Always Ascending

[darlingng01]

Oric:

I look at Duran quizzically "But... there were barmaids, and blacksmiths, and cobblers and more in the town we visited. Obviously people CAN be things other than farmers and adventurers. While I dislike the presentation of the shrine, generally shrines are made by people, not by gods. You can't really blame her for people trying ot suck up to her."

[Ordos]

Naethra had been keeping track of the conversation, somewhat relieved that most of the party wasn't buying into Oric's line of thinking.

"I think there are a few key, critical differences here you're rather eager to overlook, Oric."  She said, softly. 

"Firstly, and of least significance I'll admit, many of those people were peasants, farmers, and laborers after their previous lives and professions were taken from them by force, like that one warrior who gave Duran his axe after he had his martial skill ripped out of him.  Secondly, they lived under frequent abuse by a gang of marauding, horny rape-monsters that systematically kept from building any degree of security.  Thirdly, said monsters were just one of many, many possible ways for them to cease existing as cognizant, independent, functional beings.  Others included packs of horny wolves and the very plants that surrounded them.  It's not so much that those people can't be things other than farmers, so much as they live in abuse and fear in a strange land where everything is trying to fuck them into oblivion."

She took a breath, "And finally, I'm less concerned about the ordering of that shrine than I am about how this all reeks of a pocket realm, a self-contained reality created and operated by our Gracious Hostess.  The absent gods leave us to pick up the pieces on our own.  Our Fulsome Matron is, demonstrably, more hands-on.  Everything we just saw?  Everything we fought through?  Everyone we lost?  All by her design.  This didn't happen by accident.  She plays with people's lives, and I sincerely doubt she has much reverence for her toys."

Naethra took a breath, trying to keep herself from getting worked up.  Again.  Latisha hadn't had a chance to speak, but a question was nagging at the back of Naethra's mind.  After a heart-beat's hesitation, she piled it onto the rest she'd asked the barista.

"Just... out of grim curiosity, how many have made it this far?" 

[Alice]

The girl let you argue morality between yourselves. But she goes to the back room and fetches a copy of her uniform, "This should fit you nicely Layla."

She looks at Naethra.. Her astoundingly cheery demeanor slips.. just a tiny bit.. "Not a plant anymore.. I can work with that.." She brings out a mechanical clock. "Just.. turn the hands back.. return to what you were." She eyes you with a piercing stare, "Just a few rotations and you'll have your horns and tail again.. If thats what you desire."
Her eyes penetrate Naethra, "Do you actually care about them? Or are you using them as a proxy for something else?" She looks around to all of you, "those crystals.. put them in the tip jar.. I'll make sure they make it back.. That town can have a group of defenders again. If you are willing to give up their utility."
"In the last 50 years.. I don't know..I got to this beat very recently, but I know there are lots of others who have passed this way.. it's funny.. they say adventuring has a sort of momentum... that it's hard to stop once it's up to speed.. I wouldn't know."

She leaves the clock there in reach of Naethra.. as if daring her to do it. She sets another cup down next to red, "Why you?" She shrugs, "I can't know for sure, but if I had to guess.. potential."

She returns to Duran and Oric, "No short cuts to learning a transformed body." She smiles and drops a large cupcake loaded over with frosting in Duran's hands, "I can see it in your eyes, you embraced a sin.. and it felt good.. made you stronger.. able to defend your comrades better.." She runs a hand down the dragonborn's belly before walking back behind the counter.

[darlingng01]

Oric:

I scowl at Naethra "That's not something she did though. that's like blaming Seln for every fireball that gets cast. Sometimes mortals are shitty to one another. Wolves kill people, dryads drain life and eat your bones, that's just normal stuff. You act like all of this is so strange, but it's not. It's just the same pile of shit with a different coat of paint. You act like she's orchestrating some grand event. To me it seems more like she's watching us like a play. All of life is just a series of events, so what if someone's watching? You reek of someone sheltered from the cruel realities of the world, and upon getting your first taste shake your fist at the gods and demand the world be 'fair' and 'good'."

I decide to hold back my religious tirade about the grand history. Someone like HER would surely miss the wisdom of looking back on it.

I sigh with her comment about no quick way to learn a new body. My tail has been standing at attention, almost bristling as I fail to keep it from showing my annoyance "Potential? I would have gone with random chance. Why is anyone born wealthy? Or strong? Sick? Of one race or another? Why are some born in the godless month, without the protection of a deity? Why does one person get eaten by wolves while the other is spared? It's all chance."

I take off my pendent and put it in as instructed.

[Ryuforce]

Duran hears Oric's side but gives a sigh. "I dunno, it just.. still feels so wrong. I feel like they just lost options, and paths they now can't take because of what and where things ended up...It takes one mistake and things go wrong for you and those you want to help..." She muttered as she thought of one particular and crucial mistake she made when she first met the group. At least Naethra seems to understand where the dragonborn is coming from as she explains the point better then the paladin who never set foot off a temple possibly could. "This 'Lady' does sound like she's taking advantage of the sleeping gods to well.. play god herself..."

Still, there was at least one revelation to the dilemma that Duran brought up about the town. The very crystals they carried could be in turn be forfeited to give that village a better chance to survive. That alone could be a big deal. So eagerly Duran took the one she wore and placed it into the tip jar to help out the poor villagers. She ends up hoping that the rest of her friends are willing to give up their crystals as well. Oric did and even if that's all, Duran felt that would make a huge difference. As she kept looking just in case, something is placed in both her hands by the waitress. Frosted, large, tempting and sweet, already the dragonborn stares at it even as Lattisha explains it's purpose. Rubbing that dragon's belly teasingly as she mocked the hero.

She couldn't. She shouldn't. It became clear that this cupcake would have the same effects of the lemon bread on her. And why her body felt oddly better at that weight and she was tougher. Surely she didn't need it. The first time, falling for the sin was a mistake but here they were deliberately testing her with something that was already making her mouth water. Her heart started to race a bit as her mind was racing for the correct answer here. She's heard of such tests of temptation before, but never thought it would feel so hard. Duran wants to protect this team and this would easily help. But, at a price.

Regardless, as she stares at the very least it gets the dragonborn to shut up as her inner conflict causes her to mostly ignore the argument she technically started which is now between Oric and Naethra. At least for the moment. "I.. um.. but how do we know she's not?" She barely questions Oric in a half hearted mumble as she debates what to do with the cupcake. Put it down, eat it, both?

[Nihtgenga]

"can you help me with some clothing that might actually fit, and support properly? Acknowledging of course the Sisyphean futility of such resizing."

"Sissy-what?" Retiaria asked.

She hoped Naethra did choose to revert the changes. It had saddened her to see a fellow Tiefling hate who she was, and maybe there was a better way for Naethra to feel good about herself. Still, it was her choice. Retiaria decided she'd support the sorcerer no matter what she did. She did keep an eye on her though, stealthily watching her to see what she'd do.
Despite Lattisha's offer, her pendant remained securely around her neck.

"Ooh, thanks! Just keep 'em coming, these are delicious!" She handed over five silver pieces and got started on cup number three.

"Why you? I can't know for sure, but if I had to guess.. potential."

"Potential, huh? I like the sound of that."

"That's not something she did though. that's like blaming Seln for every fireball that gets cast. Sometimes mortals are shitty to one another. Wolves kill people, dryads drain life and eat your bones, that's just normal stuff. You act like all of this is so strange, but it's not. It's just the same pile of shit with a different coat of paint. You act like she's orchestrating some grand event. To me it seems more like she's watching us like a play. All of life is just a series of events, so what if someone's watching? You reek of someone sheltered from the cruel realities of the world, and upon getting your first taste shake your fist at the gods and demand the world be 'fair' and 'good'."

"Yeah, I'm gonna agree with Oric on this one. Shit happens, and the powerful fuck with everyone's life below them, for their own amusement. That's just how the world works, pocket thingy or no. Only difference is the Lady in charge here likes things sexier."

[Ordos]

Naethra stared at the clock.  She gently picked it up, getting it, feeling its wright in her hands.

A way to literally turn back the clock.  It seemed too good to be true.  That meant there was almost certainly a trap here.  But still...

"May... may I ask what, exactly, Will this do?  I've... learned some useful spells since then.  Would I lose those, too?"

There was a lot to process.  Being flesh and blood again would be such a tremendous relief... but being a tiefling again... If course that was the choice, the whole point of it, to test her convictions.

At least she didn't need to deliberate over the amulet.  Its true strength appeared to be wasted on her; the goblins were much more empowered than the single spell she seemed to perceive while wearing the thing.  Still cradling the clock in one hand, she tugged her amulet over her head.  It snagged on some leaves for a moment, but a final pull got it through, complete with a stem.  She tossed it towards the jar.

Oric was angry at her.  At least she still held onto that much of her old, ornery dwarf self.  And she misses the point entirely, which was also keeping in character.  She was having trouble following the debate with the weight in her hands, heavy with the enormity of the choice.

This clock could undo changes?  What about Duran?  What about Gwyn?  Would they even want to go back?  Was the clock somehow only coded to her... and then, why would their Fulsome Hostess only give her the option.

She looked up, into Latisha's piercing blue eyes.  She tried to keep her expression strong, impassive.  Her heart, or whatever she had, pounded in her chest.  Her finger was pressed against the hour hand.

[Alice]

She moves back behind the counter to return to Naethra. "The moonsilver chains on your heart were broken by your own will. I can't put them back on.. It would take a... mutual effort... to make that happen."

"You embraced the connection to nature wove it into yourself, but if you would prefer to go back to being fiend touched.. Simply turn the hand."

[Dichotomy]

I stare at Oric "That's simply, verifiably false. The analogy to fireballs only works if she's as uniformly hands-off as other powers, granting powers that people then misuse. This is not the case. Any entity that decides it was amusing you attempted to be male for an hour or two and intercedes upon reversion by groping you and..." I clear my throat and try again futilely to adjust my bust "Mocks you, has given up all claim to the impartial observer. Not to mention how I wound up female in the first place- take it from me, this sort of thing is my area of expertise, and this-" I gesture to myself "is not the result of some invocation of a-"

I'm pulled away from engaging with the conversation of my peers- they are my peers now, weather I much like it or not. Nothing against or about them you understand, it's my role that's changed, I'm adventuring like them now, and that makes these adventurers my peers... anyway, I'm pulled away from the discussion I started by this barista's... rudeness.

At first I think she's just ignored me wholesale as she retrieves a copy of her uniform from the back room for someone I don't know- who is Layla? But no, worse than that, she's only ignored my criticism, as though it had no merit, and has brought me this... skimpy thing in answer to my request, while calling me...

I sigh, with a determined effort I un-grit my teeth "My name" I say coolly, adopting a pedagogical tone such as I might use when trying to explain a complex concept to someone unfamiliar with the field of study in question "Is Lucius. Lucius Drake. Lou in informal settings, or among friends." I rub the bridge of my nose and take the offered uniform. Little as I desire such a thing scoffing at it is likely to lead to... consequences. "Is there somewhere I might change?"

[Alice]

"Back through that hall." She gestures to a hall way that was slightly concealed by the nature of the room, down it there are two doors one with a masculine figure, and one with a feminine one.

THe door with the masculine figure's handle is stuck.

Inside is a clean room where you can change. Also.. objects for... necessities. Inside the bundle of the uniform is a name badge that says, "Hello My name is" and the world "Layla" in your handwriting. There is also another blank one...Something around here does not want to take Lou for an answer.

[Ordos]

This was a trap.  She was sure of it.  There would be some hidden catch that wouldn't present itself until it was too late to do anything about it, and then she's have to deal with that, in too of being daemon-tainted.

But she missed her tail.

She began pushing the arm back, slowly, counting back the hours to their fight with the dryad-thing.  Now, more than ever, she was certain that that being hadn't been true fae.  Just another lust-twisted perversion of their Fulsome Hostess.  She was never any closer to grace.

It's be a lateral move, at the very worst.

She counted down the hours, eyes locked with Latisha, the hard metal of the clock biting against her soft finger-tip.  Something like this should hurt, after all.  She tried to keep the years from her eyes.  She thought she was mostly successful on that front.

[Alice]

The clock ticks backward as Naethra rolls the hands. The green of her skin gives way to her former tone.. Pain in her head as fresh horns grow out to replace the old ones.  The first pain she's felt in.... days...

Her tail snakes out and lashes behind her with the faint smell of sulpher before she feels her crystal focus throb a moment going from clear..to deep red with a throbbing glow light a flame contained within. The powers of nature and growth seem to fade drifting from your mind as you twist the clock backwards.. replaced with... something more benefiting your choice of form.

[Ryuforce]

Duran finally put the cupcake down. "I... can't." She muttered, shaking her head. "What good is a shield that can't protect on it's own after all?" It left a bit of a weight being lifted to refuse that tasty frosted cupcake. Or perhaps it was false pride for not giving in and taking an easy advantage presented to her. Regardless she looks over to Lattisha. "Yeah.. sorry gonna have to pass on the cupcake. Still..." She slipped out twenty silver and put it in the tip jar. Wanting to least show some kindness. That and she has no idea how hard or costly it was to make that cupcake she was given anyway. Can't let her walk away with out getting anything.

For now her eyes drift over to Naethra, curiously watching as her form started to change back to the tielfing body it was before.  Still, she hopes there's no catch that could put Naethra in danger.

[Nihtgenga]

Retiaria tried to look as inconspicuous as she could, slowly sipping her drink and watching Naethra as she pondered using the clock. She told herself to be accepting no matter what choice Naethra made, but still- she couldn't help but be excited.
When she picked it up and started turning the hand back, Retiaria quickly gulped down the last of her drink, put the cup on a nearby table and jumped to her feet, her attention no longer hidden as she stared at Naethra's shifting form. When it was done, she let out an excited squeal and ran over to give the once-again-tiefling a big hug. "Naethra, I'm so proud of you! You look great. I... I know you didn't like being a Tiefling, but there's nothing wrong with it, and nothing wrong with you. There never was. It's a big part of who you are, and if you lose it, well..." she sighed and shook her head, giving Naethra another squeeze. "I'm just glad you're back. If you ever want to talk about stuff, you know, tiefling to tiefling, you can come to me any time. Okay?"

[Ordos]

She winced as her horns reappeared, sweeping backwards, her second pair curling out from her black hair behind them.  It hurt.  Belatedly, she realized she hadn't actually felt pain in days, not since she entered this place...  Everything marred by their Fulsome Hostess was perversely pleasurable.  As a general rule, Naethra hated pain... but she was almost willing to make an exception here.

The other changes reversed themselves.  Her soft finger tips hardened, her black nails reforming, growing, until they extended beyond her finger tips as her old claws.  They were approaching the point where she'd need to file them when she was first dragged here.  She felt her teeth again, and would have smiled save for the pain turning the expression into a grimace.  Her figured had filled out when she was changed, and that too seemed to be reversed, her breasts and ass regaining their prior, slimmer dimensions.  Her tail sprung from the edge of her spine, regaining its full length, sinuously curved and scrunched within her borrowed trousers.

And then she felt the font of magic within her change.  Everything else she had expected, but that... that one truly heart.  Was anything left of her Lady's blessing?  There was a heat, an old chaos that smoldered and burned... and an undeniable kinship.

She set down the clock, tears staining her eyes.  With one clawed hand she ripped a hole in her trousers and helped her tail out through it.  She'd need to make some adjustments.  Though no longer a plant, she'd become willowy again.

"Thank you," she said to Latisha.  She trembled, slightly. 

A lateral move, she kept telling herself.  She wasn't sure if she believed it.