiting in front of it. They're definitely some of the boys from town, and one has a wine bottle and another has flowers.

"The heck is dis about?!" Alptraum growls as she marches to the door and throws it open! "What?!?!" she barks.

"The heck is dis about?!" Alptraum growls as she marches towards the crowd! "What?!?!" she barks. "Y'gonna point and make fun oh me a dis ridiculous chest?"

The boys all turn to look at Alptraum, just as she runs out of breath. The vest is still too tight! If she can get into the wagon she can get out of it finally. "We.. uh.. really liked your performance," the one holding the wine says. "Thought maybe you'd like to share some wine. It's local!" He really does have a hopeful smile, but the outburst has also made him look slightly confused.

"I jus' wanna git in my wagon," Alptraum wheezes. "Too worn out for anythin' else." Which is ... sorta true! "Mebbe later?"

"Ye heard the lady, clear off," comes a familiar voice, and a steadying hand on Alptraum's shoulder. "There are dancin' girls over yonder," Scar says, and the Eeee boys reluctantly move on.

"T'anks, Scar," Alptraum says and pats his hand. She finally moves to go into her own wagon and get this stupid thing off.

Once inside, she feels a little dizzy, and of course Scar follows her. "How come you haven't let yer costume out yet?" he asks, keeping a steady hand on her. "It ain't like dis issue is jus' gonna go way."

"It might! I keep hopin!" Alptruam claims as she hurriedly undoes the top to relieve some of the, well, squeeze.

Once freed, she can breath again, but her boobs still ache. Now she feels the squeeze of her shorts more acutely now.

Alptraum work s on pulling those shorts off next, and she grumbles in frustration. "I hate dis body," she claims.

"Mebbe you shouldn't keep fighting it," Scar suggests, and begins massaging Alptraum's breasts. "Yer a girl. Dis is what girls grow into."

"Not Eeee, we don't get this," Alptraum claims. She starts trying to work one of her breasts and manually milk it to relieve some of the pressure. "I no even have kids!"

"Mebbe you got into a patch of weird magic?" Scar asks, and starts suckling on the other breast.

"Dis whole place is weird!" Alptraum says, exasperated ... and not wanting to admit the sucking helps.

The rat also kneads the bat's butt which is also something she never had to deal with before now. This is all probably Hexen's fault, somehow!

The activity makes her feel very warm and damp between her legs now. And a different sort of ache is growing there.

Alptraum mmph, eyes almost crossing. It drives her crazy when she loses control due to, well, urges! Soon one of her own hands are between her thighs, and her fingers trying to help soothe that ache.

Scar notices this, and scoops up Alptraum before laying her onto her cot. "Sure you not happy w' being a girl?" he asks, as he gets his trousers off.

"No! All the guys act weird and do weird stuff and try to leave me all sticky," Alptraum complains, but obviously isn't preventing anything.

Soon enough the rat is inside of her, and that feels just fine! And then he starts to move and the aches begin to recede. "You seem t' enjoy it though," Scar points out.

Alptraum twitches. "Mebbe. Sometimes," the bat claims as her hips start moving too. Mostly she just feels humiliated that she does like it, even when her chest is heavy and she can feel its weight and sway. Sometimes especially then.

The big rat kisses her then, which makes her feel warm and tingly just about everywhere, especially where their bodies are pressed together. And it just gets more intense from that point!

Alptraum gives up on complaining and instead just kisses back, and gets her hips moving so things feel really good. To the point of moaning good, that.

Things build up to the point of no return.. and then keep building. When things finally break it's like a wave that keeps washing through Alptraum's body, and it washes away coherent thought for a moment. But now it feels like things are going off with every one of Scar's thrusts, making the world go white, and making her hearing buzz.

This is new! And unexpected! And the bat is writhing like mad throughout. It's in moments like this the thought of not having someone inside her is actually disturbing and so ... empty. She's hugging hard onto Scar and shudder-whimpering. And also wondering ... if something else might be going on!

The rat has to stop and catch his breath, so Alptraum goes from a boil back down to a simmer. "Ye should move in w' me," Scar says, not for the first time. "You can be girl, an' I make you glad o' it, I promise."

"Hexen need a frien' to get in trouble wi', not a girlfriend," Scar says. "Scabitha can adjust yer clothes to actually fit you, an' I keep you happy. Mebbe dat why you always need milkin', just your body tellin' you to get regular sexin' up."

"No, just, no. Mebbe I think on it, but right no, no," Alptraum grumbles. "An mebbe you should be goin' home."

"Already?" Scar asks, and gives another hard thrust that causes fireworks in Alptraum's head. "You gonna accept dat yer a girl?" he demands, and then starts thrusting regularly again.

"Fine, fine, I a girl! I still don like it!" Alptraum whiiiiines! in the throws of those fireworks! And the mess she's making in her bed.

"An you wan' Scar to hump you ev'ry day so's you don't get up all achey and swollen," the rat prompts, squeezing the bat's breasts.

"Push it more?" Scar asks, and pushes deeper! "You no let yerself get all pent up, yeah?"

"One dat suck you too? Magic toy!" the rat claims, and starts going really fast. Which is very distracting, but when he finally explodes Alptraum feels it and explodes right along with him.

And Alptraum leaves some impressive claw marks in the wall above her head, and she can arch impressively too as everything explodes with more pleasure than anything has a right to have! It's like someone is trying to condition the bad to to relishing being female.

Scar kisses her then, and squeezes her boobs once more before finally climbing off of her. "Dat should keep you fer a bit, so you don' go drinkin' w' the townies," he says.

"I wouldn' anyway. Dey just want to git in me pants anyway," Alptraum claims, exhausted.

"Heh, no room," the Skreek points out as he pulls his trousers back on. "You rest up. Mebbe next time we try for a whole day t'gether, jes' to see how much we kin' take!"

Alptraum twitches at that. She grabs something soft and throws it at the rat! "Shoo!" she complains.

"No g'night kiss?" he asks, as he tries to dodge, but does head out. From behind, Alptraum really notices how broad his shoulders are and how his butt moves..

Alptraum rubs her eyes afterward! "Gah, stop that!" she complains at herself. Then she's looking down at her chest and accuses them of, "Causing all this weirdness!"

"AUGH!" goes Alptraum as she flops on her back and looks at the ceiling. "I no some weirdo perv!"

You're just a growing girl, the ceiling responds. You have to accept it as the blessing that it is.

It means change, but you've seen that that change can be good, the ceiling continues. Stop fighting it and embrace it.

Alptraum reaches up and literally embraces and squeezes her chest. "Embrace ... how?" she asks warily.

Just stop fighting it, the voice claims. So that it doesn't fight back, demanding your attention. Enjoy it when you want to, but do not condemn it.

"I no been fightin' ... but fine," Alptraum mutters, "I try. Still no movin' in wit a guy tho."

"Nothin! Just complaining about de guys an dere actin' weird," Alptraum claims as she sits up quickly.

"Ahh!" the two men next to the altar leap back at the sudden outburst from Alptraum. It's Romero and Ash, the barsunalas set to patrol the area. Alptraum feels a bit flushed, and her breasts ache slightly.

"What are you two doing here?!?" Alptraum demands to know as she sits up quickly. She also starts rubbing her own chest. "Where you trying to do weird things to me?!"

"We were just checking on things," Romero claims. Ash adds, "We didn't do anything, just found you.. sort of talking in your sleep. Are you alright?"

"Eh, fell asleep, felt weird," Alptraum claims and shrugs. "Should be fine, tho."

"Well.. uh.. anything we should know about going on here?" Romero asks. "For our report, I mean."

"No, the place has been quiet to my knowledge. Nothing odd going on. Though someone has cleaned the altar. I'm guessing former guests paying homage," Alptraum claims as she hops off the altar.

"So people still coming to worship," Ash says, nodding. "That makes sense. For Inala, I mean."

"I haven't seen them, but I have to assume that is going on. She was popular, after all," Alptraum points out. "But other than that, nothing has changed here that I've seen."

"We can go then, if there's nothing else you want us to report," Ash says. "Do you have any messages for the High Priestess or anything?"

"Nothing I can think of right now. If I think of anything later I will send word. I also apologize for startling you," Alptraum says and bows.

Alptraum rubs her face. "Well, that was weird," she admits and goes back to idly rubbing her chest since it aches.

But ... she didn't even ask Inala! Does that mean the other ... Alptraum pauses, then puts a hand right down her pants. She uses a few fingers to test if things are, well, stretchy. Though she has no idea if this would even test that sort of blessing.

It's hard to tell with just fingers. Things always just fit without necessarily feeling stretchier than usual.

So of course Alptraum has the bad urge to find Rugharo to really test it. "Mphh," she mutters and rubs over her face slowly.

And yet Alptraum is already walking in the direction of the cemetery in spite of her better judgement. Maybe someone will stop her in time!

The only ones who might are the two barsunala, and they're already in the cemetery (just because they patrol, doesn't mean they're allowed to fly).

Ugh, stumbling across them while doing that ... seems like such a bad idea. So, Alptraum changes course and decides to just go to the nest, grab a bath, and take a nap.