Ava wakes up already feeling exhausted. She's not sure how much sleep she got, since Mr. Sackcloth really did make good on his promise to make love to her all night. The stallion is snoring though, so is probably deep asleep and not likely to grab her now, at least. The Vartan is in a dim cell of a room, the single candle having burned down to a lump during the night. There's no way of telling what time of day it is now, since there aren't any windows and Inn is underneath the plaza anyway. One thing Ava can be certain of is that her dress won't be in here, since she was already naked when the Rhian carried her in.
"Ugh," Ava mutters as she slowly sits up and winces. Egad, she forgot things can get sore when you engage in too much. So she's sticky and sore, great. There's a bit of eye rubbing before she gets to her hooves almost topples over as her leg muscles feel like rubber. "Feel like I've been humpin' a flagpole," she mutters as she staggers to the door to exit before anyone wakes up.
It takes a moment to get her bearings in the corridor. She can see the common area to her right, which means Cricket's office is down a bit on her left, along with the inn entrance. The powder room is probably past the common area.
Nothing is quite like the bow-legged waddle-walk of shame as Ava makes her way down the corridor, and tries to remember where he clothing is. She's never even been so drunk before she forgot where her clothes were.
She had taken them off in the common area, when Trilby volunteered her to help check the men's vitals.
So, she staggers off towards the common area like some sort of drunk zombie.
Breakfast hasn't been served yet, so the area is empty. A cursory search doesn't turn up the ultra-skimpy dress though. Would Trilby have taken it? One of the men? Or Tulani since she was supposed to bring back clothes for Alptraum to wear later?
"Aw, bugger," Ava grumbles, then winces as other areas ache. Seems Sackcloth did that too. She turns back around and wobbles her way back towards the front in search of decency.
There are several other doors along the corridor. The guests aren't likely to have any useful clothing though, since they basically just wear sack-cloth trousers, unless her dress is behind one of them. And then there's Cricket's room and office, where found clothes might have ended up.
Office it is, with a whole lot of grumbling as she continues her walk of shame down the hallway.
Grumbling can be heard with those with good ears, but that would just be Cricket or Mr. Fluff, and the Lapi's door isn't suddenly swinging open before the Vartan reaches Cricket's.
Ava knocks on the door, probably harder than she intends to, but. "Oy, you in there. Where ... are ... my ... clothes?" she asks.
"Come in?" Cricket responds from within, but with a hint of confusion.
So in goes Ava in all her disheveled glory. At least she didn't leave a dripping trail? "Yeah, yeah, I look awful," she mutters, "Trying to find my clothing."
"I thought you'd have left with Tulani and Mage Trilby," Cricket says. Whatever the hour is, the young Eeee is wide awake, robed and looking fresh. She also has a her kettle and Mateh supply though. "Do you remember where you left them?"
"Common room," Ava says and waves her hand back the way they came. "Not there now," she adds, then pauses. "I must be ruining all sorts of ideas of the nobility and regality of the Gods, eh?"
"Oh my, well.. Mr. Straw cleans up that area," Cricket says. "He might have them. He also does the laundry and other chores."
"What has been going on while I have been indisposed, used, and abused?" Ava inquires.
"Well.. Trilby finished her examinations and Tulani took her back to the Tower saying she'd be back later," Cricket says. "I've mostly been doing paperwork, since there's a positive identification for Zayn. Abu Dhabi at least isn't that quick to have people declared dead."
"I also had Mr. Fluff write his letter to himself," Cricket notes. "He asked Zayn to free Nasir and Samir."
"So ... everyone has been useful, other than me," Ava mutters, shaking her head. "Oh? Well, that was kind of him. Hopefully the real him will agree and do it."
"I haven't seen large shifts in personality so far among the recovered," Cricket says. "The tigers could have claimed he wasn't their master, after all, so he couldn't have been that bad."
"There are always differences, though. I mean, look at me. Every form I've used ends up a bit ... different. Some, wildly different," Ava points out. "But it is likely he was at least tolerable."
"You still remember who you are, though, and are actively adopting new personas aren't you?" Cricket asks. "I can take you to see Mr. Straw if you want."
"For the most part. The bodies have their own influences. Remind me to make your hormones nuts for a day," Ava deadpans. "And sure, he can hump you instead of me..."
"Mr. Straw is very docile," Cricket claims, and opens the door for Ava. "You may want to wash up too, and brush out your feathers a bit," the Eeee suggests.
"Why don't YOU wash ME?" Ava suggests, probably just to be annoying. Then back through the door she waddles. "I need a drink, or fifty."
"I don't know how to do feathers," Cricket admits. "Or.. hide. Vartans are complicated. Mr. Stitch would know."
"You can figure it out, and won't grope me," Ava points out.
At the one of the doors next to the common area, Cricket lightly taps. A few moments later it opens and Mr. Straw ducks his down so he doesn't hit it on the frame. "Good morning, Mr. Straw," the Eeee says. "Did you happen to find Miss Skye's dress in the common area?"
The draft Rhian flares his nostrils, and nods. Then he turns his back.. and turns right back around to have it in his thick hands. "Bath?" he asks, and gestures towards the common area.
Ava is standing mostly behind Cricket for some modesty. She reaches out and grabs it quickly, then nods. "Indeed, bath," she admits, "Thank you."
Without handing over the dress, the big equine just heads into the common area, going around the table to the corridor on the far side.
"Why don't you wrap your wings around yourself?" Cricket whispers to Ava.
"They tickle," Ava claims, but does so anyway. She also grabs Cricket and drags her along as she heads towards the bath.
The bath appears to be at the end of the corridor, past an open closet with towels and other linens. It's hard to see past Mr. Straw, who is doing something in there. Ava hears water splash, and then water stream. She spots a bottle with a feather on it that gets grabbed from a shelf, followed by a gurgle. Then Mr. Straw starts to back out.
Ava moves out of the way so the big guy can get by safely. "You're staying right here," she also tells Cricket.
"I.." Cricket starts to say, until Mr. Straw gives her the dress and a towel. He points to where a variety of brushes are hanging from the wall. Half of the chamber is a stone basin with a drain in. There's a sink where a hand pump is, and a ceramic stove with a water tank over it and a spigot. Inside the basin is a bucket of steamy water which has an oily sheen to it.
"You leave, I turn you into a slug," Ava says, gravely. Then she lets go and heads into the basin to figure out how to operate things. "Rivers are easier," she mutters.
Mr. Straw mimes picking up the bucket and dumping it over his head.
So, Ava grabs the bucket and just ... dumps it over her head!
It's pretty warm, if not hot. And the water feels oily, probably specifically for cleaning feathers. Of course Ava has an immediate urge to shake out her wings and torso.
Instead, she stands there and sort of ... drips. She also starts looking for a brush.
There are several different brushes, which aren't labeled. Eventually Mr. Straw reaches past Cricket and selects two of them: one for feathers and one for fur. "You didn't puff," he notes. "Stitch puffs."
Ava stares at both of them for a bit. Then she, well, shakes herself out violently, flinging oily water everywhere!
Cricket turns to avoid most of it. Straw is behind and doesn't flinch. Instead he reaches past the Eeee to turn up the wick on the oil lanterns over the sink. There's an obsidian mirror above it, so more light helps. He also gives Cricket a little shove afterwards, so she has to step into the chamber, and after a moment of confusion starts using the towel to dry Ava's lower half and tail.
Ava looks at the ridiculous fluff in the mirror. "I look like a toy," she squawks, horrified, blinking. Then she looks for a brush similar to the one Straw grabbed so she can start taming ... herself.
The soft brush works well to get the feathers in line. And while Cricket works below the waist, Mr. Straw uses a different brush to get the feathers along Ava's back and wings.
Ava feels weird. Well, weirder. She already felt weird. But at least ache is going away and she doesn't feel as much need to stand so spread-legged. For now, she just works a bit on preening, which is surprisingly comforting.
"Keep chest floofy," Mr. Straw advises. "Hide nipples."
"They are hard to hide, guys look for em," Ava counters. Though she is working on ... fluffing.
"Vartans like tails," Straw claims. "Can't 'preciate boobs with beaks."
"Rhians are all about butts too then?" Cricket asks from below.
"Nah, all good," Straw claims. "Feathers tickle though."
"It isn't only vartans that oogle," Ava points out. She also then drapes her tail on Cricket's head for that.
"Ack, still wet!" Cricket complains. Mr. Straw asks Ava to turn so he can brush the inside of her wings.
Ava does turn, then repositions her tail back on top of Cricket's head anyway. Wet, indeed!
Cricket attacks the tail with the towel in response, while Straw brushes out the inside of the wings as best he can, and Ava can't exactly spread them inside.
Ava handles that by moving until she's against one wall and spreads the opposite side wing out as much as she can. Then she does similar for the other when the time comes. She's at least not thwacking Cricket with the tail anymore.
"I'm not polishing the hooves," Cricket says as she stands back up after drying the lower half of the Vartan.
"You're polishing the hooves," Ava adds just after that, and manages some sort of grin. Kinda. Might be a frown. Not like their faces move much.
"We don't have hoof-polish," the Eeee claims. Once he's done brushing, Straw reaches to squeeze one of Ava's thighs. "Still sore?" he asks.
That elicits a squawk! "Yes, a bit," she hisses soon after, her leg sore again just from that.
"Come sit," Straw says, grabbing onto one of Ava's hands and tugging her out of the bath, forcing Cricket to scramble out of the way.
Ava follows the tug. Though with a free hand she tries to grab Cricket to drag her along too. She's not getting out of this!
"I don't know what's happening," Cricket complains as she get pulled in. Back in the common area, Straw directs Ava to one of the lounge chairs. It's sort of reclined, with elevated padding for the legs.
Ava wobbles her way to the chair and flops down hard in it. There's a bit of shift and adjust to actually get settled though. "Sorry, I need you here as a buffer," she tells Cricket. "They'll behave around you."
"They will?" Cricket asks. Mr. Straw kneels down to start massaging Ava's legs. Sackcloth may be the medic, but Mr. Straw has clearly dealt with sore muscles before. It hurts at first, since it's more soreness than strain, but the stretching helps with that.
Ava looks rather uncomfortable for a bit before things start to relax. "You're in charge here, are you not? And effectively a high priestess," she points out to Cricket. "They're scared of you."
"Nobody is scared of me unless they have something to hide," Cricket claims. "These men are the opposite of having something to hide."
"They're scared of you," Ava claims. "They haven't tried to flee. Any one of them is stronger than you, even the bunny."
"Supposed to be scared?" Mr. Straw asks, looking between the two. Then he chuckles. "That like being scared of me."
"Everyone is scared of you," Ava tells Mr. Straw. "You could benchpress a building."
"No, I'm not scary," the big Rhian insists, then gestures for Ava to stand up.
"Are too," Ava counters as she stands up.
"Try walking," the scary horse requests.
Ava gives him an odd, sidelong look, then does try to walk a bit.
At least the waddle is.. mostly gone.
Ava hmms. "Mostly better," she finally concedes. "I don't walk like I humped a pickle barrel."
"Hmm, still tense?" Straw asks.
"Slightly, but not as bad as it was," Ava confirms. She walks a bit more to see if it gets any better.
"Here," Mr. Straw says, and sticks his wide hand between Ava's legs, then lifts her up off the ground like that. It might be the shock of it, the sudden need to find balance, or the way he flexes his palm.. but the Vartan experiences a very intense release before she's lowered back to her hooves.
Ava stands there looking very confused and weirded out. Also puffed out. "Uh," she stammers. "Blughpth noo?" Yes, her brain seems to have shut off.
"What just happened?" Cricket asks. "What did you do?"
"Just this," Straw says, and does it again, with the same results. "Release tension."
"She's not a building, so it isn't scary," the draft horse claims.
"Do it to her!" Ava blurts out after the second time. She's so puffed out she looks twice her usual size!
Cricket still has the towel, so applies it before things get messy. Straw just licks his palm clean.
"Oh no, couldn't do that," Straw says. "Cricket is too scary!"
"Also not tense and horny," the Rhian adds.
"Do it anyway!" Ava blurts and points at Cricket!
"Hey, no, you don't have to do anything Mr. Straw!" Cricket says quickly. "I'm small and delicate! Vartans are tough!"
"You alright now, Ava?" Mr. Straw asks the poofed out Vartan. "Or should I use fingers?"
"I AM FINE! NO FINGERS!" the overly fluffed bird thing blurts out rather loudly. A few bits of glass even vibrate.
This causes some doors to open in the main corridor. Cricket holds out the 'dress' to Ava. "I think you woke people up."
Ava puts the dress on really quickly. "It's your fault," she hisses at the Eeee.
"I think you really do need those drinks," Cricket claims. "I know where there's a spot that Vartans hang out," she offers as an olive branch. "And maybe I can make you something better to wear."
Amelia says, "AFK a moment, hiccups"
"Both would be appreciated. Being stuck as a girl is hard. Inala can be a pain," Ava grumbles a bit. "But do NOT tell her I said that!"
A few moments later, the two are back in Cricket's room, where the Eeee has stripped the sheets off her bed. "I think this should work," she claims, using her office shears to cut a strip lengthwise from the sheet.
"You have made, a gigantic hanky," Ava deadpans as she stares at it. "Or a diaper for a dragon."
"Such little faith in my skills!" Cricket laments. "Now take off that thing that is not a dress."
Easy enough to do. One undone knot and it falls to the floor. "You're a spy, not a seamstress," Ava points out.
"This is a no-sewing solution!" Cricket claims. She slings the cloth over Ava's head, then brings it over her shoulders and crosses it over her breasts. Then it goes back around under her wings, crosses at her back and comes back around to be tied under the breasts (in a big bow knot).
Since the sheets are black, nothing shows through.
"You made ... a boob sling," Ava remarks as she peers down at it. "A knocker rocker. A ..." She sort of trails off.
"Well, it's better than what you had!" Cricket says defensively, as she begins to cut off another section of the sheet.
"Marginally, yes," Ava says, then pauses. "Wait ... did you and your Sisters play dress up doll with each other?!"
"These robes are older than me, what do you think," Cricket says, and starts wrapping the new cloth around Ava's hips, tying it off at the hip like a sarong. Because it's a sarong. She also goes behind to cut the tail hole.
"I think you're mad at me," Ava admits as she tries to look over her shoulder and just gets a beak full of wing.
The tail gets pulled through, and Cricket says, "This is the best I can do, until you go see a tailor, but it's close to what I've seen young city Vartans wear."
"Avoiding my comment, so I was right," Ava remarks as she turns and twists a bit to get a look at herself. It's not bad. Better than what she had by a wide margin. "This is a lot better," she concedes.
"I'm not used to just getting dragged around," Cricket admits. "I don't know why you did that."
"Because you work for me?" Ava tries to claim, then shrugs. "Or because .. they do actually behave around you and I don't trust myself right now. With you there I have more to focus on than guys."
"So you'd have jumped Mr. Straw if I wasn't there?" Cricket asks, sounding surprised. "I thought you were worried about him jumping you!"
"Both ways are a concern, yes," Ava says. "I mean, I enjoy it, but it's frustrating to be a bit out of control of it. If things get stimulated I just can't stop. Thank the Gods I can't lay eggs."
"I don't think Vartans lay eggs," Cricket says. "I'd have to look it up. They're pretty secretive about a lot of things like that."
"It would be a bit of a shock to find out, don't you think?" Ava points out, "Just sittin' in a bar and suddenly VVRRRP! Egg!"
"There'd be recipes and markets for unfertilized Vartan eggs, if they laid eggs regularly," Cricket notes. "Like there used to be baby markets for Eeee."
Ava looks at Cricket. The sort of death-stare, I am going to eat your soul, look.
"What?" Cricket asks. "You've been in Babel long enough to notice that Eeee here have a pretty low birth rate. And not everyone can afford to be treated by the Yodhinala. So well-off families would adopt, and that was why there were baby markets for awhile."
"Then the Yodhinala pretty much took over the whole process," she adds.
Ava keeps staring at Cricket. "You ... do ... know ... I ... was ... abandoned ... yes?" she points out, slowly.
"You weren't abandoned," Cricket claims. "You were sent into hiding so the Sabaoth wouldn't claim your body. You had parents that raised you, didn't you?"
"And you think I was left in an easy life? You have no idea how hard Sylvania is to survive in," Ava says.
"No, I don't," Cricket says. "I never knew my parents though. But they were probably poor and wanted me to have a better life, and that meant either the Yodh or a wealthy family looking for children."
"My only real family were the Yodhbarada, and almost all of them are gone now," Cricket says. "And now it's me trying to offer them up to something better."
"We both have something now we didn't then, though," Ava points out.
"Desperation?" Cricket suggests.
"Each other," Ava answers.
Cricket smiles at that. "And excellent improvisational fashion skills," she adds. "The Plaza tower closest to the air docks has a place called The Roost built onto the side. Lots of sailor Vartan and locals go there for food and drink and company. Other feathered sorts too. It's a good place to overhear gossip and complaints."
"Ah, so it's the local shit-talking hole," Ava remarks as she considers that place. "Always good to know where those are. Also a good place to pick pockets, but you didn't hear that from me."
"Oh.. did you need money?" Cricket asks. Since Ava doesn't have any pockets.
"Probably," Ava admits, "If you don't want me swiping some on the way, or trying to get free drinks." She also ponders a bit, then tries to change her crest color just to be safe; back to red fade instead of just red.
"There's also a buffet, I think," Cricket says, and goes to her desk. She does something to unlock a drawer, and retrieves a leather purse. "This should be enough, it's fifty shekels," the Eeee says. "You should tie it around your neck, that's the most secure for flying. Different wingbeat than an Eeee."
Ava stares. "I've never carried that much money, ever," she admits.
"Sailors spend money like water," Cricket notes. "I expect the prices to reflect that."
Ava takes the pouch. "People really don't know what being poor is," she mutters, then ties it around her neck.
"Pour people usually barter or trade candles down in the Streets Below," Cricket notes. "Not much use there for coins."
"Common everywhere, not just here. Coins don't matter so much when survival does," Ava points out. "One advantage to being a vampire, at least, food was simpler in some ways."
"Because everything has blood?" Cricket asks.
"Prettymuch," Ava days, "And life is cheaper than anything."
"I thought death was cheaper than anything," Cricket says. "But I'm Babelite."
"Death is actually pretty expensive here."
"Same coin, different side," Ava says. "Remind me to take you walking with the dead sometime."
"I'm still trying to sort out the living!" Cricket claims, and gestures to the paperwork on her desk.
"You have the easy part," Ava notes, "Now imagine all of that, and being able to not do anything about missed desires and regrets." She pauses, then slumps. "Actually, I'll just stop there. I really need a drink," she admits, "And a chance to just relax some. Thank you for everything. I know I don't make it easy ... but, thank you."
Ava didn't much trouble finding the place, as only two of the towers faced the airship docks. Primus was still only a quarter of the way up the sky, reflecting off the Procession to add extra brightness to the day. Even before arrival, she could smell cooked pork products.
After checking that her makeshift clothing survived the trip (and having to adjust her upper attributes since larger means more shifting and weight), the vartan walks her way into the roost, hooves clicking on the weathered floorboards. Her head tilts this way and that as her eyes take in those present, and just where the actual bar is from which to grab a drink (or five).
It looks like the bar is in the middle tier, with the food on the lower and entertainment(?) on the upper. The lower two seem to have all of the activity though, with groups of men drinking and eating together, all Vartans (although there might be a Pegasus too). The men seem to group together by crew, even though they aren't exactly wearing matching uniforms - instead they have scarves around their necks, upper arms or worn like bandannas. There might be matching tattoos on their avian-scaled forearms as well.
Ava watched the groups for a short bit if for nothing else than to see how the heck you drink with a beak! And once she at least gets a general idea of how it works, she's making her way to the middle tier; her goal is booze tonight, for whatever reason. Everything else would be a bonus, more or less! She's totally not out hunting for a guy, or guys, nope. Or at least she's trying to tell herself that to prove she's not that hormone-driven and controlled.
The bartender is not a hot young Vartan at least. She's an old grizzled one with an eye-patch and a cigar. "Whatcherwant?" she says out of the side of her beak. "Mug rental's two shekels."
Ava drops two shekels on the bartop. "Decent ale, nothing too pricy," the younger vartan replies. "And not stale or old, gotta have a decent head, yannow."
"You 'llergic to corn?" the old woman asks. "Got new corn ale in. Kinda sweet."
"Nah, corn's fine," Ava agrees as she leans against the bar a bit. "I'll give it a go."
So soon there's a leather mug set in front of Ava, full of.. well, probably liquid under the foam. However it is Vartan drink, it's unlikely they get bubbles tickling their nostrils.
"Thanks," Ava says as she scoops up the mug. She's back to eying the crowd and looking at how to, well, drink. After a bit more observation, she just gives it a go. It's mostly just beak parted, head tilted back, and pouring it down the centerline of the lower beak, with moments of pause to swallow.
There's a lot of variation in Vartan beaks and tongues. But in general the tongue plays a big role, either lapping the drink directly or moving it from beak to throat. Some of the men she watches literally throw their head back and pour straight down their throat! Everyone looks relaxed, occasionally laughing at stories or just chatting.
So, for the time being Ava is inclined to just sit, wait, and listen, while she works with the leather mug. She tries a few variations (Except just trying to pour it all in at once) for practice. "Usually this busy?" she idly asks the barkeep.
"Before-noon shift," the bartender says. "Lotta late-breakfast sorts. Picks up when more girls show up later."
"The girls? Brothel sorts, eh?" Ava inquires, curious. "An I do suppose this counts as breakfast, since it's got corn."
"Bacon," the older woman says. "Breakfast ale has bacon in it, and sometimes Mateh. No brothel girls, regular working girls. Sailors got wives that stay and work at home y'know. You ain't got some sailor in yer family or bed?"
"Nope, Imma free and unencumbered," Ava replies after another long drink from the mug and shrugs. "Why, do I look like I'm a wife?"
"Y'look like someone that makes her own clothes, so mebbe," barkeep replies honestly.
Ava looks at herself, then shrugs. "Not a good look, then. Mostly I just needed something quick because my other stuff is either damaged or dirty. Ah well," she says. She downs the remainder of her mug and sets it back on the bar. "Another, please."
"With or without bacon?" the bartender asks, as she raises up the pitcher to pour.
"Eh, without," Ava says. "Not really breakfast for me at this point, I've been up for a while."
So her mug gets refilled. One of the men from a table comes up, carrying an empty pitcher. "Hey Birdy, we need a refill," he says, putting down several coins. "Do y'know if Shep is doin' garlic twists today?"
"No garlic, cheese," the barkeep says, and takes the empty pitcher to the barrels. "Might be the spicy kind."
"And we just brought in a load of mustard this run," the man says. "So you should be gettin' some in a day or so."
Ava lifts her mug to the man that came up in a lazy sort of greeting. "Garlic, eh? Keeping the vampires at bay?" she jokes. "An mustard? Sounds like pretzels are on tap soon."
"Shep makes great pretzels and dips," the man says, leaning against the bar and finally looking at Ava. "Sometimes he gets cinnamon, and sort of.. makes it into a candy shell like.." he tries to explain.
"Mmm," Ava remarks as she listens a bit. "Not sure that would taste particularly good together? Salty and sweet? Or is it mostly just sweet? Cinnamon would make it hot, wouldn't it?" she asks.
"Salty and sweet is great," the man claims. "Caramelized," he suddenly says. "That the term! Caramelized sugar and cinnamon."
A fresh pitcher is set on the bar. "Thanks Birdy! We all love you," the man says.
"Ah, burned sugar," Ava quips, amused, "Gotcha." She ponders on this, then bobs her head, saying, "I guess I could see how it might work, since it would be on a crunchy bit too."
"Sometime he does sugar bacon too," the man says, then bobs his head in a 'nice to have met you' gesture before heading back to his thirsty friends.
"More fond of savory over sweet," Ava admits to the bartender as the man heads off. Then she's back to drinking from the mug for a bit in silence as she watches and listens.
Some of the men are also making pilgrimages down to the buffet area, and coming back with heaping plates for their tables. The Roost doesn't seem to have wait-staff, but sailors are likely used to do fetching and carrying things. "First time seeing ya here," Birdy the bartender notes. "New to Babel, or just to this part?"
"Somewhat new to the city, definitely new to this part," Ava admits. "Just trying to get out, see what's what. Maybe find places to hang out when not working and such. Meet folks." She shrugs a little, adding, "Not that I'm particularly good at it."
"Just pick a table with an open seat," Birdy suggests. "Sailors are used to meeting new people all over. These boys are nice and friendly."
"Mmm, feel like I'd be intruding on friends. Most of 'em look like they're with the same groups," Ava points out. "Sashes and such are a bit of a giveaway."
"Just means they're from the same boat, airing themselves out," Birdy says. "They get paid, the spend it in places like dis."
"Yah, and it usually means they're friends then, and got stuff in common to talk about," Ava notes, "I'm just some scraggly private messenger and bodyguard, not sure I'd have much to talk about."
"Just listen t' their stories then," Birdy says. "They love having someone that hasn't heard 'em before."
Ava checks her mug to make sure she still has something, then pushes off the bar. "Might as well, I guess," she says as she looks for a table with plenty of open seats, but not empty, and makes her way towards that one.
It's only got five sailors at it, one noticeably younger than the rest at one end, next to two empty seats. He's got a plate of pastries and donuts in front of him.
Ava flops her butt into one of the empty seats. "If you eat all that you're gonna get bigger in all the wrong ways," she jokes as she gestures to the plate.
The young sailor says, "I grew up near a bakery. So this is more comforting than beer."
"But worse at helping you forget the bad stuff," Ava notes, and nods. "Actually grow up in this city?"
"Ah, Sweetbeak will work it off soon enough," one of the older men says. It looks like he's lost the tip of his beak and has a wooden prosthetic screwed in. "No, Chronotopia," Sweetbeak says. "This is the only place I've found in Babel that doesn't have bugs in the pastry."
"Yeah, well, the squeakers like their bugs. If it were a Sylvanian bar, you might have to watch out for blood. Thankfully not here, though," Ava comments before taking a long drink. "Nothin' like being told to eat up before it clots."
"Never been to a Sylvanian bar," one of the other men says. "Not exactly airship friendly there. You Nordikan?"
"Sorta everywhere. Never stay long in one place it seems," Ava claims, "Though I did live some time in that area, yeah. Surprised I've gotten rid of the accent so that it's not as obvious anymore."
"Vartans only have Vartan accents," another man laughs. "What brings you to Babel then?"
"Sorta got stranded after all the air raids from awhile back. Took all the money, passengers and crew, so sorta got stuck here until I can earn enough for passage out to somewhere farther than I could fly myself. Going solo around here is still dangerous when you get outside the city," Ava remarks and shrugs a little bit. "And with this bod, I don't get the good bodyguarding and intimidation gigs, so it's a bit slow going."
"Well, that'd depend on what sort of bodies you're guarding," the first older Vartan says. "I'm guessing not children?"
"I'm not intimidating, and I've got no experience with children, so no," Ava claims before taking a drink. "Mostly I just get gigs to run packages around the squeakers can't carry, or long distance runs they can't do."
"Sounds pretty good, unless they're sending you to or through sketchy areas," the Vartan says. Sweetbeak (that has to be a nickname) has been glancing over at Ava chest every so often, sometimes looking confused.
"Oy, eyes up here," Ava remarks to Sweetbeak, though looks amused more than anything. Then she's back to talking to the older gentleman and sort of frowns. "All over, including deep undercity sometime. Sometimes supplies to the camps set up by the Yodh near Mount Gorphat and such. So, not the best areas, no."
"Camps?" the older guy asks. "Last I heard there weren't any Yodhgorphat any more. Someone take over their temple?"
"Oh, there's a new high priestess and a whole new group of 'em. Scary lookin', lots with horrible diseases; the High Priestess is a mess, dunno how she's alive. All pretty nice, though," Ava claims.
"So they stopped with all the cursing then?" he asks. Sweetbeak's gaze has once again returned Ava's chest in the meantime.
"I think they get cursed themselves so the people aren't, or something. Some of em don't even look fully Eeee anymore," Ava claims, shrugs, then looks back at Sweetbeak. "Yeah, they're boobs. Surely ya seen em before?"
"They're leaking though," Sweetbeak notes. A quick check confirms that the fabric over her nipples is damp. Given the cloth is black, it may only be noticeable from close up or certain angles.. and Vartans have very good eyesight.
"Oh, that," Ava says and rolls her eyes. "Another odd sorta job. There was an ad for needin' milk, and turns out there are herbs and such that can induce it. So, make a few coins by being milked now and then. Weird as Dagh, but this is Babel."
"So it's not a curse?" Sweetbeak asks. "How are you milked?"
"Oh, you don't know? They make these weird suction glass things you can put over em and then squeeze a handle. And ... out comes the stuff. Feels weird and uncomfortable, but there you have it," Ava claims, and shrugs. "So, no, I'm not pregnant and no I don't have kids."
"Didn't think people would want to buy Vartan milk though," the older Sailor says.
"Must be for cooking with," Sweetbeak suggests.
"People buy everything in this city," Ava claims, and takes another drink. "An we produce more than a squeaker."
"But they got Rhugh'rats," the other sailor notes. "So.. it must be for something special."
"It's Mages I bet," the oldest one suggests.
"I didn' ask. Don' really want to know," Ava says. "Just a weird thing for some money that at least can only be done by a woman, at least."
"So when does it wear off?" Sweetbeak asks.
"Mmm, about a week after I quit using the herbs for it," Ava says, "Why ya ask?"
"Isn't uncomfortable though?" the young sailor asks.
"Mmm, sometimes there's a bit of pressure, but it's not bad," Ava says.
"Huh," Sweetbeak says. "Can I have some?" he then asks.
Ava arches her brow. "Wha?" she asks him, not quite sure she understood that.
"Can I have some," Sweetbeak repeats. "Of your milk I mean."
"Like .. right now?" Ava asks, just to be sure.
"Sure, why not?" Sweetbeak asks. He then downs his drink so that his mug is empty."
"Because that's really weird, and I don't have a pump," Ava points out. Though she also goes to her chest and pulls the wraps upward so her breasts pop out and hang free.
So Sweetbeak puts the mug under one nipple and tries just squeezing and kneading the breast. "Does it need suction to work?"
"Yer askin' me? It's the only way I've had it done, so I dunno if it does or doesn't," Ava admits. "Maybe massaging helps."
"You gotta go slower," one of the others says. "Come up more from underneath instead of the side. "I'm sitting next to her," Sweetbeak points out.
Ava turns a bit to try and help. "Yer makin' me feel like a farm animal," she comments.
"Dis is awkward," Sweetbeak notes. "Can you just sit in my lap so you can face me?"
This earns another brow arch. "I guess. No gettin' any more weird, though," she insists as she gets up, then straddles over his legs and sits down. And of course she has no underwear on under that skirt-thing. Hopefully no one notices.
Sweetbeak tries massaging more, but eventually just tries his tongue. Given Ava's condition, she starts to produce more.. but also gets a bit warm and damp below.
"Oy, careful there," Ava complains and struggles to not squirm. The good about no underwear, nothing to get wet. The bad, nothing to keep scent down.
Adult Vartans can't suck, so Sweetbeak's still trying to find the right mix of massage and licking. Ava can definitely feel him expanding down there as well. He's soon got his mug just dangling from one talon while he tries massaging both breasts at once to see if one works better than the other.
And Ava is trying to think about other things than what is happening! She's also looking at the ceiling and trying to think of horrible things to try and calm down the problem down below.
The other men are back to drinking and bantering, and also stealing some of Sweetbeak's pastries. But the boy himself is starting to squirm a bit.
"Uh, y'probably should stop doing that," Ava finally says, "It's getting a little hot."
"Uh, hold on," Sweetbeak says, and reaches down to undo his breaches. This may be to keep them from getting more damp. Or it's because he is pushing things up into Ava.
"Are ya seriously trying to do that here?" Ava actually whispers to the young Vartan worriedly. Not that it doesn't feel really good and she's not stopping him.
"I've never done it anywhere," the young sailor admits. "Do you think the others will notice?"
"Yes!" Ava hisses. "This sorta thing should be done in private!"
"Oh.. like under the table?" Sweetbeak asks in a whisper.
"Like a private room! Y'don't do this in public!" Ava hisses.
Sweetbeak is starting to look a bit to far gone at this point. And Ava is feeling.. well, really good right here. It doesn't seem to be bothering anyone else yet.
"Just be quick and quiet an ... we'll see," Ava hisses to the young Vartan. She's also rolling her hips slowly. Damn things feeling good and hormones making her unable to resist being, well, slutty.
Of course, Sweetbeak starts to make noises. It's hard to Ava not too. At least the chairs are sturdy.
So much for ever being able to come back here ever again. Or maybe they're just used to it? Either way, soon Ava is just riding him completely, and loving it. Nothing is ever as good as when there's actual species match and things are designed to fit.
Sweetbeak is young and inexperienced, so unfortunately(?) doesn't last very long. He squawks and shudders, and his feathers poof out.
Ava of course doesn't peak herself since he's inexperienced, but she does enjoy the sensation of him peaking, a nice warmth within, so to speak. Then she slows and settles herself. She's sure the entire table is staring at them by now, too.
"That didn't look proper," the next Vartan over says. "C'mere lass and I'll sort you out better. If yer giving milk, you can't get pregnant, so may as well enjoy it."
Well! Now Ava feels a bit embarrassed! And humiliated. And yet, she's soon off his lap and goes over and straddles the older Vartan instead. She finds she can't really help herself at the moment, even humiliated she's got to .. scratch.
This one is also less shy, as he lifts her up and lays her back on the table, as the others quickly pick up their mugs. He also goes as far as untying Ava's sarong to remove it, then raises up her legs by the ankles and starts pounding away, as if picking up right where Sweetbeak left off.
"What in Dagh's name is wrong with me. Maybe I do deserve everything Gorphat does to Nicora and Dar," Ava is soon thinking. She feels hot all over from the shame of being pounded, in bar, in public, with people watching. Of course her body doesn't care, so it feels wonderful and she's soon feeling the tingles and sparks of something coming.
This one knows what he's doing, making sure to slow down and speed up as needed to make it last longer. It does make for very damp breasts though, which one of the others helpfully uses a cloth to wipe off now and then. Ava does catch a glance of the first Vartan she met at the bar going by to another table, and he gives her a friendly wave.
"Yep, can't show my beak here ever again," Ava thinks, while she moan-chirps, and rolls her hips a little. Not that she can move that much with her legs held as they are.
AFter awhile it's all just a blur of constant climax, until the man finishes. The Ava is rolled onto her stomach, bent over the table so are hooves are at least touching the floor. Then the third man takes over, and takes advantage of the extra cushioning to really start thrusting hard. The heavy table groans as well.
"This was not supposed to happen!" Ava is thinking before she's entered again. Things are already rather over-stimulated, so it's not long before she's right back into that blurry pleasure-wave place. The table both groans along with her, and gets rather damp from leakage ... from both upper and lower.
Eventually she finds her in a light-headed haze, sitting in a chair naked. Sweetbeak has a damp cloth that he's wiping Ava down with.
Ava sits there blinking. "Whahappen?" she finally asks as she looks around blearily. "What did you all do?"
"You looked like you really needed some sex," Sweetbeak says. "Radish is having your wraps cleaned up, shouldn't take long."
"I ... okay," Ava says, looking flustered and embarrassed, and droopy. "I'. mot normally the sort to well, do that. And in public. I am so sorry."
"Oh, nothing to worry about," Sweetbeak says. "Was a surprise to me too. "And Duke didn't notice. He's a Pegasus, and kind of a show off."
"Oh? If he doesn't want to be left out I could have him too," Ava says before she even realizes she's saying it.
"Wow, I guess those herbs really do a number on you," Sweetbeak says. "Do you want me to get him?"
Ava is rubbing her face. "I don't know," she admits. Part of her does, and part of her is mortified.
"Did you want another drink?" Sweetbeak asks.
"Yes," Ava agrees rather quickly. Walks of shame are easier if you've been drinking.
There's still a pitcher on the table, and Sweetbeak pours from it and hands the mug to Ava.
Ava this time ends up drinking the entire mug on one shot. When she's done, she hiccups a few times, then burps. "Thanks," she tells him and hands back the empty mug.
Since she handed back the mug, Sweetbeak assumes she wants a refill, so pours another and hands it back.
Ava downs that too. But this time she sets the mug on the table to avoid another accidental refill.
Radish (the one with the prosthetic beak-tip) returns carrying a small basket. He hands out pants Sweetbeak, and looks over Ava to make sure she's cleaned up. "Brought back your wraps, fresh from space about the oven," he says.
"Sorry about all of this," Ava tells Radish. "I messed up your morning meal."
Ava also takes the basket and starts to awkwardly dress herself with the warmed (and hopefully unshrunk) clothing.
"Best breakfast ever," Radish claims. He does help her with wrapping the top around her.
"And last time I'll be able to show my beak in here," Ava complains as she gets the 'twins' repositioned in their halter-wrap.
"Why do you say that?" Radish asks. "This is a sailor joint, nothing to feel embarrassed about."
"I'm not some brothel girl, though," Ava grumbles. "Been avoiding that sorta work!"
"Nah, you were just having a good time, blowing off stress," Radish says. "Was really nice to see a girl enjoying herself like that. Maybe it's those herbs? If it is, then get as much pleasure outta them while you can, cause it's a rare thing."
"What, because otherwise I'd end up with kids?" Ava asks as she gets her 'skirt' back in place and some level of 'decency'.
"Yeah, but also because you really looked like you were enjoying it," Radish says. "I mean, you were wiggling all over the place."
"Well, yeah, of course I was enjoying it. Sex is great," Ava claims. "As long as the guy is big enough t' feel."
"We'll take that as a compliment," Radish says. "Got it out of your system?"
"Mostly? I mean, I still feel kinna randy," Ava admits.
"Oi, what's that I hear?" comes a deep voice from behind Ava. "Heyo, Radish. Who's the hen?"
"Just a drinking pal, Duke," Radish replies.
Ava leans to the side to see who's talking. "Oy yerself! I'm Ava, not 'hen'," she retorts.
Duke is a Pegasus, which means his parents were a Vartan and a Rhian. He's big, tan and white, and shirtless. He's got some knee-length breeches on and a side belt. "Oi there Ava, I'm Duke. Bosun Duke." He offers his hand.
"And huge," Ava comments as she reaches out and shakes the offered hand. She's also blinking.
"And you're tiny," he replies, giving a firm shake. "Ain't these guys been feeding ya?"
"Nah, I'm just not that big," Ava claims, and shrugs. "An money issues prevent me from eating too much anyway!"
"You're big in places," Duke says. "What'd you eat if you could eat anything?"
"That's an odd question. I actually dunno, never thought about it. Why do you ask?" Ava has to ask now.
"To see if I can get it for you of course," Duke says. "Right here they just brought out the pork loin. Very tender. I only eat meat rarely myself."
"Don't usually have meat, too expensive," Ava claims. "But if yer treatin' I wouldn't mind. What's in it for you, though?"
"The company of a pretty girl," the winged horse claims.
Ava is, of course, staring a bit at his crotch and trying to judge how big he actually is. She shakes her head out a bit. "All right, so, sure, why not?" she agrees.
The Pegasus actually offers her elbow for her to loop her one arm through.
"Have fun," Radish says.
Ava looks embarrassed again, but actually does slip her arm into his.
Duke leads her down to the lower level, and buys two plates. "Fill it up as high as you want," he says, handing her a plat. The buffet is one sided, with bins of food laid out with the cooks and kitchen on the other side. It's the sort of things Vartans apparently like, which is meat (pork, since it's Babel, but a wide variety of it) lots of sauces, roasted vegetables, breads and.. pretzels. No soups or stew though.
The sad part is, Ava doesn't really know what would be good or not! It's not like she's got experience with a lot of solid food after all. So, her approach is to collect a little of everything to try, including samples of the sauces and even vegetables and bread. She ends up with two plates by the end, though. And probably more than she can eat.
Duke pays for the extra, and points out a small table near the railing of one the former airship bows. "Good choices," he says of Ava's selections.
"What, everything?" Ava asks, amused at his attempt to be flattering. Then it's off to the table with her 'prey', which is soon set upon the table. Then she slides herself into one of the chairs and settles.
The Pegasus's plate is full of vegetables, sauces and pretzels.
Solid food aside, there's also the issue of using a beak, even one with 'ridges' inside that are sort of not quite like teeth. Vartan's are made for tearing food into gibbets.. which most of the meat at least is already cut up into for convenience at least.
Since it is mostly bite-size pieces now, she's mostly swallowing whole and not trying to chew to much, though she's also watching around the room a bit to get hints on how to eat, or not eat. Hopefully she doesn't end up choking at some point! But since this place is for birds, hopefully the food is prepared enough to be easily consumed without much effort.
Other Vartans are 'snipping' some things with their beaks, like the thick slices of bacon, and for the smaller chunks and strips there's a lot of dipping into sauces. Savory flavors are still new to Ava, but her tongue seems to enjoy them at least. The roasted root vegetables are a mystery, but also tasty.
Duke is chewing his food, but that's pretty normal for a Rhian jaw. It's not like there was a selection of grasses or hay for him to choose from.
So, it becomes more a bit of experimenting on 'snipping' food into smaller bits when necessary. Sauces are a bit novel, given, well, vampire normally. But it's not all that different in theory with having blood flavored by what the blood came from had recently eaten. This is just being able to add flavor more easily!
The pork is pretty versatile as a meat, too. No wonder hogs are popular in Babel. It doesn't have the quality of Rugh'rat to soak things up though, so not likely to be popular with vampires for soak-in-blood then chew-and-spit sort of cuisine.
It is a bit odd eating pork given she's actually been a hog before. So there's a weird sort of feeling of almost being a cannibal sometimes. She deals with it by telling herself it's not like she was a real hog, after all.
"So, what do you think of the buffet?" Duke asks. "No bugs or usual Babelite fare, if that's what you're used to."
"Better than usual fare or travel rations," Ava comments in-between bites. "Goo soaked bread gets old."
"Goo soaked bread is a tradition, though," Duke says with a big-toothed grin. "They also have really good pretzels here."
"A tradition in bleh, maybe," Ava mutters, "Goo soaking is only good in specific things, and bread is not it." She now also ponders a pretzel, and if beaks can even eat that. So, she picks one up and decides to give it a try.
It's pretty soft, so doesn't shatter or crumble. It's also very salty without any dips.
Ava learns the mystery of a pretzel. They're used to sell drinks, since she's soon chugging something afterward to help deal with the salt.
There's a horse-nicker from Duke. "The mustard is spicy, but not salty."
Mustard. There's a new experience. Ava carefully tries some to see what it's like.
It's very different from anything else she's tasted, certainly. But it's not salty.
Ava ponders the mustard. And the fact her tongue feels really funky now. Back to the drink to try and clear that up. Beer works reasonably well, it turns out. "Hm, not sure I'm fond of mustard," she admits after.
"You should try xhocholatl then, when they have it," Duke suggests. "The honey glaze for the ham is good too. Mixes well with the salt."
Oddly, salty is usually fine, given blood tends to be. It's just pure salt makes things shrivel, it feels like. "I don't want to get used to anything I probably won't get again once I can get out of this city," Ava lies. "Though I have had that liquid candy before. It is not bad."
"I have to avoid sweets," Duke claims. "I go overboard with them. Curse of having a Rhian's palette. I'd be sucking on hard candy all the time otherwise."
"And then you would turn into a ball and have to be rolled around," Ava quips as she waves a bit of pork at him before biting off a piece. "I don't mind sweets, but it's just not common for me to have and too much can make me feel ill."
"Vartan tastes vary quite a bit I've noticed," Duke says. "What other tastes do you have?"
"How do you mean?" Ava inquires as she peers at him from just one eye. "Like ... raw fish? Blood?"
"More of a what do you like question," the Pegasus clarifies. "Not limited to food."
"Well, that's kind of broad," Ava giggles, "I mean, I sure don't like being stabbed, for example. And I like staying alive.."
"More.. fun sort of things then," Duke suggests.
"So, you're asking about things like playing games?" Ava inquires next, probably being deliberately coy.
"Depends on the games," Duke says. "I'm not much a gambler myself, if they're games of chance."
"Well, many things can be games of chance for a woman, you know," Ava teases and clicks her beak. "Being knocked up makes things harder. Been lucky in avoiding that so far!"
"Ah, so what are your favorite positions then?" the Pegasus asks, before chewing on another bite of pretzel.
"All of them," Ava claims before eating a bit more. "But, well, on all fours really helps in getting deep, if you catch my meaning. And provides alternate options to avoid pregnancy issues when it's a dangerous time."
Duke whickers. "Would probably need a private room for that," he notes.
Ava ends up laughing at the utter seriousness of that reply. "Well, yes, usually a private room is a good idea for anything involving ... positions," she says.
"Any other fun activities you're fond of?" Duke asks, waggling his pretzel.
"Mmm, like flying? The beak makes it hard for me to do fun stuff I know lotsa people like. Too dangerous!" Ava claims.
"Vartans miss out on a lot because of the beak," Duke agrees. "But they compensate by being more willing in other areas," he notes with a wink.
"Oh, played Blakatball once. That's kinda fun now that they don't use heads anymore," she adds. "What other areas ya mean, hmmm?"
"Well, for instance, would you like to come with me to a private room and have sex?" Duke asks bluntly, but with a smile. "If you've never had a stallion before, it can be quite the experience."
Ava chuckles. "Yah, I have. Quite enjoyable, and he wasn't your size," she comments quite plainly. "So, sure, why not?"
"Well, have your fill of meat first," Duke says. "Then you can have your fill of my meat after." This may be a line he uses often, from the way he says it.
"Wow, you need a better pickup line," Ava says with almost a cackle. Still, she does go back to eating, getting a chance to try various things until she feels like having any more would be a really bad idea. She also keeps thinking on his anatomy, and gah ... hormones, and big guys. Her absolute weakness. That and Gorphat; Gorphat makes her weak in the knees too.
"It adds an imperfection to my personality that makes me more relatable," Duke claims. "Everyone needs to have at least one corny line."
"Corny lines only catch fish, though," Ava quips.
"I believe in mermaids though," Duke counters.
"What about demons and monsters?" Ava asks. "Because Babel is fulla dem."
"I try not to pick up demons and monsters," Duke claims. "I have square teeth, so smiling wouldn't work and I don't know how to flirt with them."
"Never know, mebbe I'm a monster?" Ava jokes. "Bird of doom!"
"You're a bit thin to be a monster, aren't you?" the Pegasus asks. "Monsters should be scary, not cute and sexy."
"I dunno, I hear Inala is thin and sexy ... and a monster," Ava quips.
"She's a goddess," Duke notes, and puts a hand over his heart. "One of the best, in my opinion. Why would you call her a monster?"
"Mm, rumors mostly. Her followers were not the nicest," Ava points out. "Not when they were out of the public eye."
"I never went to her temple," Duke says. "I heard they didn't like sailors, but even so what would I do there? I don't need to wait in a long line to do drugs, and sex with an Eeee.. just wouldn't be possible. Heard it all got destroyed though."
"Believe it or not, you probably coulda had sex with an Eeee, but yeah," Ava says and shrugs. "All gone now. Drugs don't really do anything for me, so I just avoid em."
"Well, we've got decent food and an idea on which position to start with," Duke says, grinning again. "Care to come with me and a room?"
"Start with?" Ava has to ask, then shakes her head. "Eh, sure, I gots time. Just don't break anything, eh?"
Duke leads her up to the third balcony, and through the doors into the tower itself. He exchanges some coins for a key with the Vartan manning a makeshift kiosk, and then it's down the curved hall to the room with the matching number on the key. Inside is a small room, but it has a sturdy looking bed, high ceiling (although the Eeee perch is missing) and a washbowl and pitcher of water. It looks and smells pretty clean as far as Ava's nose can tell. Duke actually turns up the wick on the oil lamp to make the room brighter. "Not much, but better than a crew bunk and great for sleeping off a bender," he says.
Ava is a bit surprised when she's taken up to the third floor, and even more oddly inside the tower! She was not expecting that at all."They actually have rooms up here for rent. For this? Or is it mostly just a place to come rest off a hangover or the like?" Ava asks as she's checking out the room, looking for peepholes, and possible traps. The usual sort of paranoia that keeps you alive in Babel.
One wall looks newer than the others, so the room might have been sectioned off from a larger one. There doesn't seem to be anything suspicious though, as Vartans would require pretty big peepholes. "No idea what they pay for these from the landlord, but they're cheap enough for a few hours," Duke says. "When you're on shore leave, it's nice to have an actual bed for a night."
"It's nice to have a bed, period. Spent far too many nights sleeping on a floor, or the ground, nevermind a bunk," Ava has to agree. "And sorry, been in Babel too long. I hadda look for traps or spies. Never know in this town."
"What, no napping up against a wall?" Duke asks, and laughs. "I've been told that I sleep work, doing my duties without remembering 'em later when I'm awake."
"Eh, sometimes! Sleep where ya can sometimes," Ava says, and shrugs. She flops her butt down on the bed and bounces several times. "So ... uh, she says, "I'm not sure what to do other than, well, remove my clothes.""
"Allow me then," Duke says, and undoes the bow that holds Ava's top together so that it all just hangs from her shoulders. Then he removes his own tunic, which is typical for flyers in that it ties behind the neck and waist. Unlike Sackcloth and Straw, he's got well-defined muscles (and that slight glistening of horse sweat).
Ava suddenly feels oddly shy. Thing usually just sort of happen, but this is more planned and deliberate, and that's just ... weird. Also, it can't be explained away by weird mental states; she came in willingly. She's soon undoing her hip wrap too, and setting that aside. "Dagh, he may brag, but ... he has reasons," she thinks, looking at him.
Duke's trousers go next, and he's.. big. Somewhere between Sackcloth and Straw, but leaning towards the latter. He then gets on his knees, which always looks weird for a Rhian, right in front of where Ava is sitting.
If Ava could blush, she would be. She's also soon reaching out and feeling over him, chest downward. "Sorry, know hands aren't the nicest," she apologizes; scaled bird-limbs and all.
"I think we're even in that sense," Duke says, showing his hard-nailed fingers. "Luckily though I can do this," he says, and dips his head to lick one of Ava's nipples. The tongue is so broad that it actually drags the whole breast up slightly.
Ava squeaks, and arches. "Well, I can lick you, but I can't nurse on anything," she apologizes. Her hands go lower and soon she's lightly, well, stroking his ... impressiveness.
That works pretty well, rough scaly palms or not. When aroused though, Duke is bigger than expected. But still hopefully manageable.. it's more the length that could be a challenge.
And awkward as it is, Ava can't help herself. She ends up leaning over, beak wide, and licks it. She had to taste it, for some reason.
It certainly tastes less salty than the pretzel, and there's no sweat as it isn't covered in hide. It doesn't taste that different than an Eeee, just a lot cooler heat-wise.
Since she can't do much, she doesn't lick long. Well, it's a long lick, just not a lot of time. "So ... what position did you want?" she asks, feeling really weird.
"Let's start with your favorite.. though you should probably do it on top of the bed," Duke suggests.
Ava rubs her beak. "Right," she mutters. She's shuffling now on the bed, mostly so she can be on her hands and knees, with her backside higher than her shoulders. She's already extremely damp, but she has been all day anyway. "Iffin you're worried, you can use either back there. You're big, so, not sure what fits you best," she babbles, feeling humiliated.
Hard hands spread her rump a bit, before the Pegasus starts pushing into her main entry. It's a stretch certainly, and he goes slow to see how far he can actually get. "Let me know if it hurts or gets uncomfortable," Duke requests.
There's a squeaking grunt at the first push, and the stretch. It's ... uncomfortable-ish, but kind of in a nice way at the moment. "'kay," Ava says, "So far, is fine. Big, but ... kinda nice." She's even pushing back a little.
The push helps speed things up, as once Duke gets a bit in, he pushes as well until he bumps up against the cervix. "For a little thing you're pretty deep," he notes.
The bump makes her chirp! Then she looks back at that to see just how much actually, well, fit! "Am I? I've never actually, uh, checked," the embarrassed vartan admits.
It's at least two thirds, from the glance. It hardly matters though once the Pegasus pulls back and starts thrusting. He's slow at first though, but it still feels wonderful.
The embarrassment fades when things start feeling good. Soon her beak is a bit slack and her tongue hanging out. "Oooooh," she coos out on each push in and she pushes backwards. Tight, yet lovely.
Getting a better grip at her waist, Duke starts thrusting a bit harder. This involves 'bumps' but even those feel great due to Ava's condition. Even the bobbling of her breasts feels good, when the impacts ripple through her.
Given her body wants stuff inside her womb, pressure on it does feel nice, oddly. Soon she's in time with him, and pushing back on each thrust. The coos have become a bit more squawky, but no less enjoying. It's a marked difference to how she feels when she's penetrated by any of Gorphat's brood, that's for sure. That is endurance, this is desired!
Things start getting fast and rough, and then on one thrust things go further, as that internal barrier gives way and Duke goes really deep. It causes an intense release for Ava, and the Pegasus stays in there with shorter, faster thrusts that prolong the effect.
Ava was not expecting that! She squawks and poofs out! She's also drooling like crazy and she didn't try to pull away. Instead, she just keeps pushing back and trying to match his movements.
The new tightness brings Duke to his peak, and he lets out a whinny. He doesn't actually stop though.
Ava's eyes get a bit bigger. She can feel that. And she's right back over the edge into bliss. All she sees is stars and she feels delightfully warm and fuzzy, inside and out. She certainly feels really full on the inside!
The feeling persists as the hybrid keeps up the deep thrusts, now pulling out further before pushing all the way past the cervix, and making panting sounds.
Ava's in the sort of primal mental state, hormone driven and breeding-driven at this point. She's drooling, panting, chirping, and moaning as she moves in time with him, and even manages to clench a little when he's all the way in.
Duke pauses, but only long enough to lift up Ava and pull her back against his chest. Then he keeps thrusting upward.
This ... well, it makes her into a bit of a squeak toy. Every time she bounces up and then sinks down she makes a silly sort of squawk-squeak! Her breasts bounce too, which would normally hurt but right now feels kinda nice!
She can also feel his breath, with his head bobbing along with her shoulder. It feels great, but she's basically being impaled, her own weight helping the Pegasus to penetrate as far as possible.
This .. really should be dangerous. But her nature is somehow making her survive it somehow. Has her insides restructured on instinct to keep her alive? Not that she can really think about it much; she's still a bit drooling and vacant-pleasure smeared over her face.
Another pause, as the Pegasus needs to recover a bit. During this pause, Duke lifts Ava off of himself, and lays her back on the bed before joining her. He still has to keep his torso elevated with his arms to avoid putting too much weight on the Vartan though. He pushes back in, and keeps up a more comfortable pace with his hips instead of a rougher one.
"Bluh," Ava says, looking dazed as she's placed on her back. She's coherent for a few seconds, anyway ... right up until when he's right back in her. Then she's right back into a sort of 'breeding-dumb' mind, and she hooks her hooves around his calves for leverage to roll-pull against! This guy might ruin her for anyone smaller!
It's hard to judge the passage of time in the haze. But eventually Duke releases again deep inside of her, and this time he has to stop to catch his breath.
And it's a bit after that before her brain clears up enough. "Bluh," Ava wheezes out, "Just how long can you go?"
"Ugh.. give me a few minutes," Duke gasps. "How much longer do you want me to go?"
"We can ... stop," Ava wheezes. "While I can still walk. I think."
"Yeah, let's rest," Duke says, and pulls out so he can lie on his side next to Ava. He does still fondle her breasts though.
Ava lays there, still panting. Occasionally she tries moving her legs, or at least closing them. The fondling is still quite nice, though!
Eventually the feeling fully returns. Except for her hooves of course. This is a mixed blessing as everything is a bit sore.
"Ow," Ava whimpers. "Yeah, I think I'm done. Sooooore." She does keep wiggling her limbs though, to try and make sure nothing cramps up.
"Even here?" Duke asks, as he starts suckling at her breast.
Ava hiccups! "No, not there," she whimpers a little. Still, it feels nice so she doesn't stop him.
This eventually leads to a cuddle, and a sleeping Pegasus with his head resting against Ava's chest.
Ava breathes out and lies there, petting his head. Eventually, she lets her eyes close too, figuring a short nap to recover is probably a good idea.