After a day of diagnosing who needed the right sort of treatment, Penance was exhausted. Part of that was just from physical weakness, and the Eyes had to carry her back to the lair so she could rest. Seeing the life-lines of everyone along the way was still strange as well, since they were more visible than anything else.
"I'm sure I can walk," she tells those carrying her, even though she probably can't; she's rather wobbly, so might not be able to even stand for long periods of time now. The vision issues are also still disconcerting, and there are times she just closes her eyes so she can't see anything over seeing, well, that. "Where are you taking me?" she asks.
"Back to your room so you can rest and re.. re.. recorpsulate?" Foz replies. "The Horribs'll fix you up, right?"
"I'm not sure they fix anyone," Penance admits, but it does mean she may get some rest, at least. So, that's something? "They usually just cocoon me into the wall for sleeping."
"Ah, you must sleepwalk or sumthin then," Foz says when they reach the chamber.
Penance can't tell if the men bow before the Queen, but there's certainly some bobbing. The Queen has a strange, intertwined double lifeline. The proper slot in the wall is found, and Penance is propped up into it.
At least the alcove fits her back well, and she grunts as she settles into it. She breathes for a bit, and does idly wonder if she could walk out on her own before something else happens! "They won't harm you," she tells the men, in case they're worried about that, though she's a bit distracted looking at that weird double line on the queen.
Maybe it's because the Queen is made of two different organisms? The men bid their goodbyes and don't stick around to find out how good-willed the Horribs are. Soon Penance feels them 'tucking her in' as it were. The lifelines of the drones are dim things compared to the others she's seen.
"So you are going to glue me in, then?" Penance asks them, she thinks. It's not like she can see much of them. She does test to see if she can move her arms and legs, though!
She can move them at the moment, as the Horribs seem mostly concerned about her falling out, so are working on a belt across her midriff.
With the way her legs are shaking, though, she doesn't try to step out, realizing she wouldn't get very far, and if she hurt herself there would be .. complaints. So for now she just settles back and lets the horribs do what they want, even if it means gooing up her midsection with a material that will soon harden.
Upon trying to relax, Penance notices a green flame in the distance. It's like a lifeline, so some sort of aura for sure.. but it appears to be coming from inside the mountain. She's never been able to see lifelines through barriers like stone before. And as far as she knows there aren't any chambers in that direction. But it's definitely coming closer, stone or not.
Penance blinks repeatedly, trying to see if that clears away that image in case she's just hallucinating. "What ... is that?" she asks the room. "How is it even travelling? And from where? There is nothing in the Temple that way, just old empty rooms and collapsed hallways."
Eventually the apparition reaches the chamber, and seems to hover in front of Penance. It really is like a flame.. a candle flame. There are dark spots that might be eyes. Other than hovering and burning it doesn't do anything, acting like it's watching her.
"Well, are you just going to stare at me?" Penance finally asks the odd apparition. "What are you? What do you .. need?" she finally simply, well, asks.
"Oh, so you can see me," the flame replies in a whispy voice that may just be in Penance's mind. "You've reached that level after all. I am a spirit. Specifically, I am Pharika, the Demon of Affliction, who serves Lady Gorphat."
Penance' brow furrows. "I have never heard of you, Pharika," she finally admits as she wracks her brain on that name. "You're a demon? What .. brings you to me?" she asks as her voice gets a few hints of worry. "If you are a demon of affliction, does that mean I am to be given a new one?"
"Well, that depends," Pharika says. "Do you know of the Barsunala?"
"I know of him, yes. Sunala's child, and the one working to help Babel. It was his actions that helped bring back this Temple and others, I believe?" Penance answers.
"More to the point, do you know his function within the pantheon?" Pharika asks.
"To guide souls to their rest, I thought," Penance answers.
"As the psychopomp, he can do that.. and also guide souls from the Sea of Souls into Shrinalas.. or anywhere else," Pharika elaborates. "I serve a similar function for Gorphat, in that I moved affliction around. I can spread it out among many, or transfer it from one person to another."
"That ... makes sense. I assume it was you that transferred the old woman's eye problems to me, then," Penance reasons out.
"Yes," Pharika claims. "And now that you can see, our relationship can be more direct."
"Ah, so you're not here to transfer it to someone else, then," Penance murmurs, and nods anyway. "I ... suppose it can be, yes. Though there is no one here that requires any consideration or treatment."
"There's also the other part of my duties," the demon says. "I can be used to curse people. Is there anyone you wish to curse?"
Penance frowns as she ponders this. "What sort of curses can you bestow?" she asks, "And ... what are the limits of them. I assume you cannot afflict anything on, say, the Barsunala, right?"
"I'm not capable of doing anything to members of the pantheon," Pharika says apologetically. "I am limited to people within Babel."
"There is no one I can think of that has earned being cursed," Penance admits. "Even the doctor that treated me was acting on Gorphat's command and thus I cannot be angry with her."
"It has been awhile since anyone was cursed," Pharika admits. "Is there anything else I can do for you instead?"
"I ... hm. What are the, well, options?" Penance finally asks. "Could you restore my vision if I wished it?"
"Yes, by transferring the current condition to someone else," Pharika states.
"But then I would not see you anymore, correct?" Penance asks, and ponders. She doesn't know anyone she would pass it on to, admittedly.
"Seeing the auras is no longer dependent on the cataracts," Pharika says. "They were merely and aid to unlocking the ability."
"And for temporarily transferring such things, that is what the Bargorphat is for," the demon notes.
"Ah, but I still do not know another that deserves them, so for now I will keep it. I ... feel as if it is more appropriate to take things on than force them upon others," Penance claims. "I want to be like the High Priestess, a glorious display of Gorphat's majesty."
"Oh my, a tall order that," Pharika says. "You need to inspire the Yodh, both for Gorphat and for Maab. It will be a lot of work. Today was a good start though."
"I know it is unlikely, but it is a goal to pursue. Do you have any suggestions on how to better inspire them? Or things I should try to represent, or endure?" Penance inquires of this odd spirit.
"Endurance is a good start," Pharika claims, and bobs a bit. "You pushed yourself to your limit today. I can help with that much, if you like," he offers.
"Help ... how?" Penance asks. "Though any help would be appreciated."
"Like so," the demon says, and then floats into Penance's chest. She feels.. energized. Well, very energized. More than she has in a very long time.
Penance stands more upright, blinking. "Wow," she says in actual shock and surprise. She's soon testing how her arms and legs feel, and if she could even walk. "What ... where?" she stammers.
Her limbs tingle. Even her ears and wings. And her vision begins to.. improve. She still can't see things as they are, but she does see something like a painting, where the paint is flame. Non-living things like the wall are very dark, but she can still see enough detail to navigate if she has to.
"I'm inside of you now," Pharika explains. "So you are sharing in my strength."
"Are you going to live within me, then?" Penance asks as she reaches down to free the wrapping around her waist so that she can walk around a bit in the room if she can.
The Horribs buzz and click and 'Dudda-CHUM' in protest, but Penance is able to stand on her own and take a few steps without falling over.
"I serve you," Pharika says. "Living within you does not alter my abilities, but they may be projected more directly through you now."
Penance does walk around a bit, testing how well they work, and surprised to find she, well, can. "All right, this will be helpful in tending to those in the camp, if it means I can help more by moving or removing things that threaten their existence," she says.
"You will still need to eat," Pharika warns. "Otherwise I will just end up moving you around like a zombie, and undead are forbidden."
"I would rather not be a zombie," Penance admits. She also ponders a bit. "Question, can you afflict and make my breasts ooze a bit like the High Priestess' does? Or am I not remotely ready for such things?"
"While I am within you, I can make such changes," Pharika says. "What would you like them to ooze, and through the nipples or the scars left by the fly larvae?"
Penance blinks a bit. "I ... don't know," she ends up admitting as she feels her chest a bit. "Though I probably do need to replenish the larvae soon since the naga use them as food when they finally come free."
The Naga are nearby, usually in the walls themselves between the stone and resin. They don't need a lot of space, but they weren't inside of her when she went to do her duty with the afflicted. She can see some of them giving her concerned looks, as she appears to be talking to herself.
"The scars can be flushed out to make the cavities reusable," Pharika suggests. "And your breasts will not make crackling sounds as a side benefit."
"Well, if you can flush out the scars, that might work," Penance mutters. She also heads out of her room, heading in the direction of the library where the 'egg' jar for the damn things were when she first got infected.
Navigation takes some getting used to, but she does reach her destination. She sees Crabs.. and also all of his afflictions. "Yodhgorphat Penance," he says in surprise. "I wasn't expectin' you. Heard you was all tired out from working outside."
"I just came to get the jar of those fly eggs. I need them to ensure a food supply for the naga," Penance explains. "I am tired, but there is still more to do."
"Just a moment, I'll fetch 'em," the Skreek says. He doesn't seem to be slowed down by his pink-eye, bladder, ear, and nose infections and an infestation of fleas. "There's s'posed to be some sorta applicator for the eggs, but I haven't found it yet."
Penance's breasts ache for a bit while the rat gets the eggs. She can feel the scar tissue 'plugs' being pushed out by some sort of.. mucous. It's not quite puss, but has a similar consistency. It itches like mad.
"I imagine just a small knife and a small spoon would work for that," Penance observes. She also scratches a bit at her chest, the pressure and itch really, really, uncomfortable. "I assume I just need to push some of the egg gel into the pockets?" she wonders.
Pharika doesn't reply, but Crabs returns with the jar and notices the oddness with Penance's breasts. "Oh, you wanna use the old holes?" he guesses. Then he reaches out and starts pumping the Eeee's breasts to help with the scar ejection.
"I was planning to, but ... " Penance starts to say, then suddenly is rather distracted by the rat pumping on her breasts! If she's not careful, she may develop permanent cysts under the skin; little breeding pockets.
Crabs stops after a bit, and gets a cloth to wipe away the results. "I tink I can see 'em all," he reports. "Ye want me to implant the eggs?"
"I think it's more you want to do it," Penance points out. She heads to a chair and sits down on it, and rests her hands in her lap. "So, go ahead, then," she offers.
Crabs does use a tool, which isn't very clear in Penance's vision, but might be a pair of tweezers. The Skreek carefully extracts and egg (which is a small red flame) and places into a hole, giving it a little push to get it down. It feels.. uncomfortable. Penance realizes she's actually bleeding a bit from the pits. So maybe that's how Crabs is able to find them. "How'd things go outside?" the rat asks.
Penance makes a pained sort of grunt when the first egg goes in. It doesn't look big, but once it's in the 'pocket' it feels kind of huge, due to the swelling. "Exhaustingly. So many people to tend to. I barely made it," she admits as she continues to try and hold still. Anyone sane might even wonder why she is letting it be done, for that matter.
"Didja enjoy it at all though?" Crabs asks as he pushes in another one. "Like.. uh.. spiritually?"
Penance grunts, again. "I did. It was pleasing to help others as best I can, even if tiring," she admits.
"Well, dat's what it's all about, ain't it?" Crabs asks, as he continues to infect Penance's breasts. "The whole point o' being here I mean."
"I hope so. It surely can't be about just torturing us for past crimes," Penance muses, since she can't even remember her past.
"Oi, was that an option?" Crabs asks. I feels like he's jamming things in, but it's actually done very carefully and gently.. it's just that there are a lot of holes to fill. "I thought it was 'cause we had already survived the torture stuff."
Penance shrugs. "I don't remember anything other than being here," she says, wincing. It feels like there are marbles being added into her breasts at this point. It is not comfortable. Though the idea of being sort of a living hive is making Penance feel oddly aroused.
"What sort of afflictions can you bestow upon me, by the way?" She asks Pharika internally. Maybe being infected is just making her think weird things.
"/All manner of itches, inflammations and glandular malfunctions,/" the demon replies. "/I cannot cause infections, however. But I can exacerbate the allergic response to any."
Penance's left hand is rubbing between her thighs, and her stretched wide-open 'wound'. "Ah, so you couldn't cause a yeast infection or the like," she thinks. Is she trying to punish herself for getting aroused?
"Only inflammation and itch in the same area," Pharika says. "Also inflammation of the joints, which can be very painful."
"/Could you make it so I cannot grow any hair anymore? That would be a ... convenient affliction. Having to shave/remove it can be bothersome, and not having it ever again would be helpful and make it easier to keep 'cleaner', so to speak,/" Penance thinks. "/Fur is problematic when dealing with the things we do./"
"It should be possible with a combination of hormonal and allergic responses," the demon says. "The follicular muscles may also be useful."
"Well, that could be useful if you can figure out how to do it. Being furless is just more effective as a Yodhgorphat. I would prefer it be permanent," Penance thinks.
"Is this something that should be applied to all of the Yodhgorphat candidates then?" Pharika asks.
"Me first, to verify it works, if it does, then yes, it should likely be given to all of them in time, when they've earned it," Penance thinks.
And so Penance's skin immediately begins to itch. He fur hasn't grown out much since her last trimming by the disturbing snails, and it now feels like it's all standing on end.
Poorly planned, but then Penance has often acted on impulse. She is having to scratch at herself, though, while trying to remain still for Crabs.
"Maybe all the ones makin' decisions should have to spend time bein'.. well, not full Yodhgorphat but going through some of the same stuff," Crabs suggests as he works, not noticing the scratching much. "Knowing what suffering is like might make 'em better, y'know?"
"Mmm, possibly. It somewhat seems like the newer folks in charge are trying, at least. So that's something. Still, if they start to falter, we can remind them possibly by afflicting them to suffer as they make others suffer," Penance muses and squirms some.
It's very itchy now, even where Crabs is working. "Eh, you didn't have a reaction like when you were implanted before didja?" he asks.
"No, I am just ... communing with Gorphat, is all," Penance claims as she really struggles to not just try to scratch everywhere. Ugh! "Pay it no mind and finish your work?" Her chest feels really lumpy now, as if she had dozens of marbles in it, though it's just the small eggs in the 'pockets'.
At least Crabs switches to the other breast now. "Well.. let me know if'n you need to commune with a chamber pot," he says, and gets back to work.
"It's not that kind of problem, I promise," Penance claims. The only place she leaks from with any regularity is at least just her 'wound' and it's not huge amounts, just unpleasantly 'fragrant'.
"I am trying to attack the hair roots with the immune system, while flexing the muscles," Pharika informs Penance of his methods.
"It itches like crazy!" Penance thinks, while scratching.
"That is a side effect," Phariki claims.
"I noticed!" Penance thinks, "Hard not to."
"Thank you for the compliment," the demon claims, just as Crab's hand slips and the tool he's using pokes Penance's breast. "Sorry!" Crabs says.
"Ow!" goes Penance when she's poked! Though more out of reflex than anything else, the itching is actually worse than the poke was.
And so it goes, as Crabs plugs all of the holes with fresh (well preserved) eggs. "I think that's all o' em," he reports. "Anyt'ing else I can do for or.. uh.. to you?"
Penance muses. "Well, have you found any containers of common infections and such that we should cultivate?" she asks of him as she now rubs at her sore, lumpy, and very infested breasts. In a few days she'll have larvae digging in and feeding on her there.
"Some of that stuff comes with really deep text dat I'm still figgering out," Crabs says. "They seem like simple things, but.. they is caused by so tiny you can't see 'em things that aren't plants and aren't animals. The Yodhgorphat knew a LOT about disease, and it's way beyond common sense. But growing colonies of the stuff is pretty easy. Some of 'em are used for cooking even!"
"Any that grow best in or on a person?" Penance asks, then shrugs.
"Well, a lot of them already do!" Crabs claims. "We is loaded with them. They just don't all make us sick. But there is plenty that like warm, moist areas."
Penance considers. "Any particularly fond of women's moist areas?" she asks. "I do not want Inala trying to use mine to make me stray."
"Lots, but I guess most common is leavening," Crabs says. "Somehow related to clothes or somethin', but probably just from working 'round the stuff. It's harmless but really irritating and weird."
Penance asks, "Show me?"
"Hold on," Crabs says, sealing the jar of little red flames, which he then returns to the racks. It's only a minute later when he returns with a small chest, and opens it to reveal lots of little envelopes. These don't have any aura to delineate them, so they're just blurry rectangles of brown flame to Penance. "Here's one," the rat reports, holding up an envelope. There might be writing on it but Penance's sight isn't good enough to read it.
Penance opens the envelope to see if there is any aura inside.
It's very dim, as if something is sleeping. "It's called Candy. No, Candy-da," Crabs says, guessing that Penance can't read with her cataracts. "It's a fungus, so those are spores."
"Why is it called that? What does it do?" Penance asks. She sticks a couple fingers into it to see if any sticks to her fingers.
Since her fingers are damp from the fur inflammation, it does stick. "Causes swelling, burning, itching and weird discharges," Crabs reads off the envelope. "Painful intercourse."
"Already is for me. Painful that is," Penance remarks as she peers at her fingers. "Is there any treatments for it?"
"A kind of yogurt and some spices I never heard of, cider vinegar, a tree oil of some sort, and garlic," Crabs reads off. "But for the garlic you eat it, the rest is sort of directly applied."
"But, treatable if it becomes a serious problem, then?" Penance asks.
"Doesn't say it can become serious," Crabs says. "Just painful."
Penance looks lost in thought about it, then decides she can afford to experiment. She sticks her fingers in the envelope again and swirls them to collect as much of the powder as she can. She carefully draws them back out, then slowly and deliberately lowers her hands between her legs. Before she loses the nerve (or becomes sane), she pushes the two spore-covered fingers deep into her spread 'wound'. She swirls then around, rubbing every surface she can reach and touch.
Normally, things are dry in there. It's only because of her mild arousal that it might work. "Uh.." Crabs says in confusion. "Is this so you can be itchy everywhere?" he asks.
Penance shrugs a little. "Just ensuring Inala cannot tempt me," Penance claims, "By turning over as much of this area to Mother Gorphat as I can, willingly." And in her way, she actually means it, too; deliberate infection as homage to Gorphat. She slides her fingers out, collects some more of the spores, and repeats the process a few times in the attempt. "May this please you, Mother Gorphat, to claim more of Inala's temptations for you instead," she prays as she does so. "I wish to only think of you and drive out all your Sisters attempts to tempt me."
"So you want that area kept moist?" Pharika asks, eavesdropping on the prayer.
"Can you?" Penance inquires.
"Wow, Inala poaches other Yodh?" Crabs asks in astonishment. "I guess because she ain't got any of her own anymore. Still.. you?" The Skreek shakes his head.
"All women are at risk of temptation," Penance claims. "If you can, please help me stay moist down in there, afflict whatever you need to," she asks of Pharika.
"I'd think it'd be the guys that'd be tempted most," Crabs says. "Well.. if temptation where even, like, necessary. Most guys would do it with plants."
"Men are simpler creatures that Goddesses," Penance claims, and nods sagely. She withdraws her fingers for the final time and wipes them on her thigh.
"Well, our parts are simpler I guess," Crabs says. "I mean.. I'm ready to get into you right now," the Srkeek claims.
"You are? Then why don't you?" Penance asks? Hey, it's one way to increase moisture down there. Though why Penance is even doing this to herself is anyone's guess other than 'crazy Yodhgorphat'.
Crabs doesn't need any more invitation than that. He gently lays Penance back onto the table before climbing on top. And even before the Skreek really does anything, Penance is moist down there. In face she's.. throbbing? Is this Pharika's doing?
"Pharika, what did tou do ... down there?" Penance wonders. She's been so dry and desensitized for so long feeling anything is a bit .. novel? Of course she's still spreading her legs for the rat. Who just saw what she did to herself, and how mutilated she already is there, and still wants her. Guess he's crazy too!
Once the rat is inside, Penance realizes that she hasn't lost all sensation. The first few inches are pretty sensitive, especially with how things are engorged. So when Crabs really starts pumping (which is immediately, since he doesn't even try for a warm-up) it actually feels good.
This is a bit of a shock! Penance hasn't feel good like that in ... for as long as she can remember at this point! Her eyes widen, she gasps, then soon she moans. "Woah," she even thinks!
This surprises Crabs as well, prompting him to ask, "You alright?" He doesn't stop though.
"I'm good. Really good," Penance continues to moan. "Pharika, what did you doooo?" she wonders.
"I applied an affliction," the demon claims. "A state of constant genital congestion."
"What does that even mean?" Penance has to wonder.
"The effect is that of constant arousal and sensitivity," Pharika explains.
"For an affliction, it feels so gooooood!" Penance thinks, and goes right back to moaning, and soon she's actively humping the rat back!
This causes a sudden release.. or so it seems. Nothing seems to change afterwards! Crabs doesn't notice and just keeps going.
Penance's eyes are clenched shut and she's really going at him as he does her. Goodness, it feels lovely. Intense bursts of pleasure and muscle clenching. She's making all sorts of moans and groans. She should have done this sooner!
After a few more climactic events, Crabs lets out a squeaky moan and does his part to feed Penance's creepers. Which also means he stops pumping soon after.
Penance keeps going and enjoying the feeling for a bit longer. But eventually she releases the rat from the grip of her legs. She hasn't eased him out yet, though. She lays there, panting and basking.
The feeling of arousal doesn't diminish, even though the activity has. "You actually enjoyed dat?" Crabs asks, a bit skeptical.
"Immensely," Penance admits, feeling flushed.
"Dat's new then," the rat points out. "Before you didn't even care, 'cept when the creepers where really hungry and dat other worm creeper was getting ready to fertilize 'em."
"Well aware. Not complaining," Penance murmurs, and rolls her hips a bit more before moaning. Then she finally tries to ease him out.
She feels empty once Crabs is free. And it almost aches down there now.
Penance reaches down and feels around bit around the edges to the passage and such. So far, it's ... acceptable, and a ... nice change?
Her finger gets wet. Even the bonded leather there is wet.
"Wow, I'm wet," Penance muses, which is also rather novel for her; she doesn't remember ever feeling wet like that. She giggles like a giddy little thing.
"Crabs, can you put some more of those spores in there? In case we pushed some out during, well, that," Penance coos, and arches her back a little.
"If you want," Crabs says, and scrambles down from the table.
"Would you like to afflict him with priapism?" Pharika asks.
"I doooooo," Penance moans a little, and reflexivly rubs the spot where she used to have a nerve bundle, and now just has a rooted parasite. "No, no, leave him be for now. Though having someone here who does could be ... enjoyable, hmm," she ponders.
The rat returns with the little envelope, and dips his finger into Penance to get it wet, then dips it into the envelope to collect spores.
Penance arches and coos when those fingers go back into her, just to get wet! That felt nice!
"Dat's almost all of dem," Crabs says, and wipes his finger on chest. "Gonna be a big infection now. Lookin' to plug things up?"
"Just experimenting," Penance moans as she rubs over herself, even her recently implanted and lumpy chest. "Thank you, Crabs," she says as she does finally sit up and try to stand.
She's a little wobbly, and just moving her thighs back together causes weird sensations. "Let me know if you need anything else," Crabs says. His aura is a little dimmer now, so maybe that means he's exhausted.
The sensations, weird as they are, are a welcome change to nothing Penance finds out. "I'm going to head back to my chamber for a short rest, I think. Unless something else needs my attention, of course," she says as she wobble-walks to the exit.
Every few steps she has to pause because the movement sets off her arousal to a point of.. frustration. It makes the trek back to the Horrib lair slower than expected.
It also involves her pausing to use her fingers to pleasure herself for a bit too, and shivering. So, there are benefits, and also problems, with this condition. It's nice to feel ... but she feels more than she wants sometimes! Such is the way of things.
She can sense some of acolytes in the dorms as she passes, and even Otto and his bucket doing whatever it is he does. He's in the old chapel, almost directly across from the Queen's lair.. if a bit further out. The walls are worked in that section of the Temple, not just left as bare stone.
Penance decides to change her direction, instead of going to the queen's lair, she decides to check on what Otto is doing. So she continues onward!
It's a lot more colorful the closer she gets to the main temple. When she reaches the altar, she finds Otto praying silently. And she can see the stained glass! The image of Gorphat actually has an aura.
"Ah, good day to you, Otto," Penance says as she enters and approaches the altar. She kneels down there too and takes up a position of prayer and thanks to her patron Goddess and adoptive mother. She who makes every day 'interesting'.
"Mmm," Otto grunts, and looks at Penance.. and sniffs. "Somethin' different about you," he notes.
"I have willingly taken on some new challenges, is all," Penance replies quietly, with her head bowed. "My chest once more hosts new life, and below have been given more over to Gorphat through her collections of inflictions in the library."
"Need help with them?" the big rat asks. "Anything need draining or collecting?"
"Not yet but in time I will," Penance claims. "Is there anything in need of my attention that you know of? Are you in desire of any blessings?"
"Baby Yodhs doing alright with today's pilgrims," Otto reports. "Will come to you if they get someone they can't handle. The Sisters of the dead goddess helping out too."
Penance nods at this. "So, nothing that needs my attention, then?" she asks to be sure. "Do you need anything?"
Otto blinks at that. Nobody's ever asked him if he needs anything. "Me and Pix doing alright," he says. "Already changed the straw for the bed."
Penance nods. Her attention shifts to prayer. "Glorious Mother Gorphat, Goddess of all that matters, I have been basking in and seeking your greatness to endure," she pays, "Is there anything more I may do to spread your Glory or exalt your greatness?"
The aura on the stained glass image seems to brighten. "You have bonded with Pharika, use him well. Do not hesitate to cure pilgrims by transferring their afflictions to the initiates. Pharika can spread the suffering one across many others to dilute it. Or focus the suffering of many onto one," Gorphat gurgles into the praying Eeee's head.
"He will be of great use to me. Thank you for sending him to me," Penance thinks. "Do you have any current needs of Your daughters, or shall I continue on as I have been?"
"It pleases me to see what you do on your own," Gorphat says. "Aside from duties that Otto will inform you of when necessary."
"As you Will, Mother Gorphat," Penance thinks and bows her head once more. Then she's rising back up. "I shall return to my chambers, I think. It has been a long day and I do feel a bit worn," she claims, as she .. drips between her legs.
"Do you need help, or can you see alright?" Otto asks.
"I can see well enough, though I may see if I can bestow this gift on another for a time," Penance admits, smiling. "Do you think any of our flock would appreciate, or deserve it?"
"Don't know if deserve or appreciate matter," Otto claims. "They all deserve to be challenged, after all. And all need to appreciate the.. opportunity to overcome it."
"Is there anyone new that deserves attention?" Penance asks next.
The rat scratches at his cheek. "Nobody newer den the rest. Do Yodhblakat count?" he asks.
"No, alas. And I should not gift to them, Blakat would not approve," Penance admits.
"She come to watch the pilgrims, asks lots of questions 'bout you," Otto says. "Should I shoo her away?"
"I can at least speak with her. Where is she?" Penance asks.
"She was outside.. I can bring to you if dat easier," Otto says. "She can see the Horrib Queen. Maybe make sure she not gonna try anything.. Blakaty."
"That would be fine, Otto. I shall withdraw to my chamber and meet her there," Penance agrees and nods. She then turns and walks out, a bit bow-legged and leaving a trail of drips.
Once she returns to the lair, the Horribs buzz about excitedly. Maybe because they know they're going to have a guest. The Queen is.. sedate. She may not care.
"Calm yourself, they come to see me," Penance intones to the overly excited bugs. She withdraws herself to her little alcove and while she waits, she feels her crotch, marveling at having any sensation at all.
While experiencing a bit of a mini climax, Otto arrives with the Yodhblakat. Penance can't really see her, but her aura is very odd, as if flickering between red and black, almost as if there are two auras. "Eh," the Yodhblakat says as she enters the lair. "So Yodhgorphat really have no fear," she notes, her voice sounding harsh. "And that is the biggest Horrib I've ever seen! These guys are safe, right?" she asks.
"As long as you are respectful," Penance answers and bows slightly. "I am Yodhgorphat Penance. Whom do I have the honor of addressing, daughter of Blakat? And what is it you wish of us?"
"Yodhblakat Phaeton," the tall woman answers, being mindful of all the rough and dangling surfaces from the room. "I came to find out if you have the soul-sight. Seemed like it when you were seeing to the pilgrims."
"I do, indeed. Yours, for example, flickers between red and black," Penance replies, head tilted slightly yo the side. "Is that what you wished to know?"
"Yeah," the other Yodh says. "We don't have anyone that can do that anymore, and we kind of need it for something."
"At Mount Blakat?" Penance inquires. "So, are you asking Gorphat and Her Daughters for a favor?"
The Yodhblakat takes in a deep breath through her nose. "See.. The Day of Blakat is coming up. The Barsunala doesn't want us going out and fighting families for their children anymore. Plus we're all pregnant. So the kids gotta come to us this time, and we can't have 'em fighting eachother either. But if you could see who would be best, that would make it all easier." She doesn't sound very happy about it all.
Penance grins, wide. "Oh ho, so you're asking Gorphat for assistance in selecting your next generation? My, my," she says slowly and with far too much satisfaction. "What are you offering us for such a task on your behalf, hmm?"
"Eh.. what does She want?" the Phaeton asks nervously. "Like I said, we're all pregnant, so gotta take that into account."
"I would need to commune with Her and ask," Penance claims, "So, you could just ... owe us one, for us to claim in the future. Perhaps you can help is find a few more to become Bargorphat; we lack many of those. But ... it really depends on Her will, I am just guessing."
The Yodh still seems uncomfortable. "Look, we're still Yodhblakat," she says. "We don't offer or give.. anything. You want something from us you have to take it. Maybe that will be easy, maybe it won't. I know that makes it hard to.. cooperate.. but it's who we are."
"Remember what we we give. I can take everything from you after giving something to make you the weakest Yodhblakat in history," Penance points out, a bit coldly and disturbingly calm. "Still, I have no desire to start a war between Temples. So, I will consider what it is we could use that can be taken. And I promise it will not be an offense to Blakat whatever we chose. We, after all, should work together, even when the urge is to make you ooze from every orifice, or provide us with new horribs."
"We have a lot of refugees from the Streets Below now," Phaeton points out. "We took them so that you wouldn't be overwhelmed here," she claims, but that's probably not the whole reason. "So.. maybe that's already a favor, hmm?"
"Is it? You just stated you take things," Penance points out, simply.
"We took the opportunity to improve our image," Phaeton rephrases. "Look.. it was a Barsunala thing. So everything is getting upended! I just want to scare people and beat them up! Even you guys are all backwards now, you used to be feared too. I don't know what to think anymore, and I want pickles."
"I am sure there are pickles outside. Ask the quartermaster about some, you can take a small case," Penance offers, and shrugs. "I am sure an accord can be reached between us. I am willing to help, and I will keep any acts of 'cooperation' to things that will fit within your and Blakat's needs and desires."
"Alright.. thank you," Phaeton replies, the words not fitting her mouth well. She even bows. "I will let our High Priestess know. Then Blakat and Gorphat can work out the rest."
Penance gestures at herself. "If you find me ... attractive, we could spend some time together before you go," the horny Yodh asks. Possibly serious, or she wants to see if the Yodhblakat will run.
"Err, no offense, but we have barinala at our Temple," Phaeton says.
"So? Am I not sexy and alluring?" Penance burbles.
"Hells no," the Yodhblakat says. "You look diseased," she.. compliments?
Penance reaches out and caresses her cheek! "Thank you," she says, and smiles. "I could show you such ... ecstasies."
The larger woman flinches. "You are as scary as the old Yodhgorphat at least," she claims. "But I don't think you could force me."
"Oh, I don't know," Penance murmurs, smiling. "Pharika, make her aroused like I am ... for a few minutes. I want to make a point..."
The Yodhblakat grunts suddenly, and holds a hand to her lower abdomen.
"You may go," Penance says. "Pharika, do not endanger her child. Just ... remind her a little and release her from the need soon."
"As you wish," Pharika says.
"Do not harm the child or her," Penance repeats. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Yodhblakat. We will work together soon. Send word when you wish my presence."
"Yeah.. uh.. I'm grateful for the.. audience," Phaeton says, in her best attempt at diplomacy before she makes her way out of the the lair.
Penance grins. "That was fun," she says, smugly.
"She mentioned that things are changing for the Yodh because of the Barsunala," Pharika says. "I have not dealt with the current incarnation, but he does not sound very traditional."
"He is not from what I have heard. He is kind. He also is in love with Mother Gorphat and they .. tryst sometimes. So he has good taste," Penance claims.
"Much has changed since I was last summoned," Pharika says.
"I heard rumors he was to help us develop a new Bargorphat sometime, though I am not sure the state of that effort," Penance also thinks, and shrugs some. "I can try to see if Mother Gorphat can summon the current Barsunala if you wish to meet him."
"That is not necessary," Pharika says. "I am patient."
"As you wish," Penance thinks as she relaxes in her alcove and just feels over her current itches and ailments, enjoying her challenges.
Penance settles her arms and such in positions to be glued in and rest. Of course once the yeast really get going and the itching starts down below, she won't be able to scratch ... but then she chose that path, and wished for it. She is a content Yodhgorphat.