Jingle feels frustrated after her 'dream' of growing up female among the Gypsies. Part of it is that the toy Mave gave her just isn't the same as having a live partner. It doesn't bring her to paroxysms of ecstasy, and takes a lot of effort to achieve a lesser release. Even sleeping with it inserted only provides a slight bit of comfort. These feelings persist when she falls back asleep once more.

Crystal Cavern
Midway between Rephidim city and Underside, this is one of the largest underground chambers on the island. Unlike many others, this one is lit not by rainbow crystal, but by genuine Sifran crystal, which culminates in a central stalagtite formation that gives the impression of a giant, flat-floored ballroom lit by a grand chandelier. Directly under the stalagtite crystal is a slightly raised round platform with a flat top.

As usual, Jingle finds herself in the center of the raised dais looking up at the crystal formation. She can hear the approach of someone in the tunnel, due to how it echoes.

Not being able to actually talk means expressions of frustration are limited. So Jingle just sort of sighs and runs her hands through her black hair. She sucks in, then breathes out, trying to calm herself. It doesn't work that well, not given the tingle between her legs never really stops, nor does the fact she ... drips down there too. Her head tilts as she looks about, trying to figure out where the person is coming from.

The question is answered soon enough, when Jacoba trots in through the tunnel. The big Lapi is practically skipping, and hops onto the edge of the dais.. and waves while smiling.

Jingle arches her brow. She wiggles her fingers hello? "Hello there," she signs, "What brings me, well, here?""

The bunny points to his chest in reply.. then points down lower. He then turns to present his side, pats his own butt.. and starts running around the dais! It makes Jingle's haunches tingle a bit this time.

This confuses Jingle, well, a lot! She watches him circle several times in confusion and then tries to chase him after a bit!

Now that feels.. exciting! The new desire to chase and run seems intertwined with her other demanding desire. It even serves as stimulation. And Jacoba is fast, and has a cute little tail.

Jingle starts to go all out, which is, well, fast! She also has the urge to bite him! Grr!

Is the Lapi slowing down, or is he just teasing her before putting another burst of speed. How aggravating! But still exciting. It does make more of a game than a hunt. But eventually he'll time it wrong, surely, and she'll get within pouncing distance!

And that time comes when Jingle actually cuts across the dias and jumps at the lapi, arms spread and teeth bared!

Jacoba lets out a shriek, but can't change course in time! Jingle barrels into him as they both tumble, but she has the upper hand now that she's caught the bunny! That alone.. well, it makes her peak! Adrenaline is rushing, her heart is pounding and her lungs and haunches are burning, but it all feels wonderfully satisfying.

Jingle pins him hard to the floor and even bites onto his shoulder! Her legs spread as she grinds her hips down on him, squirming as she tries to find, well, bunny to 'devour'.

Jacoba is familiar with felines. He knows where to grab Jingle's hips so she can be guided to a smoother connection. And once he's inside of her, her haunches twitch pleasantly along with the other wonderfully warm sensations.

Jingle is anything but gentle; she's more like a wild animal as she satisfies her own rut using him ... and keeping herself riding the peak that started when she had pounced him. No thoughts other than the desire to be 'bred'. Sort of.

The Lapi helps, but with oddly gentle gentle touches to sensitive areas that still seem to ramp up Jingle's pleasure. He even makes what can best be described as 'prey' sounds while Jingle bites him. For the non-gentle stuff, he bucks up in rhythm with the rut.

And the cat just does not stop. Maybe she's trying to get him to peak too; that she needs to feel his release before her body will let her stop.

And she gets her wish. Jacoba probably has a prey-kink (but then again he works with Hortense, so that shouldn't be a surprise). This was also missing from the toy - the hit of hormones and other chemicals that come with the buck's release. Jingle seems extra sensitive to those in her current state.

Jingle's jaws release when his release comes. Her back arches and her pelt ripples. She growls up at the ceiling as ripples roll through her body, each burst from him a new flood of heavenly sensations as she rides out the bunny burst. When it does finally stop, she slows, then pants. And keeps him pinned for the moment.

Jacoba keeps his hips moving, but he's panting and showing more signs of exertion than Jingle recalls from any previous encounter. Then he bites her shoulder! Lapi have big teeth!

Jingle counters with her own growl ... and rolls him over so that he's now on top and she's on the bottom!

The buck then takes on the predator role, and tries to pin the Cheetah and dominate her! He starts his plan with several hard thrusts of his hips.

There's some growl and fight from Jingle .. but it's rather token really and she absolutely lets him take charge of the situation and rut her this time. And thanks to her condition, the cave takes on the scent of a savanite woman in extreme levels of 'heat'.

The buck does what he does best, bringing Jingle to the border of the brain-melting zone, and keeping her there. It's an effective distraction, so that Jingle barely notices with others take hold of her wrists and feet.

In fact, she doesn't notice it at all. Her brain has short of shut down to the point of just the desire to breed, to satisfy the Inala-amplified itch she bears. She's just making all sorts of chirping and growling sounds as she has one long stream of peaks while the lapi has her.

She feels the buck release again, and then he pulls away.. only to be immediately replaced by a young, fresh Savanite lad who energetically takes over. And this one kisses Jingle and cheek-rubs her, so she can get a smell of his masculine scent.

And when the right bits are in the right bits, it's somehow even better! Jingle purrs and gives the lad such a sultry look, and nuzzles him right back as her nostrils flare. Compatible male! Her body screams internally, and she in earnest rolls her hips.

The boy is a bit inexperienced, but with Jingle in this elevated state of arousal it only matters that he can move his hips.. which he does! Definitely a sprinter, this one. But Jingle is also being attended to by others. Raspy tongues are licking the sweat from her paw and foot pads while her current partner gets her over into the brain-melting zone with his rapid thrusting.

Jingle isn't even concerned about inexperience, he's a male, and savanite. That's all that is required! There is much purring and arching as she flows right back into that white fuzz of pure bliss.

The male makes a surprised sounding chirp when he reaches his own peak, as if this is the first time for him. He certainly feels like he's been saving up for the moment!

Jingle arches, and clenches inner muscles! Her body is intent on funneling the male's gift deep into her body and womb; pure instinct.

Her womb does sort of flutter in response to her intent. Her partner kisses her again, and you'd think he'd just run a race from the way he pants.

Were Jingle more aware, she might be worried by these odd sensations! But for now, she just kisses him back, gratefully.

The boy does pull away, once Jingle's grip allows it. She can't hold onto him with her legs, because those are being held and spread. There's a changing of the guard though, and a new warrior enters the fray. He's got a more grizzled chin, and a harder, larger body. He also shows that he's more experienced, making his entry slowly.. which is a bit maddening for Jingle in the state she's in.

There's actual growling as the boy is pulled away! She didn't want him to go! But she has no way to hold onto him with just one point of grip. The new one, though, is welcome and when it starts, she purrs. Of course his slow movements make her growl in frustration and buck her hips!

This partner responds by thrusting down once, to pin Jingle's hips, and sliding his arms under her, so that her upper back and shoulders rest on them and he can cradle her head in his big hands. Once he's got her supported properly, he moves his hips again. But they're aren't rolling or bucking or rutting. He pulls out and plunges. It's slower, but each impact is causing the over-stimulated Cheetah to peak.

And with each plunge comes a growl that ripples in to a chirping sort of purr when the peak hits! she also tries to really grab on and hold him with her only grip given her arms and legs are held down. Were she able to think, she might wonder if Inala is actually trying to get her pregnant to see if it's possible.

The big male keeps up the steady pace for awhile, but then begins to speed up. This brings Jingle to the overlapping-peaks zone, where the man decides to maintain that rhythm for awhile.

Jingle can't even really see in this state. She's just riding an insane pleasure wave that just keeps going. And going! She doesn't even know if she's growling, purring, or what, now.

Hopefully she's still breathing, at least. The ride ends with a powerful burst from the male, which causes Jingle to momentarily lose her memory of who and where she is. Then she starts breathing again, or at least is aware that she's breathing.

Like the previous, the savanite arches and clenches to guide that burst deep. It's a moment of intensity and white, then absolute nothingness for a hard to tell amount of time ... and then she can feel her own breath again. She tries to open her eyes.

The older male licks Jingle's nose, then pulls away for a fresh male to take his place. This one is probably around the same age as Jingle, right in between the first two in both age and build, but with a knowing twinkle in his eyes. He starts things off with a long kiss.

And surprisingly, her body still itches. She lifts her head into that kiss, which makes it hard for her to wiggle her hips and get his other ... accessory into the spot that is 'itching' so intensely.

The man obliges the demands of Jingle's loins, but he still doesn't stop kissing and nibbling and cheek-rubbing. He purrs deeply and calmly. He even massages Jingle's breasts and kisses her nipples before beginning to move his hips.

And Jingle encourages, nipping and nibbling back, and arching to try and encourage him to nurse on her if he can, too.

He doesn't have some set rhythm or technique, and seems more playful. He certainly understands Jingle's body language, and nurses a bit more forcefully while switches between rapid thrusts and slow deep ones, seemingly at random. It makes for more of a whole-body experience, certainly. Especially when he tries to tickle her.

And since she's held it's not like she can fight back! It's a lot more squirmy than the first two, and she's also a little more aware since it's not as constantly intense, too. She can also tell she's absolutely 'soaked' between her legs at this point too. She has moments where she can lament being a slave to instincts and needs, but when she gets closer to real worry, rushes of pleasure come to try and keep her from thinking too much beyond the need.

Her partner starts to move more steadily now, biting Jingle's shoulder and push as deep as he can with growing speed. Since he did get her sensitive parts time to recover a bit, Jingle gets to go through the ramping-up arousal again instead of the constant explosions.

Things settle right back into a 'rut' when the male bites down on her shoulder. Rolling hips and a whole lot of pleased purring as she feels the slow and lovely buildup.

Somehow it feels a lot more intimate, even if she can't use her limbs. And he purrs so nicely, especially when his chest is pressing down on her breasts, dragging them around a bit as he pumps his hips. He continues to get serious about this part, speeding up at a faster pace.

And Jingle nuzzles and rubs her cheek against the side of his head encouragingly as things build. This also means she begins to clench and 'nurse' with Inala's gate as her vision starts to go all white and tingly again.

It's more drawn out this time, which is less frightening than the overlapping peaks, but still one very long peak to handle. His release is also drawn out a bit as well.

And like the other peaks, there's an arch and pulling clench as she takes his peak, and she fades into her the white noise of intense bliss. She's sure she's purring and mewling, though!

When the fog begins to lift, Jingle gets kissed and her breasts squeezed one last time before her partner pulls away. There's little time for regret though, as a new one takes his place. This Cheetah is white, with just a bit of gold outlining his spots, and has clear blue eyes instead of gold. He's also pretty well endowed, as Jingle peaks immediately when he pushes into her.

Huh, this one almost likes like some sort of Inala-avatar, she thinks when he's sliding on top. Of course she can't admire or thing too long because he pushes in and she arch-mewls! She shudders all over as the peak ripples through her from head to toe!

Could Inala have sired a line of Savanites before? When he kisses Jingle, it's like connecting a circuit of pleasure that pours through her, from lips to loins.

Jingle locks her jaws with his and purrs into that kiss as pleasures overwhelm like being struck by lightning.

Every move the man makes causing pleasure, and every touch cause that spot to peak, whether breasts or shoulder or ears. The sliding in and out makes things ramp up on the inward leg and ramp down on the outward one.

Jingle definitely suspects this is some sort of Inala-creature now! Which is worrisome on its own; Inala loves to mess with him, or her, and lately seems determined to make him a her mentally as well as physically ... so completely. There's a pitiful sort of whine, but she can't really resist it; it just feels too good. She's in bliss and completely controlled by hormones and heat now.

Even the stone floor begins to feel soft.. or not there at all, as is they're on a cloud. Even the light begins to change, for the chaotic rainbow to a something softer. Sure enough, Jingle finds herself in one of Inala's familiar garden bowers.

"Bluh," says Jingle. Well, an approximation of it since savanite vocal chords don't really work well for speaking. She does try to sit up slowly, though.

"What the ... ?" Jingle thinks as she struggles to sit up and look at her belly. She also reaches down and feels it.

"I hope this isn't ... real?" Jingle wonders. Is this like the others, a strange spiritual pregnancy like her others? This is making her quite the supplier of new Inala-children!

"Does it really matter?" Inala purrs in Jingle's ear. "Isn't what you want?" Cheetahs aren't supposed to talk, but Inala cheats. The voice makes Jingle's nipples start to leak.

"Yes," Jingle answers, somehow able to talk here too, it seems. "I love the feeling of being with child. Of being a mother."

"I'm the only one who can give that to you," Inala claims. "I know Gorphat will make you feel what others are going through, but that's not your own experience. And with me, it will be wonderful, as it should."

"But not in any place other than here," Jingle mutters as she pets her swollen belly. "It will have to be enough." The comment about Gorphat induces pangs of worry. Will Gorphat be angry over, well, this?

As if reading her thoughts, Inala says, "Gorphat can twist this miracle, but can't erase it from your memory. You don't come to me as willingly as you do to her, but do you not prefer to be with me?"

"I do," Jingle claims as she continues to pet her belly, purring. "You encourage me to be ... female. And enjoy all it offers."

"Mmmm, I also encourage you to be male at times," Inala claims. "But you're capacity for pleasure is so much greater this way, isn't it?" the goddess asks, and also rubs Jingle's belly with a hand. This makes things twitch.

"Being filled by a male, and seeded, is so much greater than being the one who seeds," Jingle confesses, and squirms some, "Sex is so much better as a woman most of the time". She also worries Inala is messing with her mind! Most of the time, indeed, sex as Nicora is torture, traditional or Gorphat-style, and Nicora probably has every known STD at this point, too.

"It is my sacrament," Inala claims. "And this is my power," she adds, rubbing lightly over Jingle's belly. "Gorphat and I are two ends of a balance. Reflections of one another. It wasn't always so, but we must adhere to the Lore, however it may change."

"You're trying to twist me too," Jingle says, but it's not with malice. More just a fact. "Your Sister may seek revenge for this."

"Don't think of it as revenge," Inala purrs, as the beings in Jingle's belly kick again. "It's just.. maintaining balance. Now, are you ready?"

Inala plays the midwife this time, rather than summoning the Skreeks or others. "Spread your legs," the white Savanite instructs, "You've done this before."

Jingle has. She eases her legs apart as far as she can and draws them up so her knees are bent and footpads on the 'ground'. There is surge of pain sharp pain, then a rush as her water breaks and flows from between her spread thighs. "Nnng," she whimpers.

"Deep breaths, not whimpers," Inala instructs, and place a hand on Jingle's belly. "Purring is fine, so long as you take the deep breaths before you push." The white Cheetah's other hand is.. going up inside.

And the contractions come. Waves of intense pain, and the urge to push. And push she does, while breathing out in staticky pulses.WWhen they ebb, she breathes in and goes through the pulses of pain and clench again, then again. The pain is intense, nearly as bad as anything she felt as Nicora; it's amazing how much the urge is to go through this anyway.

Inala helps, making sure everything is lined up properly. It's always twins with Inala, after all. And the first one is starting to emerge! "That's good, everything will be fine," Inala tells her, and uses the hand on her belly to help with the pushing.

Inala's gate is stretching disturbingly wide now, though it did when Rhugharo took her too, so the width-sensation is not too out of the ordinary. More intense pain and staggered breathing as she pushes. A pause to breathe deep, then the pushing begins anew. "Aaaaaguh!" Jingle cries out, tears running down her cheeks from the pain.

"One more push," Inala says, and has both hands ready. "The first one is crowning."

There's a pause, then a deep breath and one long and first push as Jingle cries out!

There's resistance, and then suddenly their isn't as Inala pulls the cub free. The white Savanite bites through the umbilical cord, and sets the newborn on Jingle's chest, where it seeks out a nipple. It's also white with gold-rimmed spots, like Inala's avatar. One down, one to go!

Jingle takes a pause there to help position the infant and help it latch onto a nipple to nurse. That part feels lovely. Then the clenching pains resume and Jingle cries out once more! Soon the periods of breathing followed by intense pain and pushing come right back as the second twin prepares to enter the world.

Since things are already dilated to the right size, the twin emerges with less effort. Followed by the afterbirth, which leaves Jingle's belly feeling a bit deflated. But then she has the second cub latched on and nursing. That in itself almost immediately makes the memory of the pain fade away.

There's a final cry as the second slips free, leaving the pore savanite open and oozing. But that's quickly forgotten as she starts cuddling the pair and helping them nurse. She even starts purring and feeling rather fulfilled and ... satisfied.

As expected, the infants grow bigger with each suckle, making it progressively hard to hold onto them. But once they're tall enough, they just lie to either side of Jingle and lean over to continue nursing.

And Jingle continues to pet on them and purr. And for the time here, at least, seemingly free of that damnable itch of being in heat. Whether when she 'wakes' if it will be gone, only time will tell. But for now, she cuddles her children.

The twins stop nursing once they've reach an adolescent stage, and start to move on their own, sitting up and looking around.

Jingle also finally sits up, and groans, then rubs over her face. She is such a pawn sometimes, and it's blatantly apparent right now.

"Such fine children," Inala says, returning to her Eeee form. "Perhaps you will be able to bring my Temple back to life someday.. but this dream may well be all that ever remains." The newly adolescent spirit-cheetahs begin to groom Jingle's checks with their tongues.

Jingle arches her brow. "It doesn't have to be. I still seek futures for all if possible," she claims. "Sentimental, I suppose."

Inala smirks, and says, "Oh, this Temple will probably be rebuilt, but I'll just be a servant in it. Just another aspect of the true goddess. And I can't ask you to go around impregnating all of the pretty women in Babel so that they and their children will fill it once more."

Jindle snorts a bit at that. "No, I suppose you can't do that," she has to concede. "Still, I suppose it is a better fate than oblivion."

"I've been humbled enough to make a supporting role easier to accept," Inala admits. "Babel has barely noticed the loss of the Yodhinala. I imagine a certain ex-Yodhinala has filled the role with normal citizens."

"Most of the Goddesses have barely been noticed as lost, truth be told," Jingle points out. "Or at least relegated to niche positions now."

"I'm sure the Yodhbarada are still in the thick of things," Inala suggests, sitting at the end of the bed.

"Mm, only somewhat, I'd say, since I work with them from time to time," Jingle claims as she continues to lie back and simply relax. "Once the General is dealt with, we'll see where things go."

"People will always keep dying, scheming and looking for revenge," Inala laments. "They can reproduce on their own without me though."

"But! Not in as interesting of ways," Jingle points out. "Creative and fun ways makes things more interesting."

"Most of the create and fun ways my Temple catered to would be cause of execution anywhere else," Inala points out. "It wasn't all massages and cures for reproductive dysfunctions.. which Babel is notorious for.. and adopting out the Yodh's children. Those were the actually important things though, so maybe I'll still get to handle the childbirth and helping people get pregnant parts."

"Those are the most important parts, anyway," Jingle notes. "Time will tell. I can't see or know the future. Dagh, or if I'll even be in it either."

"At some point, Babel will need to stand on it's own without you," Inala says. "Without any of us. It's never really done that before. Hopefully the people can figure it out, even if they've been used to being ruled by selfish immortals and capricious deities."

"Which I admit makes me feel a bit sad. I like mattering, I guess," Jingle admits. "But no, I can't keep my eyes on it forever."

"Once all of the supernatural threats have been dealt with, the people will just have to deal with the existential ones themselves, without our input. We do not give the best advice. Not that anyone really seeks it out."

"Hey, I give good input! Usually! Sometimes," Jingle tries to argue, but has to stop as she has a few after-cramps to deal with. "And I have asked, sometimes."

"Did you think the advice we gave you was good then?" Inala says climbing the rest of the way onto the bed to sort of loom over Jingle. "Did I give you good advice?"

"I think the advice was ... entertaining? And at least helped work out a direction," Jingle replies, diplomatically, and with a straight face.

"Mmm-hmmm," Inala goes. "I teach through experience. Most of the Kindly Ones do. It might be pleasant, or it might be an ordeal, but there's always something to learn from it. And the person doesn't learn something.. well.. that's their fault."

Jingle smirks. "To be fair, most people don't learn until they experience it, or pain from it. People are obnoxiously stubborn that way," she admits. "I deal with that all the time, too."

"Mortals don't have time to constantly learn things about life, when they must use every spare moment to actually live it," Inala suggests. "Did that sound suitably wise, or was it just nonsense?"

"Partially wise. It's more that most don't want to acknowledge things that differ with how they want it to me. And refuse to accept it until something forces them to, usually painfully," Jingle claims and even shrugs a little. "Though I think we have all been guilty of that too."

"Well, it may be the most efficient way of dealing with things," Inala says, and tilts her head in thought. "Rationalization. I'm not certain that gods do it or not. We are what others believe us to be."

"Yes, and what is imagined is often not ... rational. I mean, here I am giving birth to children, and I used to be male," Jingle points out. "Not that I'm complaining, though. I find I prefer being female more now."

"You just aren't around enough beautiful, willing women," Inala suggests. "You are also what you believe yourself to be, to a point. Your form follows your desires."

"Women are not always insane," Inala claims, and grins. "Perhaps it can be overwhelming at times, however."

"Never said they were. I said I was," Jingle remarks, and smirks. "Look at those I hang out with. Even right now."

Jingle smiles, reaches out, and pants Inala's shoulder. "Of course not," she says, all smiles.

"Is that sarcasm?" Inala asks, one eye narrowing in suspicion. "Perhaps I should let those foreign gods find you. They've been sniffing around."

Inala just rolls her eyes, and says, "Frivolous ones. I think they may be acquaintances of Zakaro."

"Ahhh," Jingle says and nods. "But you'd never give me up, not when I give you such lovely children..."

"But it could be a learning experience for you," Inala claims. "Since you've been doing things with Zakaro."

"I've been doing things with all the Babelite Goddesses. That's plenty," Jingle claims.

"Well, they are Zakaro's.. friends.." Inala notes, sounding a bit iffy about the friends part. "Perhaps they just want to know how she's been doing."

"I think they're the Gods of Luck, or somesuch," Inala says. "Zakaro is often considered the Sister most associated with luck, after all."

Jingle's ears twitch as she considers this. "I'm not sure having even more Gods interested in me is a good idea. Where are these Gods from?" she inquires, head tilted a little.

"Well.. all over the world," Inala says. "They come from different cultures. At least one of them is also associated with the Underworld.. a sort of Barsunala figure. Well, plus a bit of me as well. Foreign gods seem to embody things which you might not associate with on another.. or else they just can't afford to have a properly full pantheon. Honestly I suspect most of them are just demigods."

"Well, at least it's not the one from the cult that had the crystal hand that tried to eat me," Jingle has to admit. "So, these are sort of like the Mother of Bones? Or not even that impressive?"

"The Mother of Bones?" Inala asks. "I'm not very familiar with.. hedge-gods.. I'm afraid. But I imagine they have time on their hands if they can get together like this, so I've no notion of just how important they are among whomever it is that worships them."

"The Mother of Bones is a Sylvanian God. She's taken up residence, so to speak outside of Babel in the wilds. I suspect she followed me," Jingle claims. "Are these gods asking to join us here then? In this place?"

"They're just looking for you, but it's not like they can just find you here," Inala says, just as a white-furred Kattha wanders into the bower. She's got long white hair and is wearing an Olympian-style purple toga held with a belt with an odd golden disc for a buckle. She's also got a black blindfold on, the lower part of which secures a translucent black veil.

"I met an Olympian once," Jingle comments as she watches this one get led in. "On a ship when I first came to Babel. She was hunting spirits and got really angry with me when I interrupted her work. Never saw her again, though. I think her name was Ariel, but I may be mis-remembering."

"Sister Ariel," the feline says. "I am Sister Tyche. Forgive me if I am intruding, I just happened upon this place By Chance."

"Huh, so I did remember correctly. Surprising," Jingle has to admit. "Why are you blindfolded?"

"Because Fortune is Blind," Tyche claims. "More reliably so than Justice in practice."

"I'm a god, Symbolism is the same thing as Actuality," Tyche notes. "I've never taken off the blindfold, so I honestly do not know if I'm blind or not. I've never really had need of sight though."

"And where are the rest of you lurking?" Inala asks, not very happy about someone just stumbling across her domain.

"Why not take it off, then? Try something new?" Jingle suggests in amusement. "I am curious as to why you would be looking for me, though."

"Brother Cernunnos is hosting the gathering this time," Tyche informs Inala, and turns to Jingle with an odd expression. "I choose not to take it off. Are you then the current Barsunala, who has been attending Sister Zakky?"

"I may not look it, but yes," Jingle agrees, brow arching. "Given I'm right now a woman, and a cat. But ... yes."

"That's not your usual state, I take it?" Tyche asks. "And there is nothing wrong with being a female feline."

"No, it is not my usual form. I'm normally a male Eeee, but this one here has made sure I'm stuck like this for the forseeable future," Jingle claims and thumbs towards Inala. "And no, there is nothing wrong with it. I enjoy being such."

"Ah, so you are lucky to be in such a form," Tyche comments. "Would you be willing to journey to our get-together to let us know how dear Zakky is faring?"

"Luck is only dangerous if it is bad luck," Tyche claims. "We are not the gods of bad luck."

Jingle looks at Inala and arches her brow a little. "Is it dangerous?" she asks her for a second opinion.

"Probably no more dangerous than associating with Zakaro," Inala replies, but also shrugs.

"I didn't know I had that option. You usually named them," Jingle points out. She looks to the twins, pondering and feeling weird about them at the same time. She even twitches a little. "Kaelani and Iktomi," she suggests.

The two Cheetahs purr loudly and proudly at their names. "I'm not that familiar with Savanite names," Inala admits.

"I'm not either," Jingle admits, and shrugs. "So, you really want me to leave, then?" she asks, pouting, even.

"Oh, you can come back when you're done with Zakky's friends," Inala promises. "It's her turn with you, after all."

"Well, all right, I'll go with them ... for a bit," Jingle says, with the emphasis on bit. "I'll go meet her other weird friends. I didn't even know she had friends."

"Friends are important," Tyche claims. Then she spins the wheel on her belt, which makes clicking noises until it stops and makes a chiming sound. "Follow close," she advises, and then turns and starts down the steps without actually waiting for Jingle to get to her feet.

Jingle has to scramble to her feet, which at least she is fast at doing. Then she's hurrying after Tyche. Naked, though. She didn't think about trying to find clothing first.

The Kattha stops at the bottom of the steps, which at least gives Jingle a chance to catch up. Then she spins her wheel again, producing a different sounding tone, and turns to walk straight for a flower bed.

Jingle watches this, head tilted, and wondering. She can't help but feel like she's walking into a trap, but instead shrugs a little and continues on, following her. She's walked through plenty of flower patches, so it's not too odd.

The go into the flower bed, then Tyche stops to spin her wheel again, which leads back the way they just came.. except the garden is gone and they're walking to a forest. After a few more turns that lead deeper and deeper, Jingle hears the sound of running water and the reach a bridge. It appears to be guarded by three Akwavi wearing overalls, with two of them wearing what are probably wigs, one starched into spikes and the other with bangs that cover the eyes. "Who goes there!" the one with the bangs demands.

The three otters confer in whispers, and then the one with the bangs says, "Who's there?"

"No, to whom," Tyche corrects. This seems to break the Akwavis brains for a moment. "Oh.. uh.. yeah, come right along then," the lead one says, and leads the way over the bridge.

Jingle rubs her face. Otters. She knows of them all too well. She even sort of groans into her palm. Her expression gets even more confused when they start in on what seems like a really old joke. A joke that fails, and leaves Jingle a bit confused too. "So ... what exactly is going on?" she finally asks Tyche. "I don't understand."

"Those were Hotei's attendants," Tyche explains. "Meanie, Minie and Moe. He finds them entertaining."

"That would certainly pose a challenge to Minie," Tyche admits as the cross the bridge. There's a meadow not too far ahead, and a swaying hammock between two trees the border it. "Hotei is the luck god of Happiness," Tyche explains. There indeed a happy looking otter in the hammock. He's got a bit of a belly, wears a conical hat made of reeds and has a clay jug at his side.

"What ho-ho-ho, Fortuna has returned!" the otter announces. "And she brought a naked spotty babe with her! My lucky day!"

"Luck god of ... happiness? Isn't that two things?" Jingle has to ask. She also replies, "Hey, I'm normally a grumpy dude, not a spotted babe!"

There's a smaller female otter in a grass skirt nearby, wearing a crown of flowers. "Well, must be your lucky day too," the girl comments, and offers up a woven ring of flowers to Jingle.

Jingle accepts the woven ring of flowers. "Ah, thank you?" she tells the female otter and even offers her a small smile. "I wasn't saying there's anything wrong with being this, of course ... just that it's not the normal me. I'm the Barsunala."

"I'm very fond of bars," Hotei claims, struggling to get out of the hammock now without falling. "As are many of my followers!" He eventually gets down with the help of the girl. "Ah, thanks again Eenie, what would I do without you?"

"You'd be dead within ten days, most likely at the hands my incompetent brothers," the girl replies.

"Not that kind of bar. I was told you were looking for me. The you being all of, well, you," Jingle says and gestures to everyone.

"Well, I'm certainly glad to be looking at you, but you probably want to meet the rest of us," Hotei says. "Or we want to meet you. And here you are, as luck would have it!" He then sort of waddles into the meadow. "Just walk this way," he says, and does a little booty-shake before moving on.

"Do not try to imitate how he is walking," Tyche cautions. The three brothers are following him and doing the little shake as well.

Once in the meadow, there's actual sunlight. The grass is a bit deep, and full of motion as Cervani children gambol about. In the center is a large flat stone with what appears to be a pile of gold and jewels piled atop it. At the edge of the forest is another group of Cervani, mostly very pretty does, decoratively surrounding a sort of throne that's also a tree. Sitting on the throne is a buck with a very large rack, wearing elegant robes. Gold and silver chains hang between the tines of the antlers, and gems hang down like a chandelier. The tips of the antlers look a bit bloodstained, however.

Cervani. She knows those can be dangerous, and horny, and not in the antlers sort of way, either. "Who is that?" she finally tries to ask Tyche as she peers about in this pile of grass and sunlight. She's also boggled that Zakaro would even hang out with these folks!

"I assume you mean our host, Cernunnos," Tyche says. "The god of wealth, life, fertility and the underworld."

"Then yes, that is Cernunnos, the god of wealth, life, fertility and the underworld," Tyche confirms. "Worshipped in the western wilderness of Nordika."

"He looks rather dangerous. Did all of you bring me here to get rid of me?" Jingle asks, warily.

Hotei seems to be heading towards the throne, then lurches to one side, hopping on one leg as he leans towards the central stone. Meenie, Minie and Moe try to imitate the move, but Minie runs into Meenie and they fall over and immediately start of fight with.. slaps and pokes. Until Moe bonks their heads together and pushes them in the right direction.

"We want to know how Zakky is faring," Tyche claims. "We believe you are responsible for her welfare, or at least helping her to regain her strength."

"I never pictured her as having any friends," Jingle has to admit. "But she seemed ... okay the last time we talked. Perhaps a bit better since I am helping Her Daughters find purpose and place again. That in turn should be helping her." She also peers a bit at the clowning three otters, then just shakes her head. Yep, that's how she remembers otters!

Hotei tries to get up onto the stone slab, and the three goofballs eventually manage to push him onto it. He goes to the pile of treasure and nudges it with his jug a few times until it starts to move. Or rather, uncoil. A Naga rises up, scales like golden coins and covered in jewelry and Zolk. "I wasss napping, Hotei," the Naga chides.

"Oh great Vasudhara the Golden," Hotei intones, and then bows. It isn't clear what keeps his hat on but it doesn't fall. "We have a guest! The Barsunala, demigod and psychopomp of Babel, come with news of Zakaro."

"That is Vasudhara, one of the older gods of the Savan," Tyche explains. "A god of luck and wealth, both material and spiritual."

Jade green eyes locate Jingle, and a long black tongue emerges to taste the air. "The Ssssavanite?" the Naga goddess asks.

"Barsunala," Jingle answers, "I'm not usually a savanite. This is Inala's doing."

"Mammals and their visible genitalia," the Naga sighs. "Well, let's introduce you to Cerny. He likes females."

Vasudhara knocks Hotei off the rock as she finishes uncoiling and slithers down into the grass.

"That is worrisome," Jingle has to admit, ears folding down a little too. "Still, I suppose I should say hello." And thus, she heads towards the dias a bit now, though looking rather nervous while doing so.

"I gotcha!" Moe declares, only to be pushes aside by Meenie. "No I gotcha!" Neither of them catch Hotei.

As they all approach the throne, the buck perks up a bit. "Welcome, Barsunala.." he says in a deep voice, then leans forward to squint a bit. "I was expecting an Eeee."

"I'm usually an Eeee, yes. This form is due to Inala's influence, as is my current gender. My apologies," Jingle says and bows deeply. "I can assure you, at least, that Zakaro is fine and I am indeed working to help her."

"It's been... how long has it been, Tyche?" Cernunnos asks the Olympian. "We only do this every hundred years, so it has been one hundred years," the goddess replies.

"It's been one hundred years since we've heard from Zakaro," the buck says, as if his early slip never happened. "Is it true that the mortals tried to destroy her sect?"

"Practically succeeded, along with most of the other temples," Jingle says. "I've been helping them adapt and rebuild."

"But she is still the goddess of power and fortune, isn't she?" Cernunnos asks. "She hasn't been replaced?"

"She is, though significantly weakened by the events. Her people are scatted and scared, but that is improving," Jingle explains. "They are finding new purpose and roles."

"She is not in any danger of fading though, is she?" the big buck asks, and gestures for Jingle to come closer.

Jingle does take a few steps forward. "Well, there is that risk, but I do not think it is likely," she says as she gets much closer. "I've managed to protect them all to some degree."

Cernunnos picks up Jingle and sets her on his knee. "What sort of help does she need?" he then asks her.

"Help? Mostly it's making sure Her children have places and roles in Babel. To feel important and needed again. To have a way to give back constructively in the new order of things," Jingle tries to explain. "Being useful, being a part of the city would help her regain belief and thus some power."

"Babel doesn't really have festivals that I know of. They've had some shows, but that was a long time ago now. I'm not even sure if it could be done now. Maybe if everything was done as a 'History of Babel and finding ourselves in our past' so to speak. Not the bad parts, but our own unique history and what we can learn from it. Or something. I don't know," Jingle sort of babbles and shrugs.

"Zakaro didn't share a lot about Babel with us," Cernunnos says. "We aren't city gods, or part of a state religion. We depend on festivals as much as actual prayer. So our suggestions may not be practical. But if her followers are being taken care of, that should at least sustain her."

"To be blunt, Babel is a very messed up city that has been manipulated by Amenlichli," Jingle explains. "I'm sure you know that name,"

"And right now, the old Goddesses of Babel are in a transition to being more like how you're sustained than my how they were in the past. It's hard on all of them. And many would claim I'm an idiot for even trying since they were very corrupted. But they weren't once, and there are good aspects to them and what I try to foster when I can," Jingle adds. "And for their more negative desires, I let them use me as an outlet."

Vasudhara hisses at the name, then Tyche says, "We don't say that name. We use Necropolis instead. We have noticed change in Zakaro over the centuries, but she is more bound to Lore than we are. But she was still usually quick to laugh, and very fond of banquets when she was host. And she could do magic, of course, which was always impressive."

"That one and I are currently at an active war. I've been destroying her puppets one by one," Jingle says.

"But the state of Babel's gods are directly due to her corruption. It will take time to ease into a better path, but it is going," Jingle adds.

"I'm not even a God," Jingle says, "Just stupid enough to try and take that one down."

"It is good to know that things are changing then," Cernunnos says. "I have had encounters with Necropolis, as undeath directly conflicts with my purpose. But my followers are unsuitable for her needs, so I mostly prevailed by convincing her it was a waste of her time."

"She would have gotten to you eventually. She's extremely patient, and plans long," Jingle says, then nods to Tyche. "It's now part of me and under my control."

Hotei and Vasudhara exchange looks. The Naga then says, "I have heard of a weapon that is prophesied to be her undoing. It has passed through many hands, but is no longer in our part of the world."

"So.. do you plan to end her?" Cernunnos asks cautiously. "Having Zakaro back to full strength would certainly help in such an undertaking."

"Want to, but can I? I honestly do not know," Jingle admits. "All I can do is try."

"We don't know what sort of strength or cunning it would take," Tyche says. "But we can tip the odds a bit in your favor."

"It won't be for a while yet. I'm nowhere near her island," Jingle notes, "Right now I'm just undoing some of the mess in Babel." She also pauses and adds, "And don't think I didn't notice that look about the shadow. You're worried I'm a new monster to worry about."

"We're wondering how effective it is against her creatures," Vasudhara says. "It hasn't been that long since her last appearance, and she managed it without her Shadow. But it may be that her resources are more limited without it, unless she has reproduced it."

"You are like me," the Cervani claims. "We care for both the living and the dead. There aren't many like us anymore."

"I never really thought about it that way," Jingle admits, "But I suppose that's true. I guess it's from seeing how others have lived that I learned to care."

"Demigods are susceptible to being unsympathetic," Tyche says, and reaches around a bit until she finds Jingle's leg and pats it. "Good on you for going in the other direction."

"It iss a shame that Zakky couldn't make it, but it iss good to know she is being helped," Vasudhara says. "All ssupernatural beings are weird. It is in the definition."

"You seem to have a lot of faith in me I'll be successful," Jingle says, "Hopefully I will. But ... I can't promise it."

"Yes.. but we have the Barsunala here," Cernunnos says. Turning his head to Jingle (which makes for a dazzling display as the light hits all the hanging jewels), he asks, "Is there anything we can do for you?"

Jingle blinkblinkblinks, admitting, "I have no idea?" She pokes out her tongue and jokes, "Every male present could have their way with me in every way possible?"

Cernunnos opens his robe to reveal his.. wand of fertility. It is certainly at the ready.. and probably always is, as his domain is also fertility.

Jingle stares ... and she's starting to drool in spite of herself. The urge to have that inside her in all possible ways is suddenly quite strong. So, she rubs her face and tries to look away.

"You might be too big for Akwavi," Hotei admits. "Not that we wouldn't give it a try anyways!"

The musk is also very strong. And looking away doesn't help, as the buck shifts a bit and the log is suddenly resting against Jingle's leg.

The musk really doesn't help. Before she's even completely aware of it, she's slid out of his lap and is kneeling before him. Then she's leaned in and is nuzzle-rubbing against Cernunnos' ready bit. Both sides, coating her face in his musk. It leaves her looking rather, well, stoned. And then she starts licking it.

The god doesn't do anything to resist, but things certainly throb more and smell muskier. It also twitches. Some of the does look like they want to join in as well. The odor really makes Jingle feel odd, beyond being aroused.

Jingle is delicate with her licking, it's almost reverent. And greedy, as she's trying to keep him all to herself. She does this by trying to carefully 'swallow' him, as much as she can safely manage as she gives into the scent and how it's making her feel. She's slow and careful with everything as she tries to see just how much she can take purely by mouth.

Her tongue feels different. And her muzzle and neck.. longer? It isn't instant, but Jingle is clearly transforming into Summer the longer she licks.

It's also apparently welcome given she bleats rather needlingly to the cervani, then goes right back to lick after lick as her head swims. And the more doe she becomes, the more the musk affects, of course.

It's salty, which encourages the licking. Her little tail wags as well. But once she's gone full doe, Cernunnos grasps her shoulders and lifts her up into his lap... where she balances atop the pillar.

Jingle is lining things up with both hands and hips. "Please?" she whimpers at the cervani as she presses it against her gate.

And so with a buck of his hips, and pulling down on the doe, Jingle-Summer feels a bit of godliness push up inside of her. It's definitely a new experience! Even when Inala was being male, it wasn't like this. It is.. well, literally a religious experience.

The new doe arches and bleats! And she pushes herself down, trying to take all the godliness. She also lifts up here and there too as she actively rides the large male. It's more than a desire, it's a need. She has to do this, and she has to be filled with his 'gift'.

So the god and demigod rut, as only Cervani can. But it doesn't stay lap-based. It isn't clear to Jingle when things change up, since nothing is very clear, but she soon bent over on her hands and knees with the god of fertility (and other things) kneeling behind her, hands on her waist and really pounding his philosophy on life into her.

Which also feels like an oddly appropriate position for a doe, in the forest, rutting. So it only makes it better. Each push makes her bleat, and sound embarrassingly needy about it. Each thrust pushed back, and each with a clench to try and squeeze out the nectar of a god, so to speak.

Would the real Summer act like this? Probably. Cernunnos has a type, and everyone becomes his type. Being on her knees is a lot easier than standing up is ever going to be afterwards, certainly. It's a state of sexual gratification that takes no prisoners, hip-joints be damned! The god gets impossibly deep into her, unless it's just his divine force making it feel that way.

"Make me one of your does," Jingle-Summer actually even begs at one point as she pushes back. She's going to take as much as she can, no matter what. She has to. She must. It's a desire that cannot be tamed, ignored, or pushed away. Even if she has to be on all fours the rest of her life, she must have him.

She feels like she's glowing, and then the god's hot breath falls on her ears as he bends over her, planting his own hands on the ground right next to her own. Then he gets properly feral. It makes the doe feel like an actual animal, driven by pure instinct.

And of course it feels divine. And right, on all fours, with a strong male upon her back, taking her, filling her. No more real words, just bleats and cries as she's rutted. If this is what being an animal is like and what pure instinct drives ... she has no complaints; only the desire to stay in this state.

When Cernunnos fills her with his seed, it might as well be pure life energy, as intense as being run through with the Light of Nala itself. It rattles the doe's bones and blood and probably her teeth as it seems to saturate her being.

There's one heck of a bleat that comes from that, and a push back and clench like a vice. Her entire body feels like it's on fire, but in a good way, as she's flooded with such bliss. It's a beyond incredible feeling, and right now she does not want to leave this powerful man. She feels claimed, and content.

It is a wonderful feeling of satisfaction, and is followed by being hugged against the god's chest. "Well, it wouldn't be a proper reunion if someone didn't get lucky!" Hotei claims, before drinking from his jug.