The thing about being a dragon is that after lots of dragony things, it's really hard to think about not being a dragon again. So Alptraum isn't in any hurry to change back into an Eeee. Maybe this is what Tulani was worrying about, that being a dragon can be a bit addictive? But it's nothing Alptraum can't handle! He knows enough dragons to understand the downsides of it, after all.
Alptraum is also addicted to changing shapes and such too, so they all help counter each other out! Maybe. Hopefully. So for the moment he's outside of the city, arching around as that's safest and less likely to cause a panic. Since Dronnel is relatively close to Mount Sunala, he banks and glides towards that. Before he gets too close, though he disappears into shadow a shadow-cloak to silence the air movement around him.
The summit is busy, especially at night. The tents of the Yodhrhinala are lit up, and there are the barsunala guards at post. A few are on the roof of the buildings, but none are in the air. Alptraum can smell Rakh'tors though, but there not close to the temple complex itself, penned closer to the air barge past the mausoleums.
Alptraum ponders where would be the safest place to land that wouldn't cause massive alarm and pitchforks and torches to come out. Hmmm.
There is an area of freshly clear land not far from the temple complex, probably being prepared as a cemetery extensions. It just has a lone barsunala pulling weeds.
Alptraum hmms. Well, scaring one person wouldn't be so bad? He banks around and goes in for a landing there, and far enough back to not seem like he's coming to attack or is a threat per-se. He can't help that he's huge and scaly, though.
The bent-over barinala feels a sudden gust of wind at his back from the dragon's wings.. but seems to react as if it were just a gust of wind. He shivers a bit and wraps his wings closer to his body while muttering about being disciplined like this.
"Well, what did you to do need to be disciplined?" Alptraum asks from the place where he landed. He's looking curiously at the Barsunala.
"I chatted with one of the Yodhrhinala.." the Eeee begins to reply, then stands up and looks behind him. His sonar ping gets absorbed by the shadow, but the big blurry patch obscuring the landscape makes him take a step back. "Who's there?" he sort-of demands, his voice a bit too squeaky.
"What's wrong with talking to Yodhrinala? I do it all the time," Alptraum says as he lets the shadow cloak around himself dissipate. "And I'm Alptraum. Well, a dragon at the moment, but the Barsunala. Not A, the."
The barsunala falls on his butt, and points with an outstretched arm at the dragon. "I heard you had boobs!" he blurts. "Not scales!"
"Well, sometimes I have those too. I change around," Alptraum says and rolls his eyes. "I'm not going to harm you. I came to see Sunala and her attendant, not to eat the scenery."
"Nobody sees Sunala but the High Priestess though!" the gardener blurts again. Blurting seems to be his default when nervous. "Should I.. uh.. tell someone you're here?"
"I see her plenty," Alptraum points out. "But yes, you call tell the High Priestess I am here."
"And you won't just hide and make me look foolish when I bring here?" the man asks nervously. Probably afraid of being put on grave-digging detail.
"How big am I? Where would I hide?" Alptraum points out.
"You were hiding just now though!" the barinala claims.
"I was still a visible blob," Alptraum points out.
"A blob isn't a dragon, it's something you just can't focus on," the man says, clearly feeling a bit less nervous. "So.. blobify yourself again until I can get the High Priestess to come out?"
Alptraum sures. He settles back down and disappears into a formless sort of mountain people. If he had white hair, it really would look like a pimple
The barinala hurries off to the Temple. Then it's.. waiting. And waiting. Eventually he sees the man heading back, this time with a grumpy looking Megrasastis in tow. "I don't see a dragon," she declares as they get closer.
Alptraum withdraws the shadow cloaking again. "You need your eyes checked," Alptraum quips.
"Augh!" the High Priestess yelps when Alptraum appears. "You really do delight in shocking people, don't you?" she accuses, one hand to her chest. With her other she waves off the barsunala, who is happy to retreat back to the temple. "Why are you a dragon? And why are you here? Are you going to eat me?"
"What's wrong with being a dragon? I needed to be one earlier for some stuff, and decided to visit while still in this form," Alptraum says and shrugs a little with the role of his forearms. "I have come to visit Sunala and her charge and see if they would like a ride over the city."
"A ride?" Megrasastis asks. "On your back? Is that safe? Sunala is blind after all."
"What is safer than being with a dragon? Who is going to attack me?" Alptraum points out. "Are you saying Her own son cannot keep her safe?"
"I'm saying She might fall off!" the High Priestess asserts. Then she gestures for Alptraum to get lower. "I'm going to test this before I let Her try."
Alptraum crouches down. "Do you even know how to ride?" he asks. "Or is it you just like to ... ride large creatures."
"I rode a Rhak'tor in my youth," Megrasastis claims as she clambers up onto Alptraum's shoulders. "Hmmm, not must to hold onto, and no saddle. No hair even! Has anyone ridden you before?"
"Lots of people have ridden me," Alptraum says, probably too suggestively. But ... that being said, he tries to provide a white main to hold onto. Hair ought to be kind of ... easy?
The trick is getting it to grow along a line, and not just poof out everywhere. It also needs to come out between the scales of the spine. Eventually he has long strands of white hair that sort of all blend together if you don't look too closely. "Ah, better," Megrasastis says, and grabs some hunks of hair. Then she pulls, asking, "Can you feel this?"
"Some, yes, it is attached to me!" Alptraum calls back. "Are you settled yet?
"Hold on," the Yodhsunala replies, as there's more tugging on hair. "There, that should work," she finally says.
"What did you do?" Alptraum asks and tries to look back.
He gets a glimpse of a sort of.. hair belt and leg bindings. Megrasastis has tied herself to Alptraum via his hair.
"You do have wings. Falling is not a big deal," Alptruam points out, but bounds and takes off before the Eeee can reply. If she's going to be grouchy, may as well have a reason.
"Sunala's wings do not work," Megrasastis points out, and also grabs onto more of Alptraum's hair. "This is a test that she can be held in properly..." She trails off a bit as Alptraum bounds!
"You could send an escort. I don't bite," Alptraum claims as he takes off and climes insanely fast. Faster than an Eeee, anyway.
"Eeeeeee!" Megrasastis screeches, then starts to cackle. Is she actually enjoying this?
Well, since she's tied on ... Alptraum climbs, goes head over tail, then dives. Any stomachs tend to be left behind.
This cause more (gleeful?) screaming from the rider. She has been pulling on Alptraum's hair to try and steer him so far at least.
Alptraum levels out and then just goes into a lazy glide over the city a bit, though he's staying close to Mount Sunala. "Are you alive back there?" he asks.
"Ah.. ha.. ah," Megrasastis pants. "Can you breath fire or smoke?" she then asks once she's caught her breath.
Alptraum demonstrates by releasing a rather impressive column of fire as the answer. So, yes, yes he can.
"Yes!" Megrasastis cheers. "If only we had a target. But the nobles are behaving now."
"I am not going to firebomb anyone. I came to give a ride and briefly visit," Alptraum remarks and looks back.
"Oh.. right," Megrasastis says, trying to act prim and formal again, despite looking completely tousled. Her robes are in disarray, and have opened enough that Alptraum can see her bare chest. She does pull them closed, and says, "I suppose this is safe enough for Sunala and her companion, so long as they are secured with your hair."
"There is no place safer than being with me," Alptraum claims as he continues to fly around. He's not heading back quite yet, since Megrasastis seemed to be enjoying herself.
"It's been awhile since I was in the air," the priestess says. "I never get the time to just fly."
"You should make time. It is good to clear the mind and find new perspectives," Alptraum claims as he banks and makes a lazy turn to head back. "It helps problems fall away for a bit."
"But they are always waiting for me back in my office," Megrasastis says with a sigh. "This was.. fun.. though," she admits. "Sunala will like it. Her companion may be terrified."
"Does she have problems with heights?" Alptruam asks. "I do not have to take her."
"I have no idea what phobias she may have," Megrasastis claims. "She rides in airships just fine."
"This isn't quite like an airship, though," Alptraum claims as he circles into find the open area to land again. And hopefully not with more people and weapons.
The clearing is still empty. There may be more Yodh watching from the Temple though, if the barinala gossiped.
Another circle to get lower and then Alptraum comes in for a smooth and surprisingly gentle landing. He onl has to for for a dozen feet or so before drawing to a stop and lowering back down.
It takes a few moments for Megrasastis to untie herself, then she's back on the ground.. and actually digs her toes into the dirt for a moment. "How's my hair?" she asks. It definitely looks wind-blown.
"Wind-blown. It's a good look for you," Alptraum claims. "Seriously. You should do more flying to find calm."
The woman tries to claw-comb her hair into some kind of order, and says, "Or I could wear it in a bun." Eventually she just pulls the hood of her robe over it all, and then closes her robes up as well. "Why didn't you tell me my chest was exposed?"
"Because you have a nice chest," Alptraum answers simply. "And no buns, they make you look old."
"If you want to see my chest, visit me in your Eeee form," Megrasastis offers. "I'm old enough by Yodhsunala standards."
"Depending on how you judge my age, I'm older than every Eeee in the city," Alptraum jokes. "I'll wait here for Sunala and her charge to be brought. I don't want to cause any more chaos in the Temple. And an escort is fine, if you want to send one."
"A High Priestess has to be at least thirty years old," Megrasastis says, but doesn't reveal her age. "I'll go talk to the avatar now, and see what She desires."
Alptraum nods. "I'll wait here and ... lay eggs or something," he jokes.
It's a bit of a wait. Eventually a phalanx of barinala guards appears, with Megrasastis in the lead and two cloaked figures in the center. The guards don't show any fear, so must have either already seen Alptraum in flight or been told what to expect. Once the get close enough though, the first cloaked figure breaks out of the formation and runs to Alptraum, arms reaching out. "Down where I can hug you," Srinala requests.
Alptraum lowers himself down as far as he can. "Of course," he says and very gently leans into the small Eeee.
Srinala gets her arms around Alptraum's neck and hugs. "You are a bit cold," she notes.
"Scales are not known to be warm, sorry. And the warm parts of a dragon are not safe to be around," Alptraum claims, and this time actually doesn't mean something rude.
"I must secure you," Megrasastis says, and lifts Srinala up onto Alptraum's shoulders and begins to tie her in place using the dragon's hair.
"I've never flown like this," Srinala says with excitement.
"I'll be gentle with her. No climbs and dives like with you," Alptraum tells Megrasastis. "I know the importance of her and I will not risk her harm."
"What? I want excitement!" Srinala claims. Pouncer eventually climbs up behind her, and Megrasastis begins to tie her in place as well.
"Within the limits of also being safe," Alptraum tells her, looking back at the other two.
Megrasastis is finally satisfied. A Rakh'tor and rider land nearby - their escort. The ride is armed with a heavy crossbow and javelins, in case anyone threatens them.
Alptraum has to wonder about who would threaten a dragon. "I'll bring them back safe and whole, I promise," he tells Megrasastis. "Just ... everyone move back so I can have a clear launching path?"
The guards move back, but Megrasastis moves back just enough to be safe.
Alptraum dips his head to Megrasastis. Then he's off. Not quite as fast or reckless as he was with Megrasastis, of course, but still a brisk pace and the a quick ascent. It's meant to be fun, but also safe.
Srinala squeals at the launch and ascent, while Pouncer makes a more distressed sound at the launch.
"Are you okay, Pouncer?" Alptraum calls back. "You're both completely safe, I promise!"
"I'm alright!" Pouncer claims, but Alptraum can feel her really holding tight to his hair. Srinala is laughing and not holding onto his hair. Her arms and wings are spread, with the shredded vanes flapping like streamers.
Alptraum supposes it's the difference in creatures that are supposed to fly, and those that are not. Freedom, limitless freedom. Alptraum banks, and since they're tied in, does a barrel-roll and dives.
This elicits more happy screaming sounds. "Do that again, but with fire!" Srinala requests.
That isn't exactly the idea of 'safe', but... Alptraum shakes his head some then climes a bit so he can do exactly that, roll while flaming out, which would make a spiral of fire in the air. Also probably make a lot in the city really nervous.
"Wooo!" Srinala cheers. "Show me the city!" she asks next. "I don't care if we're seen! Sunala on a dragon is fine."
This might get him in trouble but ... he gestures back towards the escort to follow, then heads out and over the city now.
The escort actually takes the lead in this, charting what they deem to be a 'safe' course. Not getting low enough to fly between the towers, but also not avoiding things like the plaza, Coalition and Mages towers.
Alptraum's own relationships with those Towers ought to make them safe enough anyway. He also does let the escort guide and lead, out of respect and of understanding they likely do know the safest routes.
"Roaring is probably too much," Srinala says. "But.. I can feel the people down there at the plaza. Avoid the Wound though.. that feels too dark."
"It is. There is a lot of grief there and unsettled loss. It is a hole in the heart. And the remains that drift in the void are no better,," Alptraum calls back. And yes, roaring is too much, he doesn't want anyone to think the city is under attack.
There's still come commotion, and people point up and trying to see the dragon against the Procession. The escort's barding has Sunala's symbol on it, white against black for extra visibility. It's unlikely that anyone below would notice Srinala or Pouncer though. But some take to the air to try and get a closer look.
Alptraum hehs. Well, he does suppose it is also a good publicity stunt for the temple, and probably why it was agreed to. Alptraum keeps an eye on those that draw closer, but as long as they are not armed he does not try to move away, or become defensive.
"More fire," Srinala says. "I don't want anyone getting too close." There are large shapes in the air now.. Rakh'tors and Pteras. They're probably from the other Temples that have them, but could Coalition or private soldiers too.
Alptraum isn't sure of the wisdom of that, but ... more fire it is. Instead of a column out, more of a rolling boil that flows and trails in a stream of deep red and some smoke.
This dissuades the individual flyers, which drop lower, and keeps the mounted ones at a distance. The escort makes a loop around the Mages Tower, low enough that observers could see Srinala.
Asserting power? That could be problematic. The need to work together is important right now. Still, Alptraum follows the escort for now, though uneasy about it. It's always a delicate balance.
At least he doesn't have to roar, just look impressive. The Mages probably know who he is though, so having Srinala riding him isn't much of a surprise. It's not like when the Shrine Maiden road naked on the Silver Dragon right through the city before! The guards at the flyers landing wave as they all fly past. Then the escort is climbing again.
"There's magic everywhere, in all of the towers," Srinala says. "I've never been this close before."
Alptraum makes a point of waving to the guards as well before he follows after the escort upwards. "Many are supported by magic. The one we just passed is the Mages Guild, and where the Avenger lives," he explains. "They are good people and are trying to help."
"They've been mediating and mixing with the Yodhzakaro, I hear," Srinala says. "They've been helping you, right?"
"Yes, on both things," Alptraum answers. "I consider them allies in helping build a future for the city. They accept me as I am."
The escort is heading back towards the edge of the city - no flyby of the Coalition Tower it seems.
Which is also understandable, given they tried to exterminate the Coalitions. Still, it would have been a gesture if they had. But ... Alptraum follows the escort. He's not wishing to irritate the Coalition, after all.
Soon they're circling Mount Sunala again, but doing a low pass. To show off of course, and maybe remind the Yodh of the power of the Barsunala.
Alptraum follows, feeling a little conspicuous. He's not out to agitate the Yodhsunala, they're one of the more dangerous groups when it comes down to it. Technically assassins, though that's not been an official charter for a bit now.
There are plenty out now to witness the flyby. Someone must have either spread the word or Megrasastis ordered it. It may be to show Alptraum's power.. or it may be to show Sunala's authority. She's not spreading her arms out now, but holding onto Alptraum's hair as if she's guiding him. But the escort does head back to the clearing next. Srinala's guards are still there, along with Megrasastis.
Alptraum doesn't follow the escort this time. Not at first. This time Alptraum climbs again. One last rush of a dive for Srinala before they return. This flight was more intended for fun and less about power, at least to him. It's a graceful arc at the apex, then a curl and dive with a bit of a flame out as goes in to land too.
The Avatar lets out an undignified squeal of joy at the maneuver. Luckily it's just her private guards and the High Priestess there to witness.
Alptraum moves to land, and touches down gently and with a short trot. Then he's looking back at the pair to make sure they're okay. And that Pouncer hasn't puked.
Pounce is definitely looking wobbly back there, but still staying in character as a silent Savanite. Megrasastis is there as soon as Alptraum comes to a stop, untying Srinala. "That was great!" the girl enthuses. "I got to see the city, and fly Meggy!"
Alptraum lowers down as far as he can and chuckles. "Well, I think that was successful for one of them, at least. Shadow looks like she might pass out," he says.
Once she's freed, Pouncer slides down and takes a moment to get her balance. Srinala puts an arm around her back to help steady the taller girl.
Alptraum also uses his tail to help keep her upright. He also leans in close enough to whisper, "Thank you."
Pouncer signs, "That was fun!"
"You look like you wanted to die, though," Alptraum signs in reply with one forelimb.
"That is just excitement," Pouncer signs. "I still want to go to the city on my feet too."
"She couldn't go with you, then," Alptraum signs, "But it can be arranged."
"I want to dance!" Pouncer signs while smiling.
"There are options for that, and should be safe," Alptraum signs. "Though your feet will give you away."
"I can hide my spots," the girl claims.
"And pretend to just be a Khatta?" Alptraum asks.
"I AM just a Khatta," Pouncer insists.
"No, you're a friend," Alptraum points out. "And yes, the spots can be hidden pretty easily."
"When will you come for me?" she then signs. Being out on a dragon ride may have emboldened her a bit.
"Soon, I think. I should just arrange some additional protection at a venue first," Alptraum signs. "A place I trust."
"I'll be waiting!" the teenager signs excitedly, before the guards come to take them back to their secured quarters.
"Well, that went better than I expected," Alptraum says to Megrasastis. "I won't occupy or distract the temple any further tonight. And I apologize for any problems that arise from it."
"It was overall a good visit," Megrasastis says. "You should visit more often. Not necessarily as a dragon though."
"It tends to instill strong feelings in several ways. I'm just careful about visiting on average as many of the Yodh here are suspicious, hate, or generally wary of me," Alptraum says.
"You can change that be present more often," Megrasastis claims. "We all know of your work with the other Yodh. We would like some attention too."
"We'll see. Of all the Temples I admit I feel the least welcome here," Alptraum says. "And some of the Yodh did try to kill me in the past. I assume you're aware of that."
"We are Yodhsunala, it comes with the territory so to speak," Megrasastis says with a sigh. "It is why we keep Srinala in a secure building. I am not keen to purge or imprison the Yodh that are threats, as that only makes them more of a threat."
"Well, just remember I can do worse to them than kill them. And hopefully they know that too," Alptraum says.
"Maybe that will be necessary to dissuade them of their opinions," Megrasastis says. "A trip to the Sea of Souls and back is supposed to open one's mind."
"And if not, we could use more Rakh'tors," Alptraum remarks a bit dryly.
"I will see to getting Srinala and Daughter-of-Shadows safely back to their quarters now," Megrasastis says. "Be sure to visit me as well when you can."
Alptraum blinks. That's surprising. She's never expressed any interest in him visiting her before. "All right," Alptraum says. "I'll get going so I don't draw more of a crowd."
The High Priestess nods, and pats Alptraum on the cheek before escorting the guards, Srinala and Pouncer back to the Temple.
Alptraum blinks even more. He's not sure how to take that. Alptraum turns and then after a short bound, goes back to the air!
Mount Sunala is soon behind him, and Mount Inala is right next to it.
Alptraum banks and decides to drop in on Mount Inala first, since it's right there, so Tulani knows he's okay. Though for some reason he lands out in the graveyard instead of the top. Just felt a weird compulsion to.
He's greeted by a growl from one of the crypts. "Who dares invade my territory?" a deep voice rumbles, made deeper by the echoes inside the crypt.
"Alptraum," Alptraum calls back towards the crypt, "I'm just heading up to the summit." He's feeling a bit weird, though, with the urge to lift his hindquarters and tail. Is Inala still messing with him? Is he seriously having lust for a male demon, while male?
"No, you are not the rat," Rhugaro claims, sticking his broad snout out of the crypt. "Something else. Not Naga. Not Eeee. What are you?"
"Dragon. Giant lizard," Alptraum replies. "I can be anything, this is what I am today."
The demon emerges fully and looks at Alptraum.. then charges at hime!
Alptraum squawks! He wing flaps and tries to dodge! Why did he even land HERE? He knows the demon is here!
The demon hits Alptraum in the side of his chest and bowls him over. Rhugaro must outweigh him, despite his size.
Alptraum oooofs! and goes rolling. "Ow, ow ow," the dragon complains. How can that thing be heaver than him?!
The demon may as well be made of stone. It eventually pins Alptraum onto his back, in what is probably a dominance move.
Alptraum looks up, eyes wide. "I was leaving!" he squawks. Boy is he feeling some weird and conflicting emotions right now. "What do you want?"
"This is my territory! You will submit!" the demon demands.. and then Alptraum finds himself being dominated in an unexpected way as Rhugaro forcibly enters him.
Alptraum's scales almost want to stand on end! He feels like he sat on a tree. "....ow," he squeaks out in shock and horror. What does this demon think submitting means? Being his 'doe'? And then it gets worse, when his own body bucks and helps push the demon in deeper.
It's unpleasant, especially with the weight of Rhugaro slamming down on Alptraum's genitals with each push. It does need seem sexual at all though, just him asserting his dominance.
Each slam hurts and makes the dragon squawk again, then again. And it's not helped that he's thrusting back and he doesn't even know why! Inala's revenge for him being male for 'too long'?
There's also biting, and Rhugaro has big teeth. He chooses to bite Alptraum's neck near the base (since it's reachable).
Alptraum glurks! That ensures he's not going anywhere! He's also having sudden flashbacks to Dar and the first time Hosheb buggered the bat. Hurt at first, but when it became easy for Hosheb to just push in ... that was the real whimpering moment. Egad, he hopes things work after this and he's not left spread wide!
The impacts are causing a bit of numbness. And then Rhugaro stops. He's actually drawn blood with his bite, and that seems to signal to him that he's 'won' the battle. "Say you submit now," he tells Alptraum.
"I submit," Alptraum squeaks out, wide-eyed and still.
Rhugaro gives a few more thrusts to drive home the hierarchy, then pulls out. It isn't clear if he actually released or even enjoyed it. He gets off of Alptraum so that the dragon can get back on his feet.
Alptraum lays there for a bit, then slowly sits up to check for, well, damage between his hind legs.
Alptraum also ends up asking Rugharo, "Did you, uhm ... finish?"
There are some scales missing, and dragon hips aren't really meant for that sort of position, so his joints ache. His lower belly looks a bit bruised as well, and he has a neck injury that's still bleeding a bit. "No, you are not my type," Rhugaro replies.
Alptraum finds himself saying, "But I want you to finish. Please?" Then he's blinking.
Alptraum then actually rolls over and lifts his tail in a better dragon position. And he's still blinking. What in Dagh's name is going on?
Rhugaro grunts, but mounts him again. It's a little better this time without anything else being pounded on. And no biting!
Alptraum grunts out at the weight, and feeling like he's on a tree again. "Thank you," the dragon wheezes out. He found he just, he couldn't, he had to. The body wanted the demon.
It takes some time and effort on Rhugaro's part, but he does eventually finish, and seems surprised about it. "Huh," he grunts. "Maybe would have been faster if you were a girl."
Alptraum feels that! It's an impressive weight fill. Alptraum wheezes. "I usually am," the dragon manages out as he pants. He sure didn't climax, yet feels satisfied for some reason. It's a really weird situation. "Thank you again. Worth submitting to," he wheezes.
"Hmm," the demon growls, and then pulls out to return to his crypt. "Remember who is in charge here," he reminds.
"The waddle will remind me," Alptraum whimpers as he does indeed ... waddle up the hill. And leaving a trail that tends to fade away once it has leaked out. Ooof, ouch, ugh, dagh is wrong with me?
A good flight is needed to work out the kinks left by Rugharo. No need for Tulani to see him walking funny! But once Alptraum is in the air and away from Mt. Inala, he hears an odd sound, a sort of gurgle-roar, which draws his attention to Mt. Gorphat.
Alptraum goes buh? That's a sound he's not heard before, and he's heard plenty come out of that weird place. At least a flight over is a chance to stretch out more, especially since he has to do it by going around the city and not through it.
The peak of the mountain is glowing, in a familiar sickly green-yellow. The ruins of an older shrine are up there, but abandoned since the the temple moved inside the mountain itself, and that's where the glow is coming from. And it's moving around as well.
Alptraum thinks that's rather worrisome! And additionally, if the cityfolk see it they may to start worrying too. And send in the pitchforks. So Alptraum wings his way that way hard to find out what is going on.
There's space to land outside of the ruins, and he also spots something like a glowing slime-trail that likely leads to whatever is causing the glow - and the gurgle-roar.
Alptraum lands where there is not slime, so he doesn't slip, or slide, or melt, or .. who knows?
The smell up close is a bit rancid and bilious, but nothing that seems poisonous - it's not giving off fumes or eating away the rock.
Alptraum leans down and ... licks a little to taste it.
Unsurprisingly, it tastes like.. rancid bile. As if it's come out of at least one end of a creature. Dragons have a very good sense of taste, and this is.. not the best thing to have tasted.
Alptraum ends up spitting and gagging! and licks some dirt to kill the taste. Shaking his head a bit, he now tries to follow that slime trail up the mountain and wishing he'd not have done that.
It seems weave through the ruins, never crossing itself but following the path of ancient hallways perhaps. Sometimes all that's left of the walls are lines of stones on the ground, but the trail never crosses them.
Alptraum hmms, interesting. Why they would follow the old hallways? I would be easier to just cross over, but ... the dragon follows the same, trying to trace the path as if it was a game of a sort instead of just crossing over gone walls.
Where there are walls, there are sometimes bits of skin scraped off onto the stone. It doesn't show the hallmarks of shed snake skin, as there is not scaling, and the sections look wet as well.
Alptraum pauses to look at that skin and see if she can make anything of it at all. Also sniffs it, probably to his own regret.
It doesn't smell as bad as the trail, but it also doesn't smell pleasant. A bit diseased, as if it sloughed off due to a skin condition.
Alptraum shakes his head again and sneezes, and soon continues on trying to follow the slime trail. Breathing more through the mouth than the nose to limit issues with the stink.
As it wends its way through the less ruined part of the complex, Alptraum spots the end of something. It's thick and green and shiny, a bit like the tail of a slug, as it slowly vanishing around a corner. It's leaving behind the trail, and also glowing.
Alptraum slows a bit, but continues to follow along, creeping where he can to try and get a look at whatever it is he's following.
Around the corner is a better look at the thing. It undulates as it moves, like a giant caterpillar. He also sees the trailing edge of a greasy black mane running down the center of it, but the glow makes it difficult to pick out surface details. It's also bend around another corner, so he can't tell just long it is, but it's as thick around as he is.
Alptraum ughs. That looks just ... nasty. Alptraum speeds up again, trying to catch up to it. What is it? Why is it here? the dragon wonders. "Hello?" he also finally calls out after it.
The rippling motion stops, and something rises up over the walls of the ruins. It's got a head that's somewhere between a Naga and an Eeee, and along its underbelly are dozens of pairs of wet breasts. It's eyes are green and not glowing, which makes it easier to see them as it turns its head to look at the dragon. The hair is thicker and longer on the hair, hanging down like a slimy curtain between the fan-like ears. "Alptraum," it gurgles in a familiar voice. "I knew you would come visit."
Alptraum tilts his head. "Er ... Gorphat?" he finally asks as stares at this living horror before him, looking for any other limbs other than those rows of deformed breasts. "What ... are you?"
There don't seem to be any other limbs present, so not a giant Naga form. "The Plague Worm," Gorphat gurgles. "Ancient Lore, from before the Yodhgorphat purged the undercity with fire. The Plague Worm would make its way through the area, devouring the sick and infirm."
"That is ... truly horrifying," Alptraum admits as he draws closer to it. "Why are you ... in that form?" he asks worriedly.
"Because you are a dragon, my dear," Gorphat claims. "Is this not desirable to you?" She even does the undulation thing, making her breasts all bob in a wave. She also starts coming towards him, and this time does go over the walls.. or through them, rather.
Alptraum isn't sure that's desirable! He's also worried it might be infectious! That and he has no idea where anything, well, is on it. He takes a few steps back, saying, "Oh, you're beautiful and desirable in all forms! I just .."
Sheets of skin slough off as the serpent closes in. "Just roll onto your back," Gorphat gurgles, bubbles of foam forming at the corners of her giant mouth.
Alptraum actually squeaks! He could just take off and flee! But, that would offend the Goddess. The dragon whimpers a bit, but does sort of fall over and roll onto his back.
Soon he's caught in the clammy coils of the worm, held firm by sticky boobs. And Gorphat licks along his neck, her breath.. well, is exactly what he expects. Dragons are tough though! So his eyes don't water. The worm's body undulates as it wraps him of course.
Alptraum is disturbed by both how gross this feels and how arousing it is too! He's soon squirming and straining his neck to try and get further ... away? That smell is nausiating. "You're not too infected, are you?" he whimpers.
"It pours from me," Gorphat claims. "My digestion is strong enough to kill most of it, of course. Why do you ask?" Her face is right next to his now, and is.. much bigger! Her tongue wraps completely around his head. It's sticky.
"Because you might infect me!" Alptraum squeals out and then glurgs now that his head is wrapped by sticky. It's like living bandages, and he knows what those feel like to wear a lot. HE's also frustrated by the fact he's actually aroused now too.
Gorphat's reply to the fear.. is to pull Alptraum's head completely into her mouth for a kiss. She's also begun moving down between his legs now that he's properly aroused.
Alptraum glumphs! His head is now in darkness, stink, and slime! If he gets away unaffected, he'll be amazed. He's squirming now and seeing if he can reach uo to pry that maw off his head before he suffocates!
The squirming seems to excite the worm! And soon Alptraum's arousal is inside.. but it isn't clear if there was an opening for that of it the flesh just parted for it. It's cool and gooey, as if the flesh is also a bit like jelly. But it moves. At least one of his arms is free though to try and pry open Gorphat's jaw. And she does release the kiss, only to say, disturbingly, "I could just gobble you up."
"I would prefer if you didn't!" Alptraum squeaks out and gasps for breath. His hips also roll on instinct in that disturbing, gooey, embrace. Oh Gods, he's going to reek after this. Hopefully it will dissipate? And hopefully he comes out fully, well intact. The last intimate encouter with Gorphat left him with, er, penile problems.
The flesh sort of flows around him, which is definitely something new. There's none of the traditional friction involved, despite his reflexive response. Gorphat laughs her rattling laugh. His other hand is now sort of being absorbed into one of the belly-breasts. The boundaries between his and her flesh seem to be breaking down everywhere she's wrapped around him as well. "You should not deny yourself any attentions from a Goddess," Gorphat claims.. and her divine aura comes out then, making her beautiful. Or rather making Alptraum feel that whatever he's seeing of her is beautiful.
"I've never denied you anything," Alptraum claims as he starts to panic as parts of himself sinks into her body. "You are the Goddess I have loved, willingly, and never tricked into doing so. I do cherish our times together, and your gifts."
"Yessss," Gorphat hisses hypnotically as parts of begin to ooze into Alptraum's recently-bruised rear. And also.. into his aroused member as well.
That makes Alptraum squirm and buck in a panic. "What's going on?" he asks, all panicky and worried! Things dont' normally flow up inside him like that! Well, the shadow does, but not ... this!
"Calm yourself.." Gorphat coos. "I am only infecting you slightly," she promises. But the invasion continues throughout his body. It doesn't feel bad, but very odd, as his flesh and Gorphat's cohabit the same space. He can feel her slide within him. And also encroach deeper into both Inala's Staff and Gorphat's Mouth.
Alptraum thinks this doesn't feel slight at all. Anything moving around in either of those always feels kind of massive! "Infecting me with what?" Alptraum asks in a pained sort of whisper. It's not an unpleasant sensation; and at times it actually feels kind of good and makes him moan.
"With my love," Gorphat claims. The worm is moving through Alptraum now. He can feel it in his organs, and even his lungs at times. It's activating sensations he never new existed before. Various internal organs have taste-buds, and now he can actually taste through them. The infiltration of his arousal continues, now past the root and still going, while the motion through his bum is actually soothing some of the lingering ache. Still, it's a bit disturbing.
Alptraum's eyes widen. He tries to talk and instead just sort of gurgle-moans. Why does it feel so good and disturbing at the same time. His hips are bucking on reflex, trying to help push Gorphat's essence in deeper. "Please," the dragon whimper-moans, "Fill me, and infect me. I need it, I need you."
"As you wish," Gorphat replies, and Alptraum is filled. He feels her in his glands now, his tail, limbs and wings. Pushing inward from all directions, building pressure. And then the direction changes, and all of her seems to be flowing from tail to head. And with that flow she drags out his release, although he can't really tell which is him and which is her as the flow continues. It turns his entire body into fountaining shaft. And then it's gone, and he's left covered in slime and coughing up foul-tasting bile.
Alptraum suddenly realizes this is probably bad. Hell, he knew it a while ago, but he got lost in the sensations. And now he's inside it, is it, and flows through him. The dragon lays there, coughing and gagging on that fowl-tasting bile as things ... end. He's shaking too, trying to get off some of the slime and stink. "Dagh," he coughs, "I am an idiot." He also thinks he needs a bath, bad.
Alptraum tries to sort of sit up and shake off more of that slime. Then he remembers something and tries to curl and het a look at his junk and butt. She was inside them.
Well, it's still outside at least, and oozing from the tip. The orifice not far behind it is also oozing. There's also some bubbling, and the smell is not pleasant.
Alptraum reaches down with both hands. One hand trying to squeeze the goo out of the tip. As for his backside, he gingerly tests the muscle and tries to spread it to drain easier.
It takes quite a lot of work before both stop oozing. For the one, it's like squeezing out a sponge, as he can feel the goo coming out of the erectile tissue as well.
Alptraum rolls over to all fours and crawls out of the slime. Then he's actually trying to, well, pee, and flush things out.
It doesn't add to the aroma, and there are some pop-pop-pop sounds that don't help. But it only burns a little bit, so couldn't be that bad could it?
Alptraum tries to watch as he continues trying to empty himself, and see what comes out. Ugh. What did she do? Nothing, hopefully and was just teasing him.
He can't be sure what dragon urine is supposed to look like, or how caustic it is, so it isn't clear if what he sees is normal. But once the flow stops, that's it. If that didn't get it all out, nothing will.
Alptraum shakes some more, trying to get the slime to sloth off. He's also trying to remember if there are any lakes he can go bathe in that aren't used by others.
There aren't any lakes this close to the city, as most rivers have been diverted to supply it. And who knows what dripping on things could do, if the stuff is diseased. There's always fire of course.
Alptraum tries to use his own fire on himself to burn off the goo, but not damage himself. So, it's a bit of an experiment.
At a low flame, the goo does boil away into fowl green smoke, and some of the smell goes with it.
Alptraum works on his groin first, then the rest of himself, carefully, to try and get it all off. He has no idea how to get it off his head, though.
It tingles and tickles a bit, as the areas are sensitive, but the fire bath does wonders. The head is definitely going to be tricky though, as it's not like blow flame upwards and have it fall onto him.
Alptraum tries looking down and breathing out fire to see if it will curl upward and clear his face off. Eyes closed of course.
This works somewhat, as fire does rise. It doesn't help for the stuff on top of and on the back though, where it's matted into the recently added white mane.
Alptraum finds a clear spot to flop over and roll around a bit to try to scrape the rest off. And then tries to use the shadow to get rid of the rest.
The shadow somehow gets sticky. It takes some effort, but the shadow is able to separate the goo from scales and hair, leaving it all as a glop on the ground.
Alptraum whews! All clean and back to normal. He bends over one more time to make sure his junk has been 'put back away' and everything looks okay.
Things appear to be back to normal, without any inflammation. No itching yet.
Alptraum finally wings back to the air. This time, back to Mount Inala, changing back to normal, and getting a bath. That was disgusting and awful. Why did he even go find her? Oh, right, she was making a racket.
Tulani pours more hot water into Alptraum's bath. "I don't know what this is for," she admits. "It's your breath that stinks right now."
"All of me needs to get clean. He also grabs some water and gargles.
"All of me needs to get clean," Alptraum complains. He also grabs some water and gargles, then spits repeatedly into an outside bucket.
"Yes, yes, but we just rolled around in the grass and dirt a bit," Tulani says. "When I transformed back, it all washed off.. but that's probably from the frost. I don't know if anyone spotted me fetching our clothes from the top of the tower though."
"I had to make some other stops too, that made me need to wash," Alptraum says as he goes about scrubbing with soap. He even soaps the inside of his mouth, and in other delicate places to try and clean. Ugh, ugh, UGH!
"Where did you stop that made you need this?" Tulani asks, keeping back from the splash zone. "You're going to disappear under the suds at this rate."
"Mount Gorphat," Alptraum answers, as if that really ought to explain everything.
"I'll get more soap," Tulani replies, and goes to do just that. She returns with some of Mave's floral scented liquid stuff. "There might be some mint liqueur for your breath.."
Alptraum thinks that was the correct answer to her declaration. "Please," Alptraum pleads. HE also checks his junk again, because he's paranoid.
It's still there! Which itself is impressive this long after transforming. The liqueur is soon presented in a small glass. It smells strong. "I'd spit it out rather than swallow it," Tulani advises.
Alptraum dumps it all in his mouth and swishes for thirty seconds before spitting it back out. His mouth feels like it's on fire.
More water is brought to rinse off the bat, and eventually the soap starts to run thin. "You're going to scrub off your fur if aren't careful," Tulani points out.
Alptraum rinses off, finally, and gets out of the tub. This must be the cleanest he's ever been. And he breathes out. "Right, now I can go see Cricket," he says, "And let her know the Bun is fine."
"And give her all the sordid details," Tulani adds, and pats Alptraum on the butt. "I hope she likes your knew scent."
Alptraum sniffs himself, JUST to be sure.
He smells fresh and flowery.
"Right, I'll be off to dress then and get going," Alptraum says. He feels grateful he's even still alive, and intact. Clothing it is, and he'll pack women's clothing too, just in case he needs it later.
The night air feels extra brisk on recently scrubbed fur and skin. He doesn't see any panicking mobs on the plaza as he dips around to the underside, where The Laughing Chibix and Cricket's current workplace is.
Alptraum comes in to land then heads into the Inn. "Hello!" he says, "It is I! I have returned. Your bunny is fine."
Cricket pokes her head out of her office and waves Alptraum inside. "You don't have to announce it out loud like that," she says, then pinches her own cheek. "Sorry.. Yodhbarada reflex."
"Would you prefer I whisper it and act all sneaky?" Alptraum asks as he heads for the office. "Overall, it went well. There were complications, but were managed."
"What were the complications?" Cricket asks, sitting on the corner of her desk.
"He had a psychotic orgy-curse attached that would force everyone to fornicate until they died," Alptraum says, simply. "And it did get a few people. But no one died."
Cricket puts her head in her hands and moans squeakily. "They must all have traps like that!" she says. "There must be a way to find them before the procedures!"
"Actually, that would be easy. Each trap would need to be different to make it impossible to do that. Which is how I would have done it if I was the one setting things up," Alptruam notes. "But seriously, a cure was found and it was dealt with. It's all fine, everyone is okay. You did good."
The girl still pulls at her cheeks. "Secrets," she says, almost like a curse. "Secrets hidden inside of them, that I don't know. It's... inexcusable."
"There aren't really secrets. More like death traps," Alptraum notes.
"I should still know about them!" Cricket complains. "It only takes one of them to slip through, and everything will be ruined!"
"With me helping, do you really think it will slip through? This is why we get multiple people involved with different experiences. We help make up for each of our own limitations," Alptraum points out.
Cricket shakes some papers. "Each one should be listed along with the expected identity! Then the Mages will be safer and therefore more willing to help. You said some of them were affected this time. That shouldn't ever happen! It means I'm failing at my role."
Alptraum claps, loudly. "No, it doesn't. They knew there was likely a hidden trap that no one could detect. Not even them, or me. So they had people from all disciplines involved, and together we compensated for it. We work as a team. You included. You are part of it. Together, we succeeded. And that is what matters," he says.
"I could do more," Cricket says, more softly. "I'm a Yodhbarada. One of the last Yodhbarada. I have to be better, I have to show I can be useful to people." She looks to Alptraum. "I bet we could find the traps beforehand," she then says.
"Quite possibly. But as one of the last it also means you need to be careful," Alptraum says gently. "I'm pretty hard to kill. You aren't. I'll take a dagger or worse before I let someone harm you."
"I think a blessing from Barada, combined with your own abilities might do it," Cricket suggests. "I can't bless myself, and I don't have the sort of spirit abilities the Barsunala does."
Alptraum blinks. "I'm not sure I can channel Barada in that way. I mean, I can ask her, we're on good terms, I'm just not sure how much of a conduit I can be," Alptraum admits. "Maybe if I was younger and a girl it would help. Sort of be physically like Her daughters it might help. But ... I don't know."
"We can try!" Cricket says, hopping off of the desk. "Take your clothes off and lie down on the bed," she requests, as she goes through the room collecting some items.
Alptraum blinks again. "Now? Like, NOW, now?" he asks worriedly and does go about stripping his clothing off. He just bathed after all.
"Wow, you smell really nice!" Cricket comments as she sets candles atop the bedposts. She then sticks her nose right into Alptraum's belly for a deeper sniff.
Alptraum oof! "Well, yes, I had to bathe, a lot, after dealing with some stuff," Alptraum admits. "Don't get used to it."
"Why not?" Cricket asks. "What's wrong with smelling nice? I'd like to smell like that! I don't get to bathe as often as I'd like in here."
"I feel silly smelling this ... floral," Alptraum admits.
"You don't smell like death usually," Cricket points out. "So I don't think this is silly."
"I smell like things worse than that plenty enough," Alptraum points out, and sighs. He's trying to forget about earlier now. He should not have gone.
Cricket lights the candles, and says, "Well, it means I don't need to light any incense now."
Alptraum hopes that remains true. "So, what do I need to do, then?" he asks.
"Relaaaax," Cricket says, and rubs Alptraum's belly. "Try to meditate while I pray."
Alptraum thinks having his belly rubbed is odd. He's not a pet. So he tries to relax and meditate. Focus on clearing his mind and just calming down. It's not been a very calm day, after all.
Cricket's voice has a bit of a drone to it as she prays in the Yodhbarada's secret language. It does help defocus his mind though.
Alptraum doesn't usually hunt during the day. But today he just had to get away from camp.. specifically from a certain vixen. Ever since the foray into the underground ruin, Hexen had been getting weirder. It didn't help that she'd been changing physically as well as behaviorally! The Eeee didn't think that awkward night on the river would lead to Hexen trying to wear dresses that she couldn't fill, but then she did start to fill them. And to make it even weirder, she was clearly trying to be all girly around him now, and getting pouty when he didn't play into it. He'd heard the stereotypes about cats and vixens (always from townies though) but hadn't seen the Radovah girls exhibit that sort of behavior (although their mom was as close to a witch as the troupe had) so he shouldn't believe the stories about vixens either. Right?
Alptraum likes things simple and straightforward. No weird games! Or weird girls! Or girls that make simple things complicated. Not every action has some secret meaning behind it, after all. So, right now he's doing simple things, hunting. A thing of nature, that. Straightforward; find food, kill it, eat.
While listening for prey though, Alptraum hears something odd. It's not running water, but.. sorta similar? And not quite like a lute being strum either. More music than something the wind might produce though, but still oddly elusive.
Alptraum flicks ears about, trying to triangulate that sound. Even moves from one tree to another to try and pinpoint it.
At first it seems to be moving too, but then settles down in one spot, past some curtains of ivy where the trees are close together.
Alptraum moves towards it. Slowly and silently (he hopes)...
A peek through the ivy reveals something Alptraum has never actually seen before: unfiltered sunlight. It pours down in a golden stream over a small area of flowers, although in the center is a circular black blanket with patterns of golden thread across it, in the center of that is an Eeee sitting cross-legged. The sunlight gives them a sort of aura. It's a girl too! She's playing some odd stringed instrument (strumming it slowly, really) that is the source of the sound. And she's perfect. Then recognition hits: it's her, the crazy naked one from the ruins! And she's still naked.
"You know, sitting in the middle of strange forests while naked is rather dangerous," Alptraum comments from the tree he now hangs upside down from. "Especially in this country, that is. You're advertising yourself as a meal."
The strumming stops, and the girl turns her smiling face on Alptraum. "How do you know I'm not the predator, Alptraum?" she asks, her voice as warm as the golden light piercing the overcast. "Come sit with me."
"Cuz yer tiny and easily eaten," Alptraum points out, "An shouldn't you put some clothes on?" He unhooks his feet and wing-folds so he flips as he drops, landing on his feet. Then he wanders his way over, warily. "An you still don't have a tiara, Miss Fairy Princess."
The girl pats at her head. "Oh, I must have forgotten it when I grabbed my lute," she says. She then pats the blanket. "Come on now, the sunlight won't burn you."
Alptraum eyes it suspiciously. "It might?" he comments as he circles one more time before moving into the sunlight and sitting. True enough, he doesn't burst into flame. So, not an undead vampire, anyway!
It's very warm though. It makes things so.. colorful. He never realized just how colorful his own clothing really is. The perfect girl leans against them, her breast touching his arm! "So why are you out hunting during the daytime?" she asks.
Alptraum looks down and is reminded why he's hunting. "Cuz I seem t' have weird girls being all girly at me and it be creepy," he comments. "Well, mostly a fox girl bein' all girly instead of demselves and it's unsettlin. So needed t' git away."
A small hand is placed against Alptraum's bare chest. When did he take his shirt off? "Is it the girl part that upsets you then?" the girl asks. "Do you prefer tomboys or boys instead?"
Alptraum makes a face. "I .. dunno? I mean, I like girls fine. It's the acting 'girly' bit? All 'teehee'? Dat," he explains as he leans back a bit. Now he's trying to figure out if he likes boys. Some look nice, sure. But .. ack. Shakes his head. Where did that come from?
He finds himself leaning back into a pile of cushions that he doesn't recall being their before. "Do you like me?" the girl asks. "I'm not too girly an I? I don't hide behind my lashes, or act coy, or.. titter."
"Where did mah clothing go? Or dese pillows come from?" Alptraum asks suspiciously. "And of course ah like vou. Vou've usually been fun. Tho ... Vhatcha trying t' do now...?"
The girl puts a finger to her lips, and says, "Those are all secrets. That's the difference between boys and girls you know."
"Eeeeeh, you gots puffy chests and an innie instead of outie. Dat about it," Alptraum claims, as his hands go to said puffy place. "Vhy ya here buggin' me anyway? I no dat important."
"I wanted to see what you've learned from your friend!" the girl claims. "It's awkward for you because you don't have any secrets between you.. well, except for that one.. so there's no mystery, and mystery is what attracts boys to girls. I'm all mystery though. Do you want to kiss me, or just keep feeling me up?"
"Erm, I prolly kiss like a dead fish," Alptraum admits, "And taste like blood." An actual fear, really, he had growing up. Not that the folk didn't know he was a vampire, but ... tasting it kinda makes it more real."
Alptraum does lean in and try to kiss the girl, though, in true awkward young boy fashion, unsure where lips go. Or tongue.
Luckily she's there to guide him, both with lips and tongue. Whatever he might taste like, she tastes amazing. Like everything he can't eat, all distilled together. It goes on for quite a while, and she ends up straddling him. His pants are gone, but he probably doesn't care at this point.
Alptraum mmph. Is she a siren? Is this the lure before she eats his soul? He's head stories. Of course he can't stop the kiss even as his mind is going through the stories. Is this how you actually kiss? Guh, so practicing with a rhugrhat really was a bad idea after all. By the time it ends, he's a bit light-headed. And naked. "Don't eat me," he squeaks.
"Silly boy, I'm just a fairy," the girl claims. "Or a goddess! Do you have a preference? Do you want to see my Divine Aura?"
"Sure?" Alptraum squeaks. "And both fairies and goddesses eat people, so that doesn't mean much..."
"You asked for it!" the girl warns, and leans back. She spreads her wings, and the sunlight shines through them.. and somehow gets brighter in doing so. And she is perfect. Something Alptraum didn't know he was missing, something that fills him up to bursting. He doesn't love her, not exactly.. but something wells up inside of him that must be awfully close! And then it ends, leaving an emptiness within him again, only now he's aware of it. "Not too much," the goddess-girl claims. "Or you won't recover."
Alptraum squeaks. "De 'ell are you?" he finally asks after that bit of ... something. He doesn't like how he feels all of a sudden. "An why ya hauntin' me? What I do to deserve torture?"
"Torture?" the girl asks in shock, putting a delicate hand to her breast. "I thought we had fun together? Like you and your friend used to."
"I feel like ah am being played wit," Alptraum admits, "An I dunno why. Cuz no one actually like a freak like me. Well, dat fox does, but she a freak too."
"Freaks are dear to the gods you know," the girl claims, wagging a finger. "We don't reveal ourselves to normal people! Have you ever even heard of a normal person claiming to have met a god?"
"No, just crazy people. Agh! Dat it, I gone nuts," Alptraum realizes. "Explains everyt'ing."
"Oh, it's not that bad, just ask my sister sometime!" the girl says. "But, there is a really real reason I summoned you!"
"To take advantage of mah innocence and ravish me?" Alptraum asks, perhaps hopefully?
"Yes! But also to give you something," the girl claims. "Which requires the ravishing part, actually."
"Wait ... I hear ravishing causes disease," Alptraum gasps. "You gonna make me funky?!?"
"I can't cause disease," the girl claims. "Otherwise my other sister would be upset."
"Vou haf a sister that causes disease?" Alptraum squeaks, wide-eyed. "Vhat you givin me den? If not disease?"
"I'm all about secrets," the girl confides, leaning in close. "Like how your friend is taking dancing lessons from her mother. And which of the Khatta girls actually likes you. So my gift to you is going to also be about secrets. Special secrets hidden so deep down, that only a taste of death can bring them peeking out."
"Wait, a Radovah actually likes me?" Alptraum says, perking up. Then deflating quick at the last part. "Killin' to get answers is no good."
"Did I say killing?" the girl asks. "I said a taste of death. And a taste of death is actually.. really good."
"Eh? 'ow? People usually taste death when going: 'ow ow ow ow!" Alptraum points out.
"I speak of the Little Death, of course," the girl claims. "You.. you do know what that is right?"
"No?" Alptraum admits.
The girl dances her claws lightly up Alptraum's chest, and asks, "Do you remember that night on the river, when you really realized that Hexen was a girl?"
"Yah? Wait, before or after I felt horrified?" Alptraum has to ask. Lots of weird feelings that night.
"Well, when you were inside of her, right at the end," the girl narrows it down. "Remember how that felt?"
Alptraum has to think about that. "Avralie..?" he replies hesitantly. ""Dat no like dyin'."
"It is a bit of what dying feels like, just for a moment," the girl claims. "If you do it right. You'll see soon enough. Well, not too soon but.. soon."
"I will?" Alptraum says. Boy are boys dense. He's under a naked girl, and he's naked. And she's straddling him. Still can't follow that map, this one.
"Well, here's a hint," the girl says, and reaches down to touch him there.. but this time with a bit of that goddess aura. The reaction is pretty strong. A lot stronger than when he was with Hexen and had no idea what was happening!
Alptraum lets out quite the squeak! Hopefully no other Eeee nearby heard that. Or a lapi, but it might have even been out of their range. He's left wheezing wide-eyed!
Alptraum checks to make sure it didn't blow off!
He's never seen it look so.. big.. before! It's almost frightening.. and this is what Hexen wants from him? It must just be a trick of the light. It's always been dark before, even if that never really mattered much to his eyes.
"What vou do?!" Alptraum squeaks and looks between her and, well .. .it. And before he can even stop himself, he's putting it inside her.
"Just a minor blessing," the girl says, and wiggles down into his lap. If kissing her felt like all the things he couldn't taste, this is ten times as amazing! "It's a normal response to divinity, nothing any of my sisters would chide me over!" she claims, almost defensively. "This is normal. Well, for me it's normal. All boys dream of me, see me hidden in every girl.. that sort of thing."
Alptraum's eyes are trying to roll back in his head. His dignified reply at first is an unf!. Then he's moving and can't help it. "How many sisters do you have? They don't all know about me, do they?" he whines.
"I have six," the goddess-girl claims, and moves with Alptraum. "They all know of you, of course." She doesn't say it in an ominous way at least. And at least Alptraum can still think clearly enough to ask.
Except being known by any sort of god is usually ominous and a portent of doom. Good thing he can't really think about that right now! HE's a bit, well, distracted.
The girl knows.. tricks? Well, techniques. She doesn't look any older than Alptraum, but knows when to speed up and when to slow down, when to press close and when to leave room for hands. And when to lick and when to bite and when to kiss. If Hexen knew this stuff..
Alptraum is glad Hexen doesn't! If she did it would make things even more weird! How can you stay friends and do stuff like this without it getting all weird? He's not even sure how his hands seem to know what to do. The urge is just to go as fast as he can, typical guy.
But this goddess knows all the secrets to controlling boys! She's getting him to do what she wants.. but also making it what he wants in the process. But she's always in charge.. until she smiles and lets him take control!
Alptraum is also more worried about what she wants! Every story of any God who claims someone is chosen, is usually chosen for something bad. It's Sylvanian tradition and all he can compare to! Except the Sylvanian Heresy, but that's not a story for polite company. Of course when he gets into control it's ... what you'd expect from a young boy. Energetic and driven! And not very skilled.
Still, she clings to him and whispers into his ear. He isn't sure what she's whispering though.. it just sort of flows into him. It's barely noticeable though at the moment! After all the buildup, it feels like he really is exploding! His heart stops, and something clicks in place in his mind, like if all those whispers where a cord and know it's knotted in place.
Alptraum yeps, there's the doom. He figures she just cursed him, that's what gods do, isn't it? All that mumbling? Not that he can think too much on that when things seem to explode and he's seeing stars, and feeling, well, everything.
"There," the girl says. "I've attached something to the Little Death, something like an eye, to see the things that hide waiting for true death."
Alptraum thinks that sounds extremely ominous. "Are you planning to have me kill someone?" he asks, weakly, as he still trembles.
"Quite the opposite," the goddess says. "You're going to save people."
"From what?" Alptraum asks, feeling that seems even more like doom.
"From hidden curses," the girl says. "Curses that are there to hurt not just them, but others who try to help them. But you'll be able to draw them out just enough to identify them first. It's what my priestess prayed for, after all."
Alptraum nods a little. "But to use it I ... have to have sex with them? Even the guys?" Alptraum asks.
"Yes, but don't worry about that," the girl says. "You'll also be what they desire the most, so it will work out fine."
Alptraum squints. "What priestess asked for this? Shouldn't she have it?" he asks.
"It only works because you are our Little Death," the goddess claims.
"That worries me," Alptraum whimpers. "You make it sound like I belong to you."
"Do you belong to your family?" the girl asks.
"Kinda?" Alptraum says.
"Then you 'kinda' belong to me and my sisters too," the girl states confidently. "Is that a problem? Don't you love me?"
Alptraum peers. "How can I be related to a Goddess?" he now has to ask. "You imply we're family! I just worry because chosen folk are usually in trouble."
"Do the dead talk to you, Alptraum?" the girl asks, with an expression that says she already knows the answer.
"Sooooometimes?" Alptraum whimpers.
"So we call you Little Death," the goddess says. "And that is your calling and your power."
"That is ... worrying," Alptraum claims, blinking. "So I'll be seeing more of you ... and your sisters?"
"Oh.. I couldn't say," the girl claims, putting a finger to her lips again. "It's a secret."
"A very doom-laden secret," Alptraum claims. He rubs over his face a bit. "Wha should I tell dis priestess dat needed your help iffin I meet her?"
"Oh, you don't have to tell her anything," the girl says. "She already knows, and she's beside you right now."
Alptraum bwah? "I have a girl next to me?" Alptraum asks, looking confused. This is a dream of the 'past' after all!
The goddess points to his right side.
Alptraum looks to his right side?
He sees her there, kneeling next to the bed he's on, inside a stone chamber. The priestess looks up, and it's a girl his age, just like the goddess, only she's got one brown eye and one silver eye. She's not perfect, but she's pretty. "Alptraum?" she asks. "Did you get the blessing? You're.. young.."
Alptraum blinkblinks. "Yes? From Barada. After she boinked me. Or during," he admits as he sits up, feeling all gangly. "I thought you wanted your Goddess' touch, though. To commune with her?" He of course says all of that in Sylvanian without thinking.
"Through you," Cricket says. "I couldn't take the blessing myself, after all. How was it, seeing her?"
"I've seen her before. A few times, really," Alptraum claims. "She's actually ... quite personable? She doesn't come across as imperious, or overpowering usually. A bit kind, and a bit sneaky. She's honestly a lot like you are. She's prettier, but the mannerisms are similar. You are a lot like her. For good or bad."
"How much prettier?" Cricket asks. "You lust after me more than her, don't you?"
"Goddesses are always prettier. Kinda goes with the territory. You scare me less, so I suppose I lust more?" Alptraum offers He reaches up to rub his nose, which does have the ring in, and since he's smaller, it feels ... bigger.
"Oh, good!" Cricket says. "I'm pretty sure the Barsunala is the only boyfriend I'm allowed to have after all."
"Maybe. Not sure on that. There would be a lot better than me," ALptraum claims, right before he pulls her onto the cot.
"But I'm your favorite!" Cricket insists as she sheds her robe. "You marked me after all! And gave me nice boobs too."
Alptraum pulls Cricket on top, and after a moment, he's inside her. Young are quick to arouse, after all! "You belong to me," he claims as he does so. "Which is why you have one of my eyes."
"Ooooo," the girl coos. "Well, you have both of your eyes, so I'm your third eye," she claims. "I'm watching for you."
"Right now, riding me," Alptraum claims, and starts rolling hips.
"Am I riding,?" she asks, rolling back. She is not so skilled as her goddess, especially given that she's only had Alptraum to teach her so far. But she's young and playful, which isn't something you necessarily get with experience.
Alptraum nods. "You are," he claims, probably grateful for something normal after what happened on Mt. Gorphat. Cots aren't big, so it's a bit of a shuffle till he's on top and she is under him. Then he can really roll and go. And he can pin her down.
This cause her to squeal and giggle (and jiggle). She also flails her legs around a bit. "Oh, don't bite me!" she mock pleads.
Alptraum therefore, of course, bites her. And has a meal. It has been a bit, after all. HE doesn't stop moving, though, which means blood does flow!
"Eeeee!" the girl squeals, and has her first little death, which doesn't reveal any hidden curses that Alptraum can tell. Although there is a sense of Barada winking at him through Cricket, somehow.
Alptraum snerks a bit at that. He keeps going since he's not had his moment, yet! Must be because of the dream, given young guys are typically hair-trigger!
Of course, young guys can be up and ready again in just a few minutes too, so maybe it matters less. Cricket is not entirely on a hair trigger, but the first one just means she's getting warmed up. Now she's pumping her legs in and out to add to the momentum of her hips as she gives Alptraum more of a ride.
Alptraum nnfs as that triggers things out of the blue and makes him arch, tremble, fountain. Which means he ends up a lot more frenetic after to try and keep things going.
Luckily nothing catches fire.. not from friction but because the candles that were on the corners of the bed get shaken off and roll a bit before snuffing out. Cricket does laugh a lot from it, somewhat hysterically.
Alptraum continues on, until after two more, smaller fountains, he collapses ontop of her, wheezing.
Cricket seems energized though, despite deep breathing. "You like me more when you're young, I think," she says.
"I have more energy," Alptraum claims as he eases off and pants, then sits on the cot instead.
"It's not because I'm your teenage dream girl?" Chirik asks, sounding disappointed.
Alptraum hmms. "No sure I had one. I lusted after a khatta. Didn't know any Eeee girls," he admits.
"You never even imagined one?" Cricket asks, sounding shocked. "You must have seen plenty in your travels."
"I .. don't remember. Tend to just think about girls closer to home," Alptraum admits. "Sorry. I'm boring."
"I guess they just weren't interesting enough," Cricket says. "If you'd met me I bet it would have been different."
"Oh! Well, that's true," Alptraum agrees, and grins. "You'd have ignored me too!"
"A fancy flying acrobat hunk?" Cricket says. "When I'm from a nowhere town where nobody new ever comes around?"
Alptraum laughs. "I wasn't much of a hunk. Gangly," Alptraum admits, shrugs some. "But another Eeee that wasn't scared of me would be nice."
"Well, I don't think you're scary, but a grew up a Yodh from Babel with a sixteen-year life expectancy," Cricket says, leaning against Alptraum. "That's tall changed now, but I'm not scared of change like that. Will you be able to suss out the hidden curses on the others now?"
Alptraum nods. "I think so. But I have to have sex with them. Which will be a bit ... odd? Especially if it's another guy? I'm not quite sure how it will all work, just that I will be able to tell," he explains as he wraps an arm around Cricket. "But, it should prove useful, I think. Hope. There's always a drawback somewhere, though."