Home 26: Rooms to let, fifty cents

[Recaiden]

Already becoming more like a devil in appearance. Interesting. Are the horns cosmetic, or would they serve some purpose in the completely transformed mantis? It seems like it would havve a harder time using them than a terrestrial creature would.
Request, attempt to discover how. May fail, acceptable.

Explain, 'weird'?
Possibilities for study if your body is vacant for extended period.
But ... you are one of us, will not be in any danger.

[bc56]

Eurus Hive

Just, uh, don't change it or, uh, take it apart or something. Sekhmet doesn't know what the Hive might do. I guess I can try. She focuses her magic and tries to suffuse her mantis body with it. The weavers scanning her will note a marked increase in the rate of changes.

[Recaiden]

The princess, Sekhmet can tell, is delighted.
It will be intact.

The weavers try to show Sekhmet the changes, how the mantis is becoming more demonic in shape, fast enough to be seen.
But that's not the way it's meant to change. Could she imagine a different shape for it, and make it grow that way?

[bc56]

Eurus Hive

That's less than comforting. Hopefully they don't do anything Sekhmet wouldn't approve of, but didn't think of. Uh, I can try? What do you want me to think of? She doesn't really know what the mantises are supposed to be like. But she can maybe guess?

[Recaiden]

[Eurus Hive]

It's rather embarrassing, but the hive doesn't know what a transformed mantis is supposed to be like either.
No source of that knowledge made it into the Nexus. That they have mantises at all was a stroke of incredible luck.
Ideas flash in from a few different sources, Imagine, ummm, a pair of spikes along its back, the lower one larger. Imagine the stinger able to grab and hold.

Back in the main chamber, Sekhmet's empty body is thrown into the primal pool for extensive study. No taking her apart, no real changes. But maybe a few small additions? And of course plenty of samples.

[bc56]

Eurus Hive

Sekhmet does as bidden, imagining the grabbing stinger and the back spines, although she's not sure what purpose they serve. They start to appear, but not nearly as quickly as the fiendish transformations are progressing. Her skin is starting to turn a reddish shade, similar to that of her original body. Sekhmet turns to look at herself, blinking her numerous eyes in mild surprise at how quickly this is working.
But she is a powerful fiend. It should not be surprising.

[Recaiden]

Question, why fiends tend to resemble that look? Red skin, horns, devil tail...where did it all come from?
The weavers confirm that it's working.
They'll be interested to see if the mantis returns to normal once Sekhmet is gone.

[bc56]

Eurus Hive

Most don't. It's, uh, my mother's preference." The similarity between the fiendish essence of the marquesses and Sapphira no doubt contributes to that. Sekhmet continues submitting to the examination. By now the fiendish changes are slowing down as they near completion.

[Recaiden]

The marquess who had spoken the summoning chant flutters into the cavern. They're nearly done, after all.

Interesting.
Should seek out other half-fiends.
Possible, to change the appearance of your original body, as you change this one?

[bc56]

Eurus Hive

Uh, yes? Sekhmet's done it before, but hasn't been able to make it work again. There was something weird going on that one day with Rose that made it easier. And this seems easier too somehow. Maybe because it's so weird and abnormal.

[Recaiden]

Interesting. Promising for marquesses in varied environments.
Plan, when mantis body finishes adapting to fiendish essence, return to original body.
Confirm, no changes? Could have better wings, or taller, or more like original Sekhmet, or prettier face - to human, or proper jaws...
The princess suggests.
And clearly, they should consider looking into 'Rose' as well.

[bc56]

Eurus Hive

No, no changes! Sekhmet sends back hurriedly. She's been "improved" enough by her mother, she doesn't want anyone else messing around inside her body if she can help it. Of course, she's in no position to stop the Hive from making some tweaks. But if they do major changes, they'll likely anger Sekhmet.

[Murkus]

[Fettina's Place - Fight!]

Kirk wears that characteristic stony expression. She'll immediately recognize that she's truck a nerve. "Is that so? I suppose I'm just some trouble knocking on your door, then. You don't me kicking around."

[Fettina's Place - Fight!]

Fettina starts to carry on as she already was. "Well, let's be real here Kirky, you've always been trouble. Sexy trouble, but trouble just the same." She looks at him. Seems to realize she's gotten under his skin. Drops a little of the act as she flits closer, trying to touch one of his hands. "Okay, okay. Wanna know, for real, why we're getting married? No crap this time."

She gives him a smile, but Kirk better not hope he's getting off that easy. She's gonna be digging at why this bothered him so much.

[Gullara]

[Fettina's Place - Fight!]

The corner of Kirk's mouth twitches a little and he takes a moment to reply. "Fine. Go ahead."

[Recaiden]

The princess agrees that no changes, but thinks Sekhmet is being silly.
Does she not even want to undo her mother's "improvements"?

After a little more waiting, a worker carries Sekhmet's body back into this room, and the marquess confidently dismisses the possession.

[bc56]

Eurus Hive

Oh no, she didn't think of that! It's too late now. Sekhmet gasps as she jolts back to her original body. It feels good to have arms and legs again! She slowly stands up and looks over at the mantis. The fiendish changes to it are fading, but the other ones remain, the grabby tail and the spines. She walks over and gives it a scratch on the head. It did a good job being her vessel. She's not sure what that was like for it, but it probably wasn't pleasant.

[Recaiden]

Well, it's not like they can't make changes while she's in her body too. It would just be a lot less pleasant.

The weavers fuss over the mantis as it reverts - partially, towards its original form.
As for the mantis itself, it's quite confused as to how it was controlled so tightly, and as to what's happened to its tail, but glad to receive a scratch on the head. And you know, they're very easygoing creatures. I'm sure it will be fine.
The marquess gives a bow and then quickly flutters off out of the cavern.
Informative
Question, the fiendish attributes, your Sapphira's 'style', already leaving. But first body did not become more human without your presence. Why?

[bc56]

Eurus Hive

Uh... Sekhmet doesn't have a good answer to it. It's not like any of her studies mentioned things like that. Because it's mine? Really mine, not someone else's that I'm, uh, in?" She could maybe do some research on the subject, but she's not sure. She suspects it has something to do with the fact that it's the body she was born with, and perhaps those traits are more innate to it

[Recaiden]

Investigate, later at leisure.
Summoning experiments complete.
Sekhmet's expert assistance is appreciated.

The results will have important implications for what marquesses can do for the hive. They'll need to make changes to the garden...

[bc56]

Eurus Hive

Sekhmet leaves, a little unsure of what should happen next. She's not quite as steady on her feet as she was, spending an hour without any has made walking a little awkward.

[Murkus]

[Fettina's Place - Fight!]

The corner of Kirk's mouth twitches a little and he takes a moment to reply. "Fine. Go ahead."

[Fettina's Place - Fight!]

"Kirk, baby, I'm an angel of chastity," Fettina tells him. "If that isn't the most ironic goddamn thing you'll hear in your whole long life, I'd love to hear what is. Me and Cantie were talking about it, so she looked into it some."

Tina spreads her hands to either side. "As it turns out, if I marry somebody I should be able to, y'know," she wags her eyebrows and clicks her tongue against her teeth.

"Which brings me to my next question," Tina says as she tries to take one of his hands in her cold ones. "Wanna get hitched, Kirky baby?"

[Ashen Lilies]

[Cass' Tower - Pondside]

Electra doesn't say anything for a moment, but then pulls Cass into a fierce, tight hug.

"Sometimes words just aren't enough," she says quietly, into Cass's ear. "Sometimes, a hug or a kiss isn't, either. You make me happy in ways I can't describe, and I....I just want you to know that."

[Cass' Tower - Pondside]

"I... don't know what to say," whispers Cass, squeezing Electra tightly. "I'm glad I can be here... be that, for you."

[Gullara]

[Fettina's Place - Fight!]

Kirk's expression shifts entirely. His mouth opens slightly, his brow furrows. He just stands there a moment, unable to muster a reply. For the first time Fettina may have left him utterly and completely dumbfounded. "What?" Nope, he hasn't recovered just yet. He blinks a few times. "You want to marry me?"

[Murkus]

[Fettina's Place - Fight!]

"Yeah, you got the gist of it," she says. "What do you say, hubby? Come on, you gotta at least gimme a yes or a no. Can't leave me hangin'. It's embarrassing."

[Gullara]

[Fettina's Place - Fight!]

Kirk shakes his head a little bit, as if to clear his mind. He takes just a moment longer to collect himself. "If that workaround actually works, I'd do a lot to be able to touch you again." The drow moves towards her and steps in close. "But is that-" He puts his good hand on her arm and rests the other on her waist. He searches her eyes. "-the only reason?"

[Rebonack]

[Isaac's Room]

Melissa flashes her Mrs Peacock card at Isaac and sticks out her tongue.

Thwarted!

"Yeah but I had one of them so it must not be at least one of those three," she explains to her brother's GIRLFRIEND! "Now you roll the dice and go to the room and make an accusation."

A brief pause.

"You should yell your accusation it's more fun that way," Melissa insists.

At least she thinks it's more fun.

Maybe Isaac doesn't?

But he's a lame elephantfatbutt.

[Deathkeeper]

Isaac's Room

Isaac's elephant butt is not fat!
Okay maybe he's gained a little weight since his life calmed down a bit but that's kind of just the natural loxodon shape.
He rolls again.
"It really doesn't matter either way." He doesn't want to pressure Iknika into doing stuff.
"So uh, kitchen, Mrs. White, knife?" he asks, looking around.

[Murkus]

[Fettina's Place - Fight!]

Kirk shakes his head a little bit, as if to clear his mind. He takes just a moment longer to collect himself. "If that workaround actually works, I'd do a lot to be able to touch you again." The drow moves towards her and steps in close. "But is that-" He puts his good hand on her arm and rests the other on her waist. He searches her eyes. "-the only reason?"

[Fettina's Place - Fight?]

"Kirky, baby," she says, almost poutily. Fettina tries not to meet his eyes now, but that's pretty telling in itself. Her hands land on his hips, a little awkwardly, and her wings fold close on her back. A flush the color of a hot forge climbs her neck. "Come on, don't make it like that... Don't look at me like that..."

[Gullara]

[Fettina's Place - Fight?]

"I'm not looking at you any different than I ever have." The drow takes her chin and tips her head up. "Yes, I'll marry you."

[Murkus]

[Fettina's Place - Fight?]

"Mmnnnope," says Tina. She shakes her head, pulls her hands off him, puts her face in them. She turns away with another flush. "Uh-uh. Now you made it weird. It's called off. I'm calling the whole thing off."