Alptraum finds himself in a building that is having a schizophrenic break. It's a tavern of sorts, filled with shadowy figures. It's a burnt-out ruin full of skeletons. It's also a run-down den of thieves that seems to be on fire. They're all overlayed atop one another at the same time.
"Ugh, okay, this is going to give me a headache," the bat admits as he tries to look at this mess. "Right, so I should be looking for two people with red caps."
Focusing on that helps. The superimposed images begin to collapse into just one: the burning den of thieves. There are a lot of spirits here, along with bodies, but a surprising number of them seem to be embedded in the burning walls. Two very similar looking ones are tied into chairs near the middle of the room. Their caps might be red, but they're on fire so it's hard to tell. But they are definitely caps.
Alptraum winces. He kept hoping they survived. But ... this looks like it was not to be. He approaches those bound figures and tries to use gusts from his wings to put them out. Is it even possible? He has no idea.
The flames turn from red to silver under Alptraum's influence. The Skreeks wearing them look up at him as well. They don't look burnt.. at least, their spirits don't. Maybe they died before the fire broke out, but to linger generally means traumatic deaths. "Hey, you're pretty tall, even for an Eeee," the one on the left notes. "What brings you to our little pit of hell? Hopefully you're just passing through," the one on the right says. They both smile warmly.
"Are you the Redcap twins?" Alptraum asks as he looks about. "What happened here?"
"Why yes, how odd that you know about us!" the left one says. "Oh this mess?" the one the right asks, looking around. "Well, that depends. Are we in trouble if it's our fault?"
The ones in the walls begin cursing the twins as loudly as they can, for those that can speak.
"Not really. More likely it will make your friends sad to confirm you did die," Alptraum admits.
"Hey that's right, we had friends!" lefty says cheerfully. "But Wojack died. We saw him die. It wasn't a hallucination!" righty claims. "No, they're both fine!" lefty insists. "The mushroom made us see things. Bad things."
"I'm sorry, but Wojack and Zintiel did die. I saved their souls so they could be laid to rest. They were asking about you, if you had survived. Wojack didn't think you would have. I promised I would look, and here I am," Alptraum admits. "I'm the Barsunala, sort of a Babelite reaper, give or take. My name is Alptraum."
"I didn't know we had souls," lefty says, suddenly somber at the news. "We're dead then too?"
"Hah, it'll take more than death to keep us down, aye Finn?" the one on the right says. He must be Zach then.
"Yeah, sorry," Alptraum admits. "You're living in the last moments of your life, over and over. You actually died ten years ago."
"We've been dead for half as long as we'd been alive?" Finn asks, looking a bit incredulous.
"I'm pretty you're dead forever," Zach points out. "Unless... reincarnation?" he asks, looking at Alptraum.
"I guess so. Time is weird in places like this," Alptraum says as he moves closer and tries to see if he can free them from their chairs. "And as for that, it depends. There is an afterlife where you rest. You might be able to negotiate being reborn there, but ... I can only guide to the door, not on the other side."
The ropes turn to ash when Alptraum touches them. "But would be an Eeee afterlife?" Finn asks. "Gods, Zin and Wojo must hate us."
"No, they don't. They're just worried about you. I can take you to them," Alptraum says, "And what's wrong with an Eeee afterlife?"
"Well, would we be the only Skreeks?" Zach asks, standing and dusting off the ashes from his fancy (or just well-made) clothing. The burning cap remains in place, still burning with a silver flame.
Alptraum tries to put the hat out. "What happened here?" he asks again. "You still haven't said."
"As long as there isn't fire," Finn says, stretching. He then looks to the ghosts of the Fingers gang, embedded in the walls. "Oh, well... I think there was an explosion."
"A magic explosion," Zach claims. "From our pants."
"You suggested it was your fault," Alptraum notes. "Why did your pants explode?"
"We had stuff in them," Finn explains. "Stuff we found, like the mushrooms. Radishes and such. They looked tasty."
"But apparently explosive? Where did you find them? What caused it to explode?" Alptraum asks.
"They reacted when the gang was using the mushrooms, I think," Zach says. "There lightning bolts that connected everyone. We found them in the garden on the College Esoterica campus. At least I think it was a garden."
"It was more of a dump for leftover magic I think," Finn says.
"I think it was more likely a failed experiment," Alptraum points out and looks around a bit at the people stuck in the walls. "I hope it wasn't too painful or slow for you."
"Not particularly," Zach says, rubbing his chin. "That might have been because of the mushrooms though." He looks at the rats in the walls, and asks, "What about them? I guess there was spirit magic in the stuff too."
"I don't care if they keep burning forever," Finn says, and spits off to the side.
"They killed Zintiel too?" Zach asks Alptraum, as if for confirmation.
"Yes. I'm sorry," Alptraum says in answer to the question about Zintiel. "I'm not here to free the ones in the wall, they'll remain here to burn forever in my opinion."
"So the only reason we aren't is because they asked about us?" Finn asks. "They were great people," he says with a melancholy smile. "Did our families ever know how we died?"
"That I don't know. Probably knew you disappeared, and eventually assumed you died I expect," Alptraum admits, sighs. "I can take you to Wojack and Zintiel now if you like? This place gives me the creeps."
"Sure.. just.. one thing first," Finn says, then runs to the wall and kicks one of the Fingers who just happens to have his genitals exposed through the wall, even though they're already on fire.
That makes Alptraum sort of snort-laugh. "I imagine that was a little satisfying. Why were they holding you two as prisoners?" he asks.
"They wanted us to get them more stuff," Finn explains. "I think. Or ransom us? I don't know if they ever said why, or how they found us in the first place."
"They were specifically looking for you? It wasn't an opportunistic thing?" Alptraum asks
Zach is studying the faces of the embedded figures. "There are some missing," he claims. "The ones that didn't come back with us."
"Is that important?" Alptraum asks.
Finn shrugs. "Maybe they followed us? Or we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.. or were too loud.."
"Many a tragedy comes from an unfortunate mix of events," Alptraum admits, "And I imagine in the end it doesn't matter so much."
"The missing ones.. they're the ones that probably stayed behind to kill Zintiel," Zach says, the flame of his cap growing brighter.
"That's also possible," Alptraum admits. "I really couldn't tell you."
"Can we haunt people?" Zach suddenly asks Alptraum.
"Eeeeh, no. I can't really allow that. You'd have to discuss that with the undertaker," Alptraum says.
"But those guys might still be alive!" Zach says angrily. "They should be burning! Or worse! It's like murdering a child!"
"I suggest you ask Zintiel what she would want," Alptraum offers.
"He has a short temper," Finn apologizes for his brother. "I can tell you exactly where the garden is.. uh.. ten years you said? I mean, it's probably still there."
"I'm not sure I need to know where the garden is. Why? Did you want to go there?" Alptraum asks.
"Well, it might still be dangerous," Finn says. "There should be warning signs."
"There probably are by now," Alptraum says. "Did you want to try to go there, or go to your friends?"
"Let's go see Wojo and Zin," Zach says. "And our parents. Juju is probably all grown up now."
"I'm not sure I can take you to your parents," Alptraum admits, "But maybe." He extends his hands to the pair. "Walk with me and be at ease," he says formally.
The brother first hold hands with eachother before taking Alptraum's, as if worried they'd get separated.
Alptraum's hands close and he walks them towards the burning exit. "I am sorry this is how your life ended," he admits, "The universe is not a place where fair exists."
"We had it pretty good for rats," Finn claims. "Good friends, good family, a little sister and a family business."
"Yeah, can't really complain," Zach agrees.
"It was too short, though," Alptraum says as he starts through the doorway.
They step through in the crystal cavern. And Wojack and Zintiel rush over to them. "You found them!" Zintiel says, and gives Alptraum a hug. The two Skreeks are both dumbstruck when Zintiel speaks, which is a bit ironic.
Alptraum oofs, and hugs the girl back. "I did. I was hoping they had lived, but ... they suffered a similar fate as you I'm afraid. But at least many of those that harmed you died with them," he says.
"Wojo," Finn says, and hugs his friend. "For the longest time I couldn't accept that I saw them kill you. I thought it was a bad dream."
"Well, time to wake up from those bad dreams now," Wojack says, patting Finn on the back. "Plus, we're surrounded by naked girls. Bunnies!"
"I wish all of this was all a ... and there we go, a true guy," Alptraum says and sighs. "You could have better manners in front of Zintiel."
Zach hugs Zintiel next. "Zin.. I always wondered what your voice would sound like. Do you remember the faces the rats that.. hurt you?"
"No, I don't remember them," Zintiel tells her friend.
"Remember what I said about not haunting people," Alptraum remarks.
"What about just.. killing them?" Finn asks. "It's been ten years though. Gang members don't live very long."
"While I have brought vengeance on others before, this place is a bit outside of my normal purview," Alptraum says. "I don't know if I could."
After Midnight talks to Hulda, the undertaker perks up. "Oh, he found them?"
"Whoa, I know her!" Finn says, pointing to Hulga.
"You do?" Alptraum says, surprised.
"Yeah, she was a bit younger than us, but sold charms and stuff in Little Babel," Finn explains, the looks a bit.. embarrassed? "So, it's a bit weird seeing someone you knew naked." Apparently Wojak and Zintiel don't count.
"Apparently they know Hulga, sold charms in little Babel," Alptraum says to Midnight in order to relay.
Hulga blinks at this news, and freezes for a moment, then asks Midnight. "So.. were they complimentary about me?"
"I ... guess?" Alptraum waffles.
"How come we've got clothes but nobody else does?" Zach notices. "Is it just because we're Skreeks?"
"You died clothed," Alptraum offers.
Midnight asks Finn, "Do think Hulga is pretty?"
"Kinda old now, but.. y'know, Skreeks will do anything if you know what I mean. Gods, you're really hot though Miss Lapi."
Alptraum rubs his forehead. "What about me?" he asks.
"You can still get a rise out of the dead," is what Midnight tells Hulga.
"Are you a woman?" Finn asks in surprise, and peers closer at Alptraum, who is cloaked (figuratively) in shadows. "That's right, Sunala is the Eeee Goddess of Death!"
"No, I'm not a woman, yeesh," Alptraum says, "But you said Skreeks would do anything."
"Maybe after a bit of wine," Finn concedes. "You'd make a cute girl though."
Alptraum laughs. "I suppose," Alptraum concedes. "Anyway ... Midnight, do please tell Hulga I found the two skreeks. Is there anyone else I should look for?"
"That should be all of them, I think?" Hulga says, uncertainly. "Four seems the right amount, from the auguries. And they're all connected to the same event, which is probably why. Now, for the Skreeks I'll have to notify the family and see what sort of arrangements they want. It's not like the Eeee, where I know what the process is."
"They want to visit their parents, but I am not sure if that is possible or not," Alptraum says. "It might depend on their attachment to their home, and if their parents were still there."
"I'm more familiar with corpses than ghosts, but we have a medium here, so something can probably be arranged," Hulga says. "Skreek burial practices are all over the place."
"She's not wrong," Zach says.
"So, I'm of no help in that situation, then," Alptraum says with a nod.
"Hopefully they'll have a priest or something I can work with," Hulga says. "I don't know how to hold onto their spirits in the meantime though."
"We've got special magic jars," Zintiel tells the twins.
"Nice!" Finn remarks.
"I should be able to put them into a reliquary. I've moved more than just Eeee," Alptraum says.
"Do you think any reliquary would do then?" Hulga asks. "It's you so it shouldn't matter, as long as there's some sympathetic connection." She starts rummaging through the crates that were brought.
"If we can't haunt, can we possess someone instead?" Finn asks Alptraum.
"What sort of things did you enjoy in life. Other than naked bunnies," Alptraum asks. "And I could put you in a bunny, but I'm not sure they would like that."
"I've always wanted to be in a bunny," Finn laughs. "But, you know, physically. We liked to come and listen to the bards and buskers when we weren't picking up beetles."
Alptraum looks at Midnight. "Any bunnies up for sharing?" he jokes.
"Yeah, we never got past a few dates with actual girls," Zach says.
"You do know we work for Hortense, right?" Midnight replies. "I'm pretty sure I can host, done it before. But it's fine for you to put them in, but how do we get them back out again?"
"Well, I can get them out. Or scare them with a khatta maybe. And dagh, I'd like to be one of Hortense' bunnies," Alptraum jokes.
"Hey, what about us?" Wojack asks. "Can we be in people too for a bit? It doesn't have to be bunnies though."
"Bunnies are what we have plenty of," Midnight says. "But they'd still have to work, so you might just be passengers."
"Bunnies is about all we have," Alptraum admits, then loosk to Midnight. "It's a bit irregular, not sure how Hulga would feel about it."
"Hulga, do you want to be possessed for a bit?" Midnight asks the undertaker. "What?" is the reply, as the Eeee has only been following the half of the conversation she can hear. "Does it itch?" she asks.
"Can cause chills," Midnight says.
"And spontaneous weirdness," Alptraum says, "And depending on the ghost, orgasms."
"And just what would the spirits want to do with a body?" Hulga asks.
Alptraum looks at the ghosts. "Well?" he asks.
"I want to have sex with Wojack," Zintiel says, causing the other ghosts to look shocked.
"I wouldn't know how," Wojack claims, all flustered.
"Everyone knows how," Alptraum says. "Or you could be the girl and Zintiel the boy. Or two girls."
"It's not like you can just rent bodies," Hulga says. Then pauses and admits, "Well, yes you can rent bodies, but not in the same way. I mean.." she looks at Alptraum's body, currently uninhabited.
"Hey, no using my body for something..." Alptraum says.
"But.. it's just laying there," Wojak notes. "Still, if we were gonna do that, would we still see eachother as ourselves, or as whatever bodies we're in?"
"Probably the bodies you inhabit," Alptraum admits, "Though I'm not sure."
"What do naked bunnies do for work anyway?" Finn asks Zach, who shrugs. "Dance?" he suggests.
"Everything," Alptraum answers.
"We do all sorts of things," Midnight says.
"Plus, this is The Morgue," the black bunny explains. "We've got clientele into some weird stuff, and being possessed is probably on the list. We can ask around."
"True. But I guess my body could be used if absolutely needed," Alptraum concedes.
"It's not like we could all go to Inala's Paradise together," Wojack says. "It's supposed be an afterlife where you get to have all sorts of fun like that before moving on to the Sea of Souls."
"Well, I might be able to get you in, maybe. She is my Aunt after all," Alptraum admits.
"Even us?" Zach asks. "We aren't Eeee!"
"Yes? There are more than just Eeee there," Alptraum says, "I should know."
"You've been there then?" Finn asks, stepping up closer to Alptraum. "What's it like?"
"Depends. The parts I've seen are very, ah, pastoral, white, silks, that sort of thing," Alptraum tries to explain.
"Like a farm?" Zintiel asks. "With cute animals?"
"Well, more like an orgy," Alptraum admits.
"What's that? Is it a type of fancy garden?" Zintiel asks.
"It's a bunch of people all having sex," Alptraum admits.
"I've seen some pretty fancy gardens," Zach boasts. Clearly a peak-over-the-wall sort.
"Well, do you want to try to go there or not?" Alptraum asks. To Midnight, he asks, "How long does Hulga need for researching the Skreek needs?"
"I may have to go back to the funeral parlor to look some things up," Hulga admits. "I wasn't prepared for Skreeks! It could be a while."
"Define a while?" Alptraum asks.
"An hour or two," Hulga clarifies. "I can't run around naked like the does do. And the references will be in the library, which was organized by a madman."
"Oh, well that's fine. I thought you might mean days," Alptraum admits. He looks back at the four. "Well, uh ..."
They're all looking back at Alptraum expectantly, two of them with their heads on fire.
Once more he's not quite sure how he'd get there. Alptraum hmms, "Well, all of you hold hands, then mine, then I'll see if I can get ahold of my Aunt."
The Skreeks and Eeee from a circle with Alptraum, all holding hands.
Well, not quite knowing what will even work, Alptraum just breathes. He also closes his eyes. "/Inala,/" he thinks, "/A small boon. I have four that wish to visit your realm for a short time, before they pass on to their rest. Two Eeee, two Skreeks."
Alpraum feels two arms slide over his shoulders and rest on his chest, as Inala purrs into his ear, "You never bring your friends to visit, but of course you can. Because you love me, don't you?"
"Of course I do," Alptraum thinks and leans back. "Did I not beg of you to make my female form more in your beautiful image and shape?"
"And you do this even though you are currently on your mother's task?" Inala asks, a bit playfully. She also bites his ear.
"Well, this helps her as it gives a place for them to relax while the Undertaker finds out the necessary details to properly inter skreeks," Alptraum thinks, and shivers a lot at that bite. "Not to mention I get some time to enjoy carnal pleasures too."
"Oh, you do, do you?" Inala teases. "In that case, be welcome to my garden." And then the five of them are there, in Inala's garden. The flowers smell pleasant, the breeze carries hints of music and the fountains flow with wine. There are the gauze-curtained gazebos, and plenty of others moving around - all of them Alptraum's children!
"It is a garden!" Zintiel says enthusiastically, and then notes, "I feel a lot more real now."
Wojack boldly feels Zintiel. "Yeah, you do!" The pair share a giggle fit.
Alptraum ends up blinking, a lot, and he checks himself. Or is it herself? The bat is rather fluid these days.
He's still a he, for now - Sunala still has that much sway over him at the moment. But his spirit children are surrounding them now and fawning over the new arrivals. Who are charmed right back, since everyone here is beautiful.
Alptraum laughs lightly and looks around for Inala. Mostly, behind himself because you never know. "Well, I do hope all of you enjoy yourselves. Explore, experiment. Try everything," he encourages.
They youngsters are being drawn off now, but of course Zintiel and Wojack stay together, even if they're being led by Skeeks. A fragrance on the breeze makes Alptraum think of Inala's scent, so that must be the path to follow.
And thus, Alptraum sniffs the air, and tries to follow that scent. Dangerous as it may be. Dalliances with the Goddesses are always with risk.
It leads him through the garden, onto a path he doesn't recognize. It's actually going up a hill, and turns into a stairway. He can see a full-on pavilion at the summit.
Is this something like a Mount Inala stand-in? Onward he goes, wary but onward. That scent is of course making him 'itch' in specific ways. "Hello?" he calls out.
"I'm waiting," Inala sings out, letting Alptraum know he's on the right track. Of course there are even more layers of gauze curtains to get through in such a large structure. It's a bit like the actual Temple in places, or what it probably must have been like before its ruin.
The urge is to hurry, but he doesn't. It would seem uncouth to hurry, and if he damaged those curtains, egad. So, onward he goes, trying to work his way into that pavillion.
At least they don't get tangled on his erection! It's still glowing even. Once he gets through the final veil, there is Inala in a large bath, with a tea service next to it. Sunala is also in the bath. That's when Alptraum remembers that they have a relationship in the Lore, despite seeming to be at opposing ends of the life-death spectrum.
It probably doesn't help that Barada is the one serving the tea, either.
Alptraum stops. Swallows. And feels suddenly very, very, doomed. "Ah, hello," he squeaks out. "Inala is hosting some lost souls while their Undertaker is ensuring she has the right rituals ready." Right now he suddenly just wants to die.
"It is good that you are taking care of them," Sunala says. "Any other reaper would have left them with the Undertaker to deal with. Would you like to join us in the pool for tea?" She sounds a bit warmer here, without that hollowness to her voice.
"Do you want some tea?" Barada asks as well.
"Yes, tea and the pool would be nice!" Alptraum squeaks as he walks stiff-legged and soon slowly sinks into the pool, dying of embarrassment.
Soon Barada hands him a cup of tea, and slips into the water next to him. "Are you looking forward to the end of these tasks of ours?" Inala asks him.
"Yes and no? They've been .. interesting, if difficult," Alptraum admits, and sips tea. It does distract him from the worse things that are going on. As in, dear Gods, how fat is Nicora getting?
"What difficulties have you encountered?" Sunala asks with concern. Meanwhile, Barada slips her hand into Alptraum's lap and starts stroking things.
"Well, with this last one, not knowing who to look for. It's been more of following a chain," Alptraum starts to say, then his ears shoot up! "Uh, what are you doing, Barada?" he squeaks.
"I haven't seen you in awhile," Barada says. "How is the tea?"
"The tea is pretty good!" Aptraum says. "Gorphat has been occupying me more as of late for her day celebration."
"Ah, yes, the Day of Gorphat," Sunala says. "There is not Day of Sunala. People generally don't need to be reminded of death."
"Nor I," Inala says. "We are facts of life."
"I don't get one either!" Barada complains. "Well, not one that's public."
"So is getting ill," Alptraum admits. "All of you are facts of life in some form or another."
Since Barada is a goddess, her touch feels amazing, if a bit odd. Or rather, it's making Alptraum feel odd.
Alptraum shifts around a bit and looks down now that he's feeling, well, odd.
He soon realizes he's shrinking a bit.. getting younger. Barada does like teen Alptraum after all.
"Hey, you're making me look like a child!" Alptraum complains a little.
"I'm making you more fun," Barada claims, as the teen hormones begin to fizz. How is that possible? Inala's presence, probably.
Which of course makes Alptraum twitch. "It is also making it hard to think," he complains.
"Let me do the thinking then," Barada says, and is suddenly straddling him. Yes, it is hard to think at that point.
And that makes Alptraum sit back and twitch! "Uhhhh .... sure," he sort of manages out as his eyes roll back.
At least they stay in his head, though at times he imagines them popping out. And this is just Barada, the eternally youngest of the pantheon. He wanted time with Inala!
Inala might kill him! And he's quickly realizing that if Barada can do this to him. He'll never be free of their curses! But deep down, does he really want to be? He likes being a randy girl. And part of himself likes Alptraum having priaprism too, as it reminds him of Gorphat. Argh! There are times he's almost wanted to thank her for it.
The Little Death hits him hard, but it's not like he can be pushed out of his own body again. Is it because of Sunala? He does feel like he's going to just dissolve though from the intensity. But Barada isn't Inala, so doesn't push things beyond the breaking point. She's soon cuddling against his chest after her own experience.
While he lays there looking glazed and stupid for a bit. "Bluh," he manages out.
"Oh dear," Inala says, and soon Alptraum finds his face pressed into her bosom. "You have to be careful, Barada."
Alptraum mph! And soon in spite of himself, Alptraum finds himself seeking out, and latching onto one of Inala's nipples, and nurses.
This feels good, and brings him back to fully adult form, but is also an intoxicating mix. Inala's milk spreads through him, bringing him to a full-body sort of plateau of comfort and arousal. "Drink, drink, drink," Inala chants to him.
And drink he does. He knows exactly how nice it is to be nursed on. One of the best things about having breasts, that. So he's nursing and kneading.
If anything should make him feel like a child, it's this. But he still remains an adult. It's not calming his arousal at all though: he really wants Inala now.
And soon Alptraum is trying to pull Inala into his lap, or just flat out jump her like some feral lust creature, and bury his, er, bone.
Inala seems fine with either, but seems to encourage the feral option from how she wraps her legs around him.
And it gets pretty feral, given the amount of growling and pushing he's soon doing, as if trying to push his hips into her body in the process.
Inala laughs at Alptraum's attempt to ravish her, and she allows it. She takes his passion into her, and returns it a thousand-fold as only she can.
That encourages something else, biting. As in Alptraum bites on her. Of course he'll not remember any of this because the overwhelming reaction basically shuts off the main brain, so to speak.
But there's the smell, and the tastes of her blood. Divine blood! It burns his tongue and throat and belly but he can't stop. Maybe he will remember this time. All of the Little Deaths from earlier were nothing compared to this, of course. The Lore talks of heroes who bed Inala, but not that they ever survived the encounter.
Well, if it's the end, it's surely an interesting way to go. How many climaxes he has is ... well, he doesn't know. One? Hundreds? None? Who knows. He's survived past experiences, of course, but there's always risk.
He's never done this in the presence of Death before, after all. And he's just a spirit right now, so it's not like can die. And with Inala, it always blurs into a smear of light burning away any concept of time anyway.
At least Gorphat isn't here. Having Mom here is more than enough embarrassment and awkward feelings. So on it goes in this weird blurred place until Inala deems to let him go.
Eventually Inala just does just that. Alptraum only realizes it when he finds himself sitting in the water again, with a drink in his hand and his ears ringing. Inala and Sunala sit across from him, the former's expression sly and the lather's blank. The all-white eyes probably add to that impression. And then Sunala sips her drink through a straw until it makes a rattling noise, and Barada hurries to refill it.
"Bluh," Alptraum finally manages out. "Well, not that I've thoroughly embarrassed myself, you would probably prefer I leave."
"I hardly ever get to see you, Alptraum," Sunala says.
"And seeing that didn't bother you?" Alptraum has to ask.
"You belong to all of us," Sunala notes. "Each of us a different path for the dead to follow. But ultimately, it all comes back to me. Even you. Especially you. But I depend on Inala to ensure your reincarnation."
"Rinala's split between us, after all," Inala adds.
"Though this current me will exist for a very long time," Alptraum points out. The shadow extension and all that. "I do hope you have been well, Mother?" he asks.
"Well?" Sunala asks. "I'm me. I don't suffer the vicissitudes of faith like my Sisters. How I'm seen does not affect my function in any way. The question would better asked of my avatar."
Alptraum winces a bit at that. "Angry, then," he comments.
"Death should not be angry," Sunala points out.
"But you seem it," Alptraum notes rather honestly. "That I do not visit often, and I don't look after your avatar enough based on that reply."
"I am not angry, merely... longing," Sunala says. "Alone, save for times like this. For me, the dead are poor company. Those that need me the most are not always grateful, after all."
"No one wants their time to end, it's true. Well, almost no one," Alptraum agrees, nods. "Not many are happy to see me in my official capacity, either. What helps, though, is going beyond just the job, and lending an ear. Simply listening to whatever they want to tell you. I find it helps. As for longing, if you wish of me you can always send for me. I was not sure you actually welcomed my presence."
"I may just do that," Sulana says. "There are times and places where I could use your aid, in fact."
Alptraum sits up a bit. "Oh? What are those?" he inquires.
"Battlefields," Sunala says. "Not every soldier took the Rites before going off to die. And there those that are only peripherally under my purview. You seem very good at dealing without those."
"I'm good at dealing with people. I grew up as one, after all," Alptraum claims. "I'm good at finding the lost and helping them find their way."
"Even among the living?" Sunala asks, leaning forward a bit.
"Can be. I grew up with people who were the lost," Alptraum says, "Very literally. Why?"
"Many of lost don't know that they're lost," Sunala says. "It may not be obvious to even those close to them. I wish for you to visit with Srinala and Pouncer, and listen to them. I also wish for you to find someone for me."
"What sort of someone?" Alptraum asks, one ear canting slightly to the side.
Sunala pauses, then says it again with a different emphasis. "Someone for me."
"For you in what way? Actual companionship?" Alptraum inquires.
"A lover," Sunala says. "Not someone from within the family. A mortal that wants to be with me, though it means their end."
"Or failing that, another god," Sunala compromises.
"That would be difficult," Alptraum admits. "I was initially thinking of some immortals I may have access to. I'll try, but it will not be easy. Does gender matter?"
"No, I suppose it does not," Sunala says. "I am flexible."
Alptraum nods at this. "I'll see what I can do," Alptraum says. "It could not be me as that would be ... disturbing."
"It hasn't been in the past," Sunala says. "Do you want to be with me, Alptraum?"
"I've not ... thought about it," Alptraum admits.
"I apologize for putting the thought in your head then," Sunala says. "You were not raised in Babel, after all, and came to your calling relatively late in life."
"I mean, if you wish for such things, I could ... try?" Alptraum offers. His family tree is already messed up, as it were.
"I am happy to play the role of mother, something that I have not done for..." Sunala says but has to trail off. "It is not in the Lore. You are my son, but it is unknown of that is meant to be taken literally. You are the Reaper."
Alptraum is ... well, a bit confused. But, it's Babel? He eases out of where he's sitting and goes over closer to Sunala. There, he sits beside her and pulls her gently into his lap, and rests his chin on her shoulder.
So Sunala reaches up to press her hand to the side of his head, and sticks a finger into his ear. "Have I been a good mother?" she asks him.
Alptraum grrks! "I'm not sure how to answer that," he admits as his ear flickflicflicks like mad. "You have protected me, and cared, I think, in your own way."
"From a distance," Sunala admits. "But I am very proud of you. You've overcome every obstacle, pulled people back from the shores of the Sea of Souls and guided others to them. But you've also served Vengeance.. or Justice. And also Power, and Sickness and Madness. Even Secrets and Revelation."
"I try to serve all our people. To help them out of the darkness they were all drawn into," Alptraum admits. "Not always well, but I have tried. And I have tried to make all of you welcome in my life and share in it."
"You've been really good about that," Barada whispers from right behind Alptraum. And he can almost feel a clammy hand on his shoulder as well.
He knows that clammy hand well, and in spite of himself, he feels a longing for Her for a moment. "I only hope it has been enough to help all of you have a place in the new Babel as well," Alptraum claims as he nuzzles against Suanla's neck softly.
"Well.. most of us," Inala says. There haven't been any new Yodhinala after all. "But I have other plans."
"I've offered to help you," Alptraum notes to Inala. "And have in some ways."
"Oh, you have helped," Inala says. "The surviving daughters of Mave will bear a new generation of Yodhinala."
Alptraum nods slowly. "Then I suppose I've done all I can," he admits.
"And you've given me so many... well, I won't say pets," Inala says. "Children. Yes, children."
Alptraum smirks. "Pet children," he suggests. "I assume they have been well and happy?"
"Better now that you've brought them playmates," Inala claims, grinning. "I think I have a claim on them, don't you think?"
Sunala hmms. "Only one of them can be said to have been challenged by Gorphat, but she bore it well," she says. "You'll have to talk to her about that."
"The lost souls? No. They should be allowed to go to their rest, or wherever they wish to go," Alptraum answers. "To where their beliefs would guide."
"There, the Barsunala has the final word on such things," Sunala tells Inala.
"Not even the rats?" Inala pleads. "They dress so cuuuuute!"
"I feel snubbed," Barada pouts.
"Snubbed?" Alptraum has to ask. "You would have to ask them. What happens to them now is their choice. They deserve that much."
"Nobody ever brings me friends," Barada claims. "Everyone hates me!"
"I've done stuff with you a lot," Alptraum points out. "And you've even hung out with Hexen."
Inala pinches Barada's cheek, and says, "Not true, I adore you."
"Well, I want to do things with..." Barada says, and her eyes light up as she hops into the pool to look into Alptraum's eyes. "Srinala and Daughter-of-Shadows. Oh, I mean Pouncer, but that's a secret," she says, holding a finger to her lips. "They're my age!"
"Anyone who meets them certainly has to be able to keep secrets," Sunala says.
Alptraum looks up to Sunala. "Is that all right if they do? They are your most important, after all," he says. "I've been a bit nervous to take them beyond the mountain."
"Barada would be of help in that," Sunala says. "She can hide whatever needs to be hidden. My relationship with Srinala is fixed, but there is a degree of freedom with Barada."
"And you can take us out, Alptraum," Barada says. "To fun places!"
"Well, what do you consider fun?" Alptraum has to ask. "Babel's definitions of fun can be ... odd. I mean, I find my time with Gorphat fun, but I imagine most would not, for example."
"Dancing," Barada says. "Singing! Food! Rides! Puppet shows!"
"Well, there's one place in Cenesta plaza that has some of that. Paradise is probably a bit too mature for them," Alptraum says.
"And there'll be games?" Barada asks. Inala bridles slightly at that. Games were a big part of her Paradise.
"There are games there for children and the like," Alptraum says, then looks to Inala. "The adult games are in the club of one of your Daughters."
"I had an amusement park too you know," Inala says.
"I never got to go to it," Alptraum points out.
"Would you like to?" Inala asks, grinning her sly grin.
"At some point, yes," Alptraum says with his own grin. The question is would he go as a he, or the she modeled and 'improved' by Inala?
"I'll have to recreate it all then," Inala claims, throwing her arms up and laughing. "Just.. without the traps this time, I suppose."
"Traps usually put a damper on fun," Alptraum tends to agree. "But you don't have to do any effort on my part."
"If not for you, then who for?" Inala asks. "The children came to me in their dreams before, but that's all over now."
"You used traps on children?" Alptraum has to ask.
Inala waves her hand, "I wasn't really me, it was all part of the ritual you see. And the traps were there to keep people in the dream."
"Ahhhh, okay," Alptraum says, though not quite believing it. "Would that also be a place Pouncer and Srinala would be welcome?" he asks. "And Barada?"
"Of course!" Inala says. "Much better than Barada's dream paradise," she then claims.
Alptraum waits for Barada to complain.
Barada coughs. "I didn't make mine either," she protests. "They were all meant to be challenges, so the strongest dreamers reached the goal."
"Not mine," Sunala says.
"It was still a challenge though," Inala points out to Sunala.
"Y'know," Alptraum says, "All of that is in the past. New futures for all. Better relationships with the people. At least that was my hope. And I'm an idiot."
"We are better now," Inala claims. "No more being controlled by mages and the princess, just because she wanted to be a god."
"Just by a weirdo like me, through influence," Alptraum says. "Well, we control each other I suppose. Mutual trading of ourselves."
"Do you feel that I control you, Alptraum?" Inala asks. She looks way too innocent when she does so.
"You manipulate me," Alptraum points out, grinning. "But I let you."
"I know that I don't control you," Barada says.
"No, you don't per se," Alptraum agrees. "In truth, I enjoy interacting with all of you and the challenges it presents." He goes back to nuzzling into Sunala's neck.
"I present a challenge?" Sunala asks. "I suppose I do indirectly."
"I always worry I will disappoint you," Alptraum admits, "Given how, ah, weird I am."
"You continue to surprise me, in good ways," Sunala says. "Reforming Gorphat. Convincing my Yodh to take in the Yodhrinala. Getting the Yodhblakat to show charity."
"Gorphat is a challenge," Alptraum admits, "But I do enjoy working with her most of the time. The Yodhblakat are also difficult, but also a bit simple, so easy to 'guide'. It's just putting things in terms they can work with."
"And the Yodhsunala?" Sunala asks.
"They tend to be more ... individualistic. Some are easier to work with than others," Alptraum admits. "And believe some times I am too ... not serious, for my role in things. But they don't understand yet that in order to really work with others, I must be approachable. Being all stern and serious would make my job more difficult."
"They aren't not familiar with the passage from life to death," Sunala explains. "Only preventing death, or dealing with the outcome of death. Neither requires much... empathy. That is for you and I. They are mortals, and could not stand it for long if they empathized with those they serve."
"It is difficult, yes, and leads to ... dark moods sometimes. But I have all of you and others for such times for me," Alptraum admits, "So it allows me more chance for empathy as I have support."
"So we do ease your woes?" Inala asks. "We aren't entirely selfish."
"All of you do in your own ways, yes," Alptraum agrees. "And tolerate my whims and urges."
"What are these whims and urges?" Sunala asks. She's have the least amount of direct interaction with Alptraum after all, ironically.
"You know, the mortal urges. Spending time with Inala and Barada. Gorphat being an outlet for stress and the feelings of having done wrong," Alptraum explains, "That sort of thing."
"I see," Sunala says. "I'm vaguely aware of such, which is why I asked you to find me a lover. I don't feel physical urges, but I sometimes have spiritual needs."
"What do you feel you need?" Alptraum asks.
"To be sought out and desired," Sunala says. "It was not unheard of in the Lore. I am still a goddess, and as such beautiful beyond mortal ken. To lay with is the ultimate experience."
"I cannot claim to compete on that level," Inala claims. "I may provide the ultimate physical experience, not metaphysical."
"Well of course you are beautiful," Alptraum replies as if the idea of not is utterly absurd. "And anyone would be honored to share of themselves with you."
"It also allows me a glimpse of death," Sunala says. "The one thing denied to me."
"We've all died before," Barada notes. "And come back of course."
"And it is something I can offer you," Alptraum admits, even if the idea to him is weird.
"Only by dying," Sunala says. "But you mentioned immortals?"
"There are many within the world I hold. There is even also the dragon guardian, and my secretary," Alptraum points out. Though Kaira bedding Sunala would be bad for him. Very bad.
"And they crave time with Death?" Sunala asks. "Or are there better choices?"
"I have to ask. I do not know," Alptraum admits.
"Is that something the prisoners will listen to?" Sunala asks. "It is a place beyond any of our influence."
"I'll have to just go and find out," Alptraum says, "Around them you would be .... positively normal."
The other two goddesses look shocked at this.
"Alptraum? Are you there? Can you hear me?" comes the voice of Hulga.
"Yes, I can hear you fine. Why?" Alptraum thinks in reply.
"I've found the records for the Bookbinders and sent a message," Hulga says. "How are our lost souls holding up?"
"They are quite enjoying themselves and doing stuff they only dreamed of," Alptraum thinks.
"Still? It's been hours already," the mortician notes. "I've got my clothes back on and everything."
"They'll be disappointed," Alptraum thinks. "And time flows differently here." Or at least he thinks it does. He's not sure. "Inala, are the spirits worn out and sated now?" he asks her.
"Well, they haven't racked up a lifetime of fun, but they've moved on to playing games," Inala says. "Time with us moves a bit slower than it does for them, since you are still tied to the physical world."
"They're playing games right now. Do you want me to gather them, or let them be a bit longer?" Alptraum asks
"Well... can you ask them if they're ready?" Hulga asks. "I mean, do they still have regrets? Their families will be at the mortuary soon."
"Inala, can you ask them if they're ready soon? Their parents will be at the mortuary soon," Alptraum says.
"Already asked," Inala says. "They say they are ready. Reuniting with their families is all they have left to do."
"They are ready," Alptraum answers Hulga.
"So, do you need a little help getting back to... wherever it is you need to go to?" Inala asks.
"No, I can get back myself. I know the way," Alptraum says as he extracts himself from the pool and bows deeply.
"Don't forget to visit the girls," Sunala reminds Alptraum.
"Of course," Alptraum says and bows again. Then he's heading out of the place with the goddesses and trying to find his way back to the other area. Which ... involves listening for a lot of giggling or worse.
There are a lot of sounds. Creensong, mostly. But once he gets to the bottom of the 'hill' and into the garden, he can easily hear the others. They've all gathered in one spot, talking and laughing.
Alptraum heads towards that spot. "Well, it looks like it's time to go," he calls out to them.
"Well, it's been a year so I guess we're ready now," Wojack says. Hopefully he means a year of relative time.
Alptraum assumes relative time. He offers his hands to them. "Well, then let's go," he says. "Time to go home to your families."
"Hopefully they still remember us," Finn says, as they souls link up hands and then take Alptraum's.
"No one ever forgets their children," Alptraum claims. And with their hands in his, he heads back the way they came, and to the grotto.
It's weird, as the scenery warps and twists, elements of paradise being replaced by those of the crystal cavern. Mostly replaced by bunnies, of course. And then they're all back in the little patch that has all of Hulda's stuff in it. Along with the Eeee is Midnight, who is actually wearing a dress. A black dress, but still, it's the first time Alptraum has seen any of the does wearing anything at all.
"They're ll back," Midnight informs Hulda. "Oh! I thought I felt a bit of a chill," the Eeee admits.
"It seems unnatural to see one of the lapis in clothing," Alptraum admits as he releases his hands slowly. He also walks over and grabs Hulda's butt to see if that feels like a chill.
The Eeee jumps a bit and spins around, waving her hands through the air (and Alptraum). "Who did that!" she demands, while Midnight covers her muzzle to giggle.
Alptraum circles, and grabs her butt again.
"Alright, I know that's you, Alptraum," she declares after the second grope. "When you're done having fun at my expense, please return Wojak and Zintiel to their srinala-jars."
Alptraum therefore sticks a finger in Hulda's ear next. And after, well, he's off to put those two back into their respective containers.
"Thank you for everything, Barsunala," Zintiel says as she goes into her jar. "Likewise! You're a really decent reaper," Wojack adds.
"I just wish I could have given you more time to actually live," Alptraum admits. His expression goes, well, a bit more stoic, or at least controlled, as e carefully collects each into his hands one at a time, and returns them to their rest.
"The surviving families will be at my office soon," Hulda notes. "I don't know if I can take the Skreeks without you anchoring them though, Alptraum."
"Probably not. He ponders a moment, then turns to Midnight. "So, in all your weird collection of costumes, would you happen to have two red hats?" he asks.
"We've got all kinds of hats," Midnight says. "Do they both need to be the same type of hat though?"
"What kind of hats did you like to wear?" he asks of the rats.
"Well, we have these caps," Zach says, holding out a sort of squashed looking thing. There's no brim to it, so probably a Gallisian style beret.
"Something like a Gallisian red beret," Alptraum tells Midnight, "and yeah, the same since they're twins."
The description is passed to one of the naked does hovering nearby, probably just in case something like this needs to handled. She's off in a dash through the tunnel.
"What's going on?" Hulda asks. "What's this about hats?"
"You wanted anchors," Alptraum says.
"You can anchor them to hats?" Hulda asks in surprise. "Does someone have to wear them then?"
"We'll find out. I'm just winging it by using items that described them in life," Alptraum says.
"I think I have some Skreek carnoran," Hulda says, meaning powdered blood. "That should help. And the last rites should release them. Or we can burn the hats and bury the ashes.." She starts digging through her supplies again.
"They burned to death, so .. not sure that would be a great way to release them," Alptraum admits.
"I have no idea where we're supposed to go from here," Finn says, wringing his hands a bit. "We go to the Procession of Souls," Zach claims, pointing upwards.
Alptraum nods. "That is one belief, yes. And in some cultures floating candles are used to guide the passed to it," he says. "Sylvania still uses that tradition."
"Floatin' in the sky forever doesn't sound so bad," Finn admits.
"It's more ... you go to your ancestors and such, Alptraum explains. "I only ask you go without anger; anger poisons rest."
The runner rabbit is soon back with some berets. One is a bit more orange than red, but that will probably help in differentiating the pair. Hulda is mixing up the carnoran and some water into a sort of blood paste. "Alright, I'll add the carnoran to the hats, and you should be able to bind them to that," Hulda says.
"Those close enough?" Alptraum asks the rats while Hulga works. "It's best if they resonate with you in some way."
"Well, after a decade of watching our killers burn in agony, I think we've put any anger behind us," Finn says. Zach adds, "Plus we've had way more fun now than we did while alive. And we had been alive for it, it would have probably killed us anyway!"
"Well, I guess they are?" Finn says, examining the hats. "We got them originally for our birthday, and never left the house without them. So pretty significant, I think."
"Then it's the best we can do," Alptraum says, nods. "I'm sorry life didn't go well for you. It ended far too soon. The universe is decidedly lacking in any sort of fairness or justice. It just is."
"Well, the ones who did this to us got what was coming to them," Zach says. "So justice of a sort. Just not anything to do with us, but still. So.. we just go into those spots of blood?"
Alptraum takes those hats, somehow. Which probably looks weird to anyone who can't see him. And thus, he approaches the two rats and places the hats on their heads. Well, holds it there, then pulls them down as if scooping them into said hats.
It looks weird even to Alptraum. It can't help but remind him of the Silvanian magicians who would pull Silvanian rabbits out their hats. Soon the hats are resting on the floor, having engulfed the Skreeks.
And Alptraum collects said hats, then takes them over to Hulda, and he puts them in her hands. Or rather, it probably looks like they float into her hands.
"That's not weird at all," the Eeee woman says, looking at the hats. "Nothing has ever just moved around like that at the mortuary." She then looks to Alptraum's body. "I suppose you can just go back into your body now."
Alptraum looks at his own body. He heads towards it. Not sure what to do he lies on it. Well, in it, probably.
Now, he came out of through his phallus. Hopefully he doesn't have to take that route back! But lying in it for awhile seems to work too. He starts to feel warm again, only then realizing he wasn't feeling warm or cold at all in spirit form. There are other sensations too. He seems to come fully awake again in his body, only to find a doe straddling and hugging him.
Alptraum mphs! "Er, hello?" he manages out as part of him feels very warm and ... wrapped.
"Oh, you're awake!" the doe says, and smiles. "The poison is supposed to have worn off, but can you move your arms and legs?"
Alptraum tries to move arms and legs a little.
Things are a bit stiff, but they do move. It doesn't even really hurt, just feels like they've fallen asleep, with plenty of pins and needles.
"Ugh," Alptraum mutters, "It's about as bad as the time I drank home-made booze." He keeps moving them slowly to try and get more feeling back.
This attracts more does, who begin to massage his muscles.
And surely not to just hold him down, or something. He's looking around for Hulda too. Have they left?
There's no sign of Hulda and Midnight. Or of the jars and hats. They must have taken them to the mortuary, to perform the last rites with their families.
"Well, I guess I'm done here too," Alptraum says. "How long was I out?"
"From start to finish?" the doe asks. "A few hours at least. It was hard not to play with you, but Midnight said not to."
"Are you sure you didn't? I'm not a pleasure toy, you know," Alptraum says.
"Not until they left, no," the doe claims. "I was just trying to keep you warm," she then says with a straight face.
"I don't believe you. "Having me in you is not necessary for warmth," Alptraum points out, arches his brow.
"Well, do you want me to stop keeping you warm them?" the doe asks, all big-eyes and wiggling nose.
"Well, since Mordecai isn't here, well ... no," Alptraum admits. Though he does wonder if he's stopped glowing down there.
"Do you want us to stop massaging?" one of the does working on his arms asks.
"Nooo," Alptraum says. Being here is nicer than being with Gorphat, where his real body is. God, it must be a mess by now.
"Do you want me to do this?" the doe on top asks, and starts to glide her hips back and forth.
Alptraum whiiines. He kind of does. His priaprism curse might be kicking back in if he's completed all his 'jobs' and has been 'released' to 'default'.
"Does that mean yes, or does it mean 'go faster'?" the doe asks, as she picks up the pace a bit.
"Maybe both," Alptraum whines as his hips start moving now too.
"Now, don't over-exert yourself," the does says, rising up a bit until she sitting upright... and starts to bounce up and down. This makes her breasts bounce as well, but the primary bouncing holds Alptraum's attention more.
Yep, priaprism is back, given how that feels! Ugh, Gorphat just won't let go! Still, this is making it feel better, so his hips try to move too, though they can't move much.
It's enough though. Soon the doe making all sorts of noises, some of them coming from her actual mouth. The other does are also rubbing against Alptraum's arms and legs, and one leans over his head to block his vision with her breasts. Full bunny coverage!
That means soon he's nursing. And on his lower end, releasing! Ugh! It feels good, intense, overwhelming, and trying all at once.
It seems all those hours just lying there made him a bit pent-up (or being in Paradise had affected things somehow). At least this time he stays in his body, no disturbing sense of following the stream and blasting out through the doe's head.
Small mercies! Though the sensation of the amount is rather disturbing. He's arching a bit, lifting up the doe some too.
It takes some time, but then he feels completely limp - in his spine. Everything that's not currently inside of a doe relaxes completely.
And thus Alptraum lays there, just breathing, and closes his eyes to relax some.
The sense of relaxation, and the weight of the does, make him feel like he's melting through the floor. This ends rather abruptly though, as finds himself falling and landing on a mattress. Not a particularly soft one though, just better than a floor.
"Wah!" goes Alptraum and his eyes go wide. Where is he now?!
A door opens, probably due to his yelp. A lantern illuminates the room: windowless with bare stone walls, almost like a cell. The face of the person entering is nearly as ascetic: Yodhsunala Megrasastis, High Priestess of Sunala. "How did you get in her?" she asks the naked Alptraum. He's still glowing a little.
"This is not a place I expected to be," Alptraum groans as he sits up. "I just got back from doing some tasks for Sunala, and two of her Sisters," he says as he starts to rub his lower back. "I assume this is Mount Sunala?"
"It's my bedroom on Mount Sunala, yes," Megrasastis points out. "That doesn't explain how you got here though."
"I don't know either. Though this isn't the real me. Just a projection of me," Alptraum claims. "I'll try to get out of here soon. But, can I borrow something to wear?"
"Wait here," the Yodhsunala says, and vanishes for a moment, taking the lantern with her. There must be a closet or wardrobe just outside, because she soon returns and tosses some Yodhsunala robes to him.
"Thank you," Alptraum says and pulls on the robe, tying it loosely. "What time is it?" he asks. "And please quit looking at me like you want to kill me."
"I look like this all the time," the Yodh claims. "It's near midnight." For Babel that may as well be noon, since most of the Eeee population is nocturnal. "Are you here to collect the soul of a Yodh then?"
"I shouldn't be," Alptraum says. "I know Sunala wanted me to visit the Avatar and her companion. Maybe that's why I'm here?"
"And where were you expecting to be then?" Megrasastis asks, looking at Alptraum in the too-small robes. "You certainly aren't going to visit the Avatar looking like that."
"I was expecting to return to my real body," Alptraum admits, shrugs. He looks down and does have to agree he looks ridiculous. He's not sure he can go back to being a she though. That's been made a lot harder as of late.
"And is that why you're glowing down there?" Megrasastis asks. "I don't think that's normal for men, but I could be wrong."
"No, it's not. That's from Sunala, a mark placed for a specific task I completed. It's rather embarrassing," Alptraum says, sighs, and tries to cover himself more. He breathes out slowly, and closes his eyes to see if he can shift to well, a she. That should deal with the glow and make clothing fit better. Also a bonus, the return of breasts.
It turns out to be less trying than relaxing. Relaxing something inside that felt tensed up. Not quite a muscle though, spiritually speaking, just something that seemed to locked in place. Once that's released, the change into a woman just happens on its own. And bonus: the glowing bits are now internal and not obvious. There was one point when he almost become Revy again, instead of Femtraum, but he managed to steer things correctly. A green-haired Yodhsunala would not have passed scrutiny.
Nor one that young. And egad, why does it feel better do be female now? Natural. That's probably due to Melusine having made the default form female before he left Sylvania. "There, I guess this is better," Femtraum says once it's over, and she's feeling herself again and approving of the curves and chest. She does contort a bit and confirm she's still glowing, just internally. Well, that's weird, but ... livable for now. "There, I look less out of place now," she says to the probably a little freaked out Yodh.
"Mnnnn," Megrasastis sighs. "I forget that the Barsunala is semi-divine from time to time," she admits. "Though you need a proper Yodhsunala name to go with that... form. I can't call you Yodhsunala Nightmare after all."
"I think I make quite a fetching woman," Alptraum comments and shows off a little with a spin. "As for a name, though, I don't know. Any suggestions?"
"We could just be lazy and go with Amara. Yoshsunala Amara," Alptraum remarks, shrugs.
"Amara it is then," Megrasastis says. "Do you wish to visit the Avatar now?"
"Will they be awake?" Amara asks. "Will I cause panic? Jealousy?"
"The Avatar may be awake, as this is the middle of the day," the Yodh answers. Well, middle of the day for Babel.
"And her companion?" Alptraum asks.
"I imagine they keep the same hours," Megrasastis says. "You will soon find out."
Amara adjusts her robe a bit here and there, then nods. "I suppose I will," she says, then pauses and has to ask. "Do you hate me?"
"Yodhsunala do not hate," Megrasastis claims. "I am a bit confused of course to find you naked in my bed."
"Okay, now that is not true. I've known several Yodhsunala that actively hated me," Amara says a bit flatly.
"Then they did so against their vows," the High Priestess claims. "We are to perform our duties without emotion. Imagine doing our duty while feeling empathy?"
"Although some of us can be a bit gruff," she admits.
"I don't have to imagine it. I do some of it too. I just spent several hours helping locate the souls of those what were killed and lost to bring them to proper rest," Amara notes. "You have one mercy I do not. I have to actually talk with the dead."
"We barely talk to the living," Megrasastis points out. "We expect the dead to behave and follow along with the rites."
"Here's a note from one who deals wit it often, they usually don't. And it sucks to have to admit to them life isn't fair. The worst is burying children," Amara comments. "Just .. I know you have hard stuff to deal with. I do too. And I'm family. I just wish I felt more accepted."
"Would you want me to hug you?" Megrasastis asks. "Or join you in bed? The thought had crossed my mind."
"I wouldn't mind either," Amara says, "Even in this form I can ... but I am here to visit the Avatar and her companion, by my Mother's wishes. I really should do that. They need company and a friendly face, too."
So Megrasastis actually steps forward and hugs 'Amara', and it's a genuine, almost motherly hug.
This actually surprises Amara, so she freezes up for a moment, then returns that hug. "The calling isn't easy for any of us," she murmurs. "Thank you."