MASKTOURN

Behind the Great Door is… a room, of some kind. Three out of its four walls are taken up only by large, open windows- the only one that is solid being that which the Great Door is on. Light filters into the room at all hours of the day, bringing with it salty ocean breezes. The room is grand and open, incredibly large, but entirely unadorned. The window frames and pillars sport no decoration, and the tile that adorns the floor is plain in cut and pattern. Almost the entire room is taken up by a great, low pool. It’s only a few feet deep, set inset to the tile floor. The water is clear, and clean, stingingly cold and unexpectedly briny. A very strange place, indeed.

Naiyta led Roman into the chamber, and set the flowers down at the side of the pool. The attendant remained by the door. Inside the pool sat Reagan, also completely naked. They were soaking wet and trembling- with fear or because of the cold, Roman wouldn't be able to tell. They didn't have their mask, and looked to Roman fearfully with one dark gray eye, and one gold one. Fresh bruises decorated their neck and jaw, as if someone had been choking them. "Ignore them." Naiyta gestured carelessly towards Reagan, whom the attendant was approaching. "I was just... finishing up with them. They'll be out soon." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman looked around the room as he entered. Well, he couldn't really ignore Reagan. He tried to keep facing Naiyta, but under his mask, his eyes were faced toward Reagan. ".. Why did you hurt them? Did they ask for something..?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant that had brought Roman in slowly approached Reagan in the water, coaxing them up. "I have to keep my assets... in line." Naiyta said simply. "They understood what consequences their actions would result in." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't want to be too quick to judge. His relationship with Roque wasn't very typical either. But that look that they had.. It didn't seem like this was part of the fun to them. He could fake fear and terror, but it didn't look like that. "Are they here willingly..?" Roman asked and fully directed his attention to Naiyta. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant helped Reagan up, but the motion seemed more like a puppeteer maneuvering a marionette than a person offering another comfort. Reagan kept trembling, but didn't take their eyes off Roman. Naiyta didn't spare a glance towards Reagan or the attendant. "That shouldn't be of concern to you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Well, it is." Roman put a hand on his hips. He turned away from Naiyta and instead faced Reagan fully. "Are you okay?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Reagan didn't answer. They stalled, and the attendant stopped with them, but they didn't- or couldn't- say anything. The room was silent for a long moment. Naiyta waited for Roman to speak again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Hello? Um- I know a little sign if that's better.." Roman attempted to ask his question again in sign, though it was sloppy and hard to understand, especially because he was missing a finger. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Reagan watched Roman sign- with no indication of if they actually understood it. They glanced towards Naiyta, who was facing away from them only slightly, and then back to Roman. They shook their head- a movement slight enough it could have been mistaken for the trembling that overtook their body. The attendant shepherded them out of Roman's field of view and towards the door. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well. That was weird. He'd have to talk to them again later, without Naiyta around.. ".. Alright. Where were we?" Roman asked and looked back at Naiyta. "Let me guess- you're gonna put me in there and try to drown me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not yet." Naiyta stepped down into the pool, not flinching at the cold water. "Undress yourself. I want to see all of you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, he didn't have too much to take off. He dropped his band jacket on the side, and untied the small amount of robe he wore. He left that bundled up on top of the jacket as well. Honestly, there had not been too much left to the imagination, so his entire body wasnt very surprising. He looked down at Naiyta in the water for a moment before stepping in after them. He flinched hard. His leg spasmed so badly that he entirely crumpled in to the water, and he wildly flung his arms everywhere as he tried to keep himself above the water. His feet could definitely had touched the bottom, but he was in too much shock to keep steady contact. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah-ah, we wouldn't want you to slip and fall." Naiyta said in a mocking tone, and helped steady Roman in the water. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman gripped on to Naiyta like a lifeline, not caring where his hands ended up. "Y-y-y-you didn't say it would be th-th-this cold." Roman said as his teeth clattered. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You didn't ask." Naiyta said simply, and used Roman's proximity to it to lean closer to him. "Now tell me. Of everything you've asked from me, what do you want the most?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, he had to choose. Maybe Naiyta would be kind, and give it to him first, or, more likely, they'd make the thing he wanted the most the hardest to get. ... Naiyta didn't seem very kind. "Th-those cigarettes, the.. the.. treasurer aluminum gold o-ones." Roman said after a few moments of silence. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Really?" Naiyta asked, almost disbelieving. "I wouldn't have expected that. Stand back." They briefly stepped away from Roman, and the floor between them rose into a small table, its surface just over the water. The attendant from before returned, without, now carrying a simple box. They set it on the table, and left without saying a word. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, Roman tried his best to keep his head above water as Naiyta moved away, to mixed success. As soon as the table has arose, Roman gripped on to it to keep himself stable. "A-are they- in the box?" Roman asked, hands too locked on to the table to reach for it. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No." Naiyta smiled, and opened the box. Because of the angle, Roman couldn't see what was in it til they started removing things- a tiny metal jar, a piece of flint, a small knife. "You haven't done anything for me but show up. I'm not giving you your prizes just for agreeing to participate." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, he was in this disgusting and cold water, didn't that count for something? He watched as Naiyta removed the items from the box, but he really couldn't put together what they were for. Something painful, probably, but what..? Somehow, the curiosity of it made him feel a little excited. Sure, Roque had a lot of intense things, but even she had run out of new content after a while. Especially since she did actually respect where his boundaries were.. "S-so what do you want me to do here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta set the box to the side and closed it, leaving about a square foot of clear space on the table. "Place your hands here," they indicated, then paused for a moment. "Palms down. We'll start with that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Start with that? Well, Roman uprooted his hands from the vice grip they had on the table, and placed them palms down on the center of the table. It took a tremendous amount of effort to get his fists to uncurl and spread his fingers out across the surface, but he managed to get his nine shivering fingers in to the proper position. He looked across the table at Naiyta expectantly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took the small knife into their hand, and steadied Roman's right wrist. They began carving deep but delicate incisions into the flesh of his hands. They seemed to at least be trying to avoid the veinier parts of his hands, but it'd still hurt. Every so often, Naiyta would take some of the liquid from the metal jar, and gently trace it along the patterned incisions it'd made along Roman's hand and forearm. Whatever it was, it was very warm, and stung a bit on the open wounds. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's hands were just as thin as the rest of him, so Naiyta's slicing hardly had to go through much flesh before skirting across tendon and bone. His left hand curled in to a fist again, trembling now from both pain and the cold. The right hand stayed surprisingly still despite what was happening to it, but oddly enough, blood was hardly coming up from the injuries. Occasionally a thick, black liquid would come up, but there was no extreme flow on to the table like what would be expected. He kept his teeth and eyes clenched shut and shook his head every once in a while, but he never made any sounds of even minor discomfort. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Once Naiyta was satisfied with the incisions and the amount of slightly-viscous mystery goop it'd brushed onto them, it moved on to Roman's left hand. After uncurling Roman's hand from the fist, Naiyta repeated the exact same process on his left hand and forearm, even taking care to mirror the exact same patterns. They hummed a slight tune as they worked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's right hand tried to curl up as well after Naiyta moved on, but it ended up hurting worse, so it just trembled on the table. "Wh-what's that- ah!" Roman tried to speak, but suddenly exclaimed as Naiyta hit a certain nerve. He took in a few deep, shaky breaths before trying to speak again. "S-s-song you're humming?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, just an old tune I made up a while ago." Naiyta hummed, and set down the knife to brush some more goop onto the wounds on Roman's left hand. "I used to play the flute, you know. Still do sometimes." Once they were satisfied with the state of both Roman's arms, they paused, looked them over one last time, and then picked up the flint. It began striking the shard against the blade of the knife, trying to create a spark. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"W-well you know what they say about flute players-" Roman shut himself up as he saw Naiyta take out the flint. Oh. That's what was happening. Definitely one of the things that Roque knew better than to try. "D-don't. Please. Anything else." Roman begged with a shaky voice. His hands stayed rooted in place, but both were shaking like crazy. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh?" Naiyta's hands stilled. "I thought you wanted those cigarettes. Was I mistaken?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"N-no I do just-" Roman stared at the flint before squeezing his eyes shut and throwing his head back. "J-just do it. C-can I at least put it out right away i-in the water?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta rolled their eyes, clearly still disappointed in that response. "Hm. I'll give you a countdown- when it's done, you can put it out. Is that fine?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman wanted to ask how long that countdown would be, but he figured if he'd ask Naiyta would just add more time. He nodded his head once, but kept it back. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Perfect." Naiyta smiled. They began striking the flint again, and first ignited the lamp-oil they'd spread across Roman's right arm, then his left. They admired the flicker and dance of the flame as it crawled up the interconnected patterns they'd carved into his skin, and slowly began to count down... from sixty. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH dog2

AHHHHHHHHHH dog2

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! WAUGHH

' Roman could only hold back his scream for about five seconds worth of pitiful whimpering. His hands shot up from the table and toward the water that would mostly end his agony, but he pulled up at the last possible second and painfully moved his arms to be held out right in front of him. What was that thing that Roque did? She put herself in a different headspace and could imagine so hard that she wasn't even there that she couldn't feel the pain? He had never succeeded at it himself, but he was willing to try anything. He squeezed his eyes shut even harder and tried to imagine his happy space. It wasn't a stage, or roque's room, or a place at any club.. But a docile, quiet house. A living room adorned with green rugs and trinkets passed down generations. A framed photo of a couple with a child sitting on a hand carved wooden table. He sat on a barely cushioned couch, and across from him gently swaying in a rocking chair, was an old man. He had darker skin than Roman, and short curly gray hair. Was this it? Was he doing it? No- he could still feel the fiery agony in his hands. The crackling of the flames. The smell of burning flesh- The scene was no longer peaceful. The house lay in rubble, which could only be faintly seen through squinted eyes. But one thing was clear in his view. (Graphic imagery) The corpse of that old man. Or what he so wished had been the corpse. No, he laid there living with half his skin burned away and missing limbs. He knew that for sure. And what he did later only proved it. He knew he was alive the entire time. Through everything. Roque had made sure of it. Roman made a pitiful noise of complete agony and heartbreak as he opened his eyes again, wishing to feel this pain more than to have to picture that for a second longer. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was practically salivating over Roman's pained expression, the fire dancing on his skin- all of it, but it wasn't enough. It was a mere ghost of everything they'd once felt before, in a situation this one could only mirror. Roman, though he may bear a slight resemblance to her in personality and even looks, was not Raikal. "Seven, six, five, four, three.. two.... one." Naiyta concluded with a breathy sigh. "You can extinguish yourself now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The moment the countdown ended, Roman slammed his arms in to the water with a disgusting sizzling sound. All the parts of his body that were out of the water were covered in sweat, and in addition to that, his face was covered in tears. He left his arms in the water and made no more attempts to move them, and kept his head back. He could only try to breathe right now. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The saltwater on all Roman's open wounds would definitely sting, but at least the fire was out now. Naiyta's simply watched, not making any comment or letting their expression show their emotion. They waited until Roman was more... responsive. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It took no less than five minutes of sitting there for Roman to wordlessly lift his arms up from the water and place them down on the table. "Pl-please.. fix it.." He whispered, keeping his head leaned away as far as possible. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Fine." Naiyta scoffed. At least, the begging made it interesting. They placed their hands over Roman's burnt forearms, and began healing the damage they had dealt only minutes ago. The stinging, burning pain quickly faded, as did the scarring burns. "You endured well. Longer than I thought you would." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's breath gradually calmed as his arms were healed, and after it was completely done, he lowered his head to finally look back at Naiyta. The praise was a minor condolence at the moment, but it did make him feel a tiny bit better.. "W-well I figured you wouldn't have g-given me the rewards if I didn't last the e-entire minute.." Roman said quietly. ".. Th-that was it, right? Twenty seconds for each request?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

At that Naiyta laughed their harsh, cackling laugh. "Oh, no. That was only for your first request! The cigarettes- though, you did earn those, I'll say. If you want to leave now, you can, but you won't get the other things you asked for." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman clearly didn't think it was comical at all as his expression went blank. He wasn't leaving without the things he actually wanted. ... but surely the other two things would not also be fire based, and he could handle it. "I'm not leaving without those other two things." Roman said in a flat tone. "So... keep going." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta inclined its head slightly to the side. "Hm. Which do you want more?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "My stomach back." That one was genuine. "And that food you saved to go with it later." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Alright. That works out better for me, anyways." Naiyta said as they put away the flint and oil-jar back into the box. They left out the knife, but cleaned its surface with a small clothe. "Now- I will preface what I am about to do next by reminding you none of it is permanent. Which hand are you less fond of?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Great. He could see the connection between lighting him on fire and cigarettes, but what did cutting his hand off have to do with getting his stomach put back? ".. Left." He said and pulled his right hand back in to the water. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Perfect." Naiyt said absently, and tapped the table surface to indicate Roman place his hand there. It only took a moment more to look through the box before pulling out a much larger, much more sharp-looking knife, carved entirely from a large bone. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Of course this guy has a comically large bone knife.

' Roman scooted his left hand forward to the exact spot Naiyta had pointed to. "Go ahead, man." Roman said and rested his head on the table. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"What, you don't want to watch?" Naiyta mocked. They slightly adjusted the position of Roman's hand, spreading apart his finger slightly more. Once that was done, they rested the edge of the blade a few inches above Roman's wrist joint, and began to press downward. Of course, it hurt- skin and sinew and muscle and bone all splitting as Naiyta pressed the blade further, severing Roman's hand from the rest of his arm. Their breath was stiff as they butchered him, at some point they held onto the attached part of his wrist to steady it. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman rolled his head to the side, just so he could watch. His expression crinkled in pain, and his breath caught a few times, but he had nowhere near as strong of a reaction to this one. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's expression remained neutral until Roman's hand was completely severed, at which it morphed into something of an invigorated excitement. They used the bone knife to move the hand slightly further from the rest of Roman, then exchanged it for the smaller knife. Holding down the hand with their own, they used the smaller blade to delicately carve away smaller pieces of meat. Roman wouldn't be able to feel any of it- besides the very intense pain still ringing in his severed nerve endings- but it certainly wasn't pleasant to look at. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

A little bit of black goop spilled from the wound, but only enough to make a small puddle on it table. He grimaced as he saw Naiyta carving away at his unattached hand, but.. It was just kind of gross, and not painful. "Are you sad there's one less finger to work with on that side?" Roman questioned. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahh... not really." It hummed, and shrugged. "If I really cared, I wouldn't have given you the option." It moved some of the meat from Roman's palm over to him. "Would you like some?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hahahah, no." Roman said just as flatly. "Feel free to help yourself though. More for you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. Very well." Naiyta shrugged, and, of course, began to devour the meat of Roman's severed hand. They were a very messy eater- most of it ended up in their hands, around their mouth, or dripped onto the table or into the water. It ate like a ravenous, long-staved animal; it swallowed more than a few of his smaller finger bones and cracked open a few of the larger ones to suck out the marrow. They only briefly stopped to let out the occasional breathy moan, or to lick blood and viscera from their hands. It was enjoying this way too much. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (tw: cannibalism. gross. nsfw. etc. I'm sorry)

Roman continued to watch. A normal man would have turned away and vomited, but he just watched with interest. .. This was kind of hot. "Hah, you like that even more than Roque liked my ring finger." He chuckled. Maybe he was getting delirious from weird blood loss again. Or he's just a freak too. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hah... did I?" Naiyta exhaled once they had finished their meal. All that was left of Roman's hand was a pile of bones Naiyta didn't intend on eating. "You did provide well. I don't think I've ever tasted flesh quite like yours before. That's another prize earned." "I'll regrow your hand now," it said, and took Roman's wrist into their hands before doing just that. Bone formed first, then muscle and sinew and veins, though they purposefully didn't regrow his ring finger. "I think you'll be needing it for your final test- if you're still up for that, that is." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Damn, Roman was hoping they would have brought back that last finger too. "Hah, yeah I'm sure the weird blood gives it a.. unique taste." Roman said. "And I need my hand to get my dick working again? Believe me, I've tried that." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm." Naiyta hummed. Once they finished regrowing Roman's hand, it began putting the knives back into the box, as well as the leftover bones. "Well, you'll be using it to earn it." They hummed, closing the box and stepping around the table to stand closer to Roman. "All this has gotten me a bit... riled up. I want you to bring me to finish." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman flexed his new hand, and a grin actually crossed his face. Was that it? No torture or anything? What, did it have teeth down there or something? What was the catch? He turned around and looked up to make direct eye contact with Naiyta. "Hands only, my lord?" He smiled and moved his hands to their hips. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta braced itself on the table, and spread its legs slightly apart so Roman would have better access. "Ah, whatever- use that pretty mouth of yours too, if you'd like," They used a hand to briefly trace Roman's jaw... and didn't address how he'd have to submerge his head underwater for that. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Eh, a little water wasn't going to stop him. It's not like Roque ever gave him a chance to breathe either. Roman pushed it back a bit, still bracing it's hips with his hands. "I can't help but notice you didn't get my stomach back yet, and I'd hate to keep you waiting any longer when you're so desperate, but you're gonna fix up both my parts when this is done, right?" Roman asked and leaned in closer. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta put a hand on Roman's jaw. Their voice was low and rolling. "Oh, trust me- I'll make you good as new. I'll make you better- once all this is done, of course." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Better?" Roman purred back. "Well, you don't need to try too hard, I won't exactly be sticking around for long." He began to move his hands toward the inside of Naiyta's thighs. "Anything I should keep in mind for you? I haven't exactly been with someone like you before." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's breath quickened as Roman moved his hands. "Of course you haven't. There's no one like me." They hummed. "I like it rough. Don't hesitate. I'll keep you in check if you do anything that displeases me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Aye, so sensitive, mpenzi." Roman cooed. "I'm good with directions, you just take the lead." Roman did take some initiative though, and shoved them up on to the table. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta gasped, more out of surprised instinct than anything, as Roman lifted them onto the table. "So eager..." It murmured, and from their higher position could place a hand on Roman's head, guiding him forward. In the same movement, they spread their legs out further, and guided Roman's hand up their inner thigh. "Don't keep me waiting longer." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman nodded, and leaned in all the way. With his free hand he reached across the table and in to that box. After digging through his own bones for a few moments, he took out that smaller knife. Might be fun! ... Well, Roman did try his absolute best, and followed every direction perfectly, but his stamina drained fairly quickly. He was hungry but knew better than to bite Naiyta, had that night with Peregrine, and then climbed that entire mountain. He could only last about half an hour before he collapsed, but he definitely reached his goal a few times during it. Seems he was incredibly practiced in this area. After that half hour, the two of them were halfway out of the pool and on the lip near the door. Their legs were still in the water, but they laid flat on the walkway. Roman had his arms wrapped around its waist and head resting on its chest. He was fast asleep now, with that knife lost somewhere back in the water. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was surprisingly vocal, and unsurprisingly dominant. It kept a hand on Roman's head, both to guide his actions and to have something to hold onto. Once that half hour was up, they laid with Roman on the side of the pool- not sleeping, but definitely spent. They wouldn't vocalize it, but they were impressed by Roman's skill. After a while, Naiyta sat up, and tried to stir Roman from his sleep. "Wake up, now. I don't want to send you home without your well-earned prizes." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's eyes opened up slightly, but quickly closed again. "Five more.. minutes.." Roman mumbled groggily and kept his arms weakly wrapped around it as it sat up. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's brow furrowed- it clearly wasn't the happiest being refused. "It's now or never. I sincerely doubt you want to walk away without everything you worked for, especially after all that." It said. "You don't even have to do anything." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman wasn't entirely sure he could walk at all at the moment. He released his arms and plopped on to his back on the walkway again. "Mmm.. okay.." He mumbled and let his arms fall to his sides. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta helped Roman slightly further out of the pool, so it could have better access to his abdomen. They planted a hand over where his stomach should've been. "Stomach first, yes?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm.." Roman nodded his head weakly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's hand began to glow where it touched Roman's skin, and he'd be able to feel... a number of odd sensations. The first was the warm numbness, that permeated his entire but was most present in his abdomen. The next was a slight tingling just below his skin, as Naiyta altered what was inside him. The last was the strange, not quite painful but not exactly pleasant sensation of his stomach reforming inside of him. Naiyta said nothing as it worked, deeply concentrated on the task at hand. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The numbness mixed with his overall tiredness, and made him feel even more sleepy. This was much less painful than how the organ had been removed... Roque didn't exactly have a way to work externally. He laid extremely still, always on the verge of unconsciousness... That was, until he felt his stomach growl. That tensing sensation he hadn't felt in years. He gasped and rolled in to his side, putting his hand over his stomach and feeling it gurgle and flex inside of him... It was completely empty, and he could feel that hunger. Not just in a 'Oh I'm feeling weak, I need to eat something' kind of way, but a direct sensation straight from his stomach.. "Wow- I never thought I'd feel that again-" Roman said, smiling widely. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta lifted their hand away as Roman moved. It smiled. "Mhm. You're welcome." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Thank you." Roman quickly added back. "Did you have someone save some of that food from the gala..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I did. When you leave, it will be waiting for you in the refectory." Naiyta nodded. "The cigarettes will be delivered to your room." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Honestly, he wasn't sure he could make it all the way to the refectory tonight. "That works for me." Roman said and slowly moved to lay on his back again. He crossed his arms behind his head and grinned up at Naiyta. "I'm ready for the last one now." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hummed in acknowledgment, and spread apart Roman's legs before getting to work. Imagine some vivid description here I don't even know where to begin writing penis magic "That should work, now." It sat back once it was finished, and let Roman enjoy his now-working body parts. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman definitely squirmed a bit throughout the process as Naiyta worked. Roque didn't make it easy, or painless, to remove that curse.. Roman took some deep breaths and gave Naiyta some puppy dog eyes. "I helped you out and I'm sooooo tired.. Would you be so kind to return the favor, my lord..?" Roman asked pathetically. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"After you treated me so well, how could I say no?" Naiyta shrugged, and repositioned themself back between Roman's legs, and put their hands back where they'd just been. "I think you deserve it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman moved his arms back behind his head and settled in. "We should do this more often while I'm still around~" Roman chuckled. "I'm sure I'd be able to please you even more after I can get some real food." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmmm, definitely." Naiyta hummed, getting started slowly. "We'll have to make the most of the time we have together." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, Naiyta might have started slow, but the second it touched him he finished. Beyond just the normal spasms, he rolled on to his side to face away from them, taking shaky breaths. "Wooooooow, um-" His face darkened in a blush, extremely embarrassed. "I-it's been a while, I haven't- usually it's not like that sorry.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta blinked in shocked amusement, and wiped away where some of it had landed on them. "Well... we'll have to build up your tolerance more, won't we?" "Another time, though. I'm sure you want to go get something to eat." It hummed, and began to get up. The attendant appeared at the door again, which was now open. "They'll help you down." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Yeah, we can work on it." Roman said, though he really doubted he had time to improve much before he died. He reached over and grabbed his jacket and robe. "I'm so hungry, I think I could eat that entire buffet." Roman said and slipped his jacket on. He tied his robe around his waist and held his hands out to the attendant. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant held out their hands to support Roman, much in the same way they had supported Reagan earlier. "You can have as much as you like," Naiyta smiled, and stepped back into the water, presumably to wash off. "Have a good night, Roman." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman put practically his full weight against the attendant. "Do you think you could carry me, pal? You're gonna have to drag me down the mountain if you don't." Roman said, then turned back to look at Naiyta. "Feel free to come and fetch me if your bed feels too big for just you tonight! I soooo hate sleeping by myself.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

At Roman's request, the attendant lifted him into a bridal carry. "Mhm. I'll keep that in mind." Naiyta hummed, but didn't say more before the attendant carried Roman out the door. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Naiyta brought Roman back up the mountain path to the acropolis, through the winding temple corridors, and back through the great door that led to its quarters. Once the door was shut and they were in the sealed privacy of the room, Naiyta closed what small distance there was between it and Roman, sweeping him into a hot, passionate kiss. They held the back of his head with one hand, and ran the other across Roman's body, traveling under any clothes that might cover his skin. Naiyta only occasionally parted its mouth from Roman's, to take in heavy, hot breaths and examine his face and features. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman could hardly contain himself during the long walk there. He was just a little disappointed that there wasn't an actual bedroom here, but maybe this could still be interesting. He mirrored the kisses perfectly, and moved perfectly with how Naiyta did. Roman's appearance really hadn't changed much since the previous night- just some stubble growing back in and the right twist of hair burned away to the top. But Naiyta wouldn't be able to look at his face much longer, as as soon as it's hands trailed to his thighs, he threw his head back and bit his lip again. "A-ah- careful-" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahhhh, so sensetive," Naiyta drawled, parting from Roman for a longer moment. Though they kept one hand on Roman, they used the other to unfasten their corded leather belt. It shrugged the black-and-white fabric of its tunic off its shoulders, leaving it completely bare. Once that was done, they turned to undressing Roman. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was only wearing his robe as a short skirt that had one measly tie in the back, so it didn't take too long to undress him either. "Wh-what do you wanna do?" Roman smiled. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stepped back to look over Roman's bare body. "Oh, there is so much I would like to do... what do you desire most!" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, there were quite a few things that Roman had been missing out on in the last year.. But he felt like some of them posed a very real bite risk, Naiyta probably wouldn't go for it, or he wouldn't have the stamina to keep up. He hummed and put his hands on his bony hips. "I want you to use me." Roman smiled. "I just want to be an object to you, my lord. Throw me around all you'd like." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta smiled, clearly very pleased to hear that. "Good." "Lay down. On your back." It pointed to the ground. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman kept his smile and did as he was told, and laid flat down on his back. He put his hands over his stomach and stared up at Naiyta expectantly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As soon as Roman had laid down on the floor, Naiyta stepped over him and sat down on his abdomen, their genitalia almost touching Roman's and their legs straddling his sides. It didn't weigh much, but all that weight was pressed fully onto Roman's body. There was no absence of skin-on-skin contact. It let out a shuddering breath as it got settled, and leaned down over Roman, their hand gently tracing down his neck. "Get on with it, then. Please me, you tool." It leaned close to his ear. "Don't keep me waiting." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Of course, my lord." Roman purred back. ... After quite some time, Roman was curled up at Naiyta's side, asleep again. His arms were wrapped around their waist and his head rested on their chest. Roman had shown a bit more resilience this time around, but not by much. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta held close to Roman, in a position that was almost warm and caring, idly toying with his hair and tracing his cheek. It hadn't been the best sex ever, but it had relieved some of the mounting sexual tension between them. They could shift their thoughts from all-encompassing desire to other things. Other things, like how much Roman truly resembled Raikal. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman really had no thoughts as he slept, just content that Naiyta wasn't as quick to get him off of them this time. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta waited until Roman showed signs of stirring or wanting to get up to move... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

After quite a while, Roman finally shifted a little. "Mm.." He mumbled and squinted his eyes open. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"How are you feeling?" Naiyta asked in a gentler tone. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Tired... But good." Roman smiled, just a tad through his sleepiness. "How are you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm very well." Naiyta cradled Roman's head in its hand. "You've pleased me well today, Roman, in more ways than one." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"There's nothing that makes me more happy than doing just that." Roman chuckled. "But I might get going now, I think I can find my way out on my own. You should keep resting for a little, you really threw me around back there." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmmmm.... alright. I have business I should attend to, anyways." Naiyta stretched out a bit. "Are you sure you don't need help getting back? It's easy to get lost up here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm sure," Roman assured and pushed himself up to his knees. "Have a great day, Naiyta." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I will," Naiyta sat up, but didn't move from the floor. "I'll have the products for your hair sent to your room. I do want you to use them." They reminded. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I will- it will take me a few hours between getting my hair all unbraided and then fixing it up." Roman said and stood. "I'll look totally different next time you see me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's alright. I look forward to seeing it." Naiyta smiled. "Safe travels back to the Citadel. I'll see you later." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Naiyta led Kallum through the hallways and beyond the Great Door, to a room that held nothing in it but a large, cold pool. The door shut behind them with a deafening thud. Naiyta turned to face Kallum with a bright, almost-warm smile. "Strip naked for me, will you? I want to see all of you." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum hadn't seen that smile - it looked- nice on them. And he couldn't lie that he hated the robes, he'd made it known to himself on the first day. So he obeyed, nodding as he took off the offending outfit. No show, no deliberation, just off. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Similarly, Naiyta undid their corded belt, and let their robes fall away from their shoulders, leaving their own pale body completely bare. It neared Kallum, and placed its hands on his chest, slowly tracing them down over his stomach as it looked over his body, contemplatively. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum had seen bodies before, and yet Naiyta still stunned him. The electric ran all over his body as it touched him, tracing the muscle - it wasn't as defined as it should have been, but it'd only been a short period of time since proper training. Still. Good amount of muscle. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took in a sharp breath, then closed the gap between itself and Kallum, sweeping him into a hot, wet kiss. It held Kallum's jaw in its hand, and used the other to reposition Kallum's own hand onto their hip. It leaned into Kallum with the physical affection of a lover, and more than once slipped their tongue into his mouth. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum tensed at the- the wetness, the heat was nothing, his own heat rose without any flames, like his own blood was boiling. The touch made him tense up, his hand forced to Naiyta's hip shaking as he touched the skin, his jaw stiff, though allowing Naiyta's kiss. However, he couldn't stop the surprised noise as- tongue. He moved his mouth in tandem, forcing it to respond, but nothing with Jodurr had lasted this long. Or been this much. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta let out a breathy, almost moaning sound as they parted with Kallum. They took a step back, and considered him for a moment. "Lay down. On your back." It pointed to the ground with the same warm-ish smile. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum allowed himself to carefully drop down to his knees, then scooted to lay down, not contesting Naiyta. Not daring to, not needing to. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took a step back, and kneeled down before Kallum. It put its hands on the inside of his thighs, but avoided touching anything just yet. "How do you feel?" It asked in a low, hissing whisper. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum instantly jerked away slightly, then mumbled something that might have been an apology, in his own Kallum way. He nodded to their question, then elaborated, "Good- still- no, just good." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta repeated. They took their hands away for only a second, and climbed over Kallum's body, to where they could sit over his stomach, their legs straddling his torso. It leaned down over him, its breath hot on his cheek. "Are you ready?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum grunted, though it was far more of a squeak, as Naiyta sat over him. They weren't heavy, and he was strong anyway. Still his stomach twisted and his chest tightened. As it neared, his eyes lit with fire and embers marked spots on his cheeks like a furious blush. He nodded. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good..." Naiyta hummed. It put a hand to Kallum's bruised neck, and began slowly moving down his body. "Let's get started..." .... Once everything was done, Naiyta laid beside Kallum, close enough to touch without laying over him. It held his hand in its own, and was idly tracing lines into his palm... @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum shuddered involuntarily as Naiyta's finger ran along his palm. That was- it was something, the whole- experience. He stared bug-eyed at it, then glanced at his hand that it was tracing. "I'm not good at touch," he mumbled, vulnerable. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You still performed well, my sweet. My little soldier." Naiyta moved their hand to run it through Kallum's hair. "Now, I believe I promised you something after." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum flustered and stammered at the pet name, then nodded. "My head." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Through the contact of their hand in his hair, Naiyta began to heal Kallum. The pain in his head would finally, finally ease. "And how does that feel?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum relaxed as the horrible stabbing pain finally succumbed to Naiyta's healing hands. "Better," he said with a nod, shutting his eyes. "It's gone now." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta retracted their hand. "And what do you say when someone does something for you?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Thank you," Kallum said. He opened his eyes and began to push himself to sit. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta helped Kallum sit up with a hand to his back. "Leaving so soon?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum couldn't stop the shudder running through his back. "No- I- I'm just sitting. Should I- go? Do you- do you want me to?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, it depends." Naiyta leaned back and took their hand away from Kallum, only to look over him once more. "Would you like to do anything else together?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stared at Naiyta. "Like what?" He asked very bluntly. He shifted his sitting position to be more comfortable. He was supposed to be looked at, but not really like this- but it wasn't too far a stretch. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well- anything. If you wanted to continue what we were doing, if you'd like to try something new. It's up to you, really." It shrugged. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Up to him. Daunting. "Mattias said... he said I wasn't good at making decisions." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, you won't get any good at it if you don't try every once in a while." Naiyta teased with a smile. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded to agree. "I mean- I chose earlier. This. So. Yeah." He nodded again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You did." Naiyta smiled. "So, what will it be now?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum looked down at the floor. "I don't know." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, that's no fun. I'm sure you can think of something." Naiyta teased, and Kallum might get the sense that this, too, was a test. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum looked back at Naiyta. "Do... do youwant to continue?" He wanted to win the test. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I want to do," Naiyta smiled, "Whatever you want to do." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

That didn't help. "I think- I want to do... what you want me to do." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's smile widened. "That's just what I wanted to hear." It stood up, and moved to stand over Kallum. "On your knees again." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum had won! He'd passed the test. He quickly shuffled onto his knees obediently for Naiyta. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta cupped Kallum's jaw in their hand, and guided his face close to their body, to where they'd be able to feel his breath against them. It let out a haggard, sharp breath of its own. "You have- ah, you have fire powers, don't you?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum, despite how awful touch had always been to him, allowed it, the electricity almost a background noise. He nodded, his forehead brushing against them. "Yes." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's eyes fluttered shut, then open again. They braced themself with a hand in Kallum's hair. "Set yourself alight for me." It hummed. "Set yourself alight while you eat me out." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 (nsfw, fairly explicit language I'm sorry this is what a 1 on the freak check gets you)

Kallum's eyes widened at- eat them out? He had no idea what he was doing. But he nodded, and fire was soon embracing him, hot and bright, flickering at Naiyta's hand in his hair but not hurting it. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta let out a sharp exhale as Kallum lit himself on fire, gripping him roughly by the hair and guiding him further up into it. "You're doing so well-" It said between sharp, gasping breaths. "You're doing perfectly." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum's inexperience was obvious as Naiyta manipulated him upwards, but he was sure trying his best. The fire engulfing him flickered and rose and burned as he tried his best to please... @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

... Well, despite Kallum's inexperience, Naiyta seemed pretty pleased by what he did- judging by how vocal they were throughout it all, and the iron-strong grip they kept on his hair, they were pretty satisfied by the end of it. It lounged with Kallum on the cold, hard ground afterwards, not touching him this time but not taking its eyes off him. "You have pleased me well tonight." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stayed knelt, hands shaking slightly, heir still mussed from Naiyta's grip on it. Embers and stray flames dropped from him but never met the floor. His eyes shifted from Naiyta to the floor, to Naiyta again, a loop. "You're welcome. And- and thank you." He nodded. "For healing my head." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course." Naiyta laid on their stomach with their face propped up in their hands, staring at Kallum. "Ohhh, but I am spent. I really hope you don't want to do anything more, because I don't know if I have stamina for it." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum just nodded. "If you don't want to, that's- that's good." He stayed kneeling, eyes continuing the cycle of looking from Naiyta to the floor to them again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Tell me, though, Kallum," Naiyta said, his name rolling off its tongue. "Are you proud of how you've treated me tonight?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded. "You seem happy so... I did it well." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta smiled. "Good. You should be proud." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum flushed and just nodded again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you would like, you can leave now. I'm sure you're worn out too, and I wouldn't want to keep you longer than you wish." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"You want me to go?" Kallum didn't sound particularly upset, just clarifying. Go autism boy go. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you would like to go." Naiyta nodded. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Okay." Kallum stood up, picking up his robes. "...I do not like these clothes," he admitted to Naiyta. "They feel wrong." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta sat up, and watched Kallum as he moved across the room. "Ah, that's a shame." It hummed. "Maybe, if you behave, I can get you something else to wear. How does that sound?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum's eyes widened and he quickly nodded, so quick he almost brought back his headache. "Yes. Please." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, but not now." Naiyta silenced Kallum with a hand. "Consider it... your next prize. Something to motivate you until we next meet." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded, cautiously redressing himself, grimacing to himself. Horrible robes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stood up as Kallum finished dressing. They didn't redress themself, but walked him over to the door, which opened as they approached. "Sleep well tonight, my little soldier." They smiled before he left, and leaned in for a final, parting- honestly, quite chaste kiss. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

A kiss was nothing compared to all that had happened between them tonight, and yet it was the final one that felt the most strange. He had won, he had passed the test, and yet- it continued. He supposed it was because he had to earn better clothes. So he allowed it, and nodded obedience. "Sleep well," he mumbled back, before leaving. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

A kiss was nothing compared to all that had happened between them tonight, and yet it was the final one that felt the most strange. He had won, he had passed the test, and yet- it continued. He supposed it was because he had to earn better clothes. So he allowed it, and nodded obedience. "Sleep well," he mumbled back, before leaving. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The door shut behind Kallum, and he was left back in the hallway...

Suprisingly, Naiyta and Roman didn't run into any ghosts or deer girls, or even any worms, on their way to Naiyta's quarters. Naiyta brought Roman back to the immersion chamber, which was colder than the outside. At least, it was slightly more homey than normal! A small, plush bench had been set up, on which currently sat a wooden box. It wasn't Naiyta's usualy box of belongings- this one was larger, and was decorated in feather patterns. Naiyta set Roman down on the bench, and began looking through the box. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As soon as Roman was let go of, he laid down and rested his head on the arm of the bench. He was already shivering, and wrapped his arms around his waist. "I-i like what you did with the place, the bench really brings it together." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you. I thought it'd be nicer for you to have somewhere to sit." Naiyta hummed as it began taking things out of the box- clothing items, to be specific. They were folded neatly, and all seemed to be pretty warm, especially compared to what Roman had on now. The clothing Naiyta brought out consisted of:

a set of simple undergarments made for someone with external genital
A pair of loose, fisherman-style trousers
A wrap cloth meant to go around the waist and lower back
A hip wrap made from warm but rough fabric
A corded leather belt similar to the one Naiyta wore, but decorated with beaded and woven accessories
A wrap-style shirt that'd cover the chest while keeping the back bare
A large, shawl-like overcoat woven from soft wool, with two large, open slits in the back
Warm bandage like arm and foot wraps
Wood-bead jewelery, including bracelets, anklets, and a large pendant necklace
And a pair of soft leather shoes.

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman watched as it took out all of the items.. That was quite a lot.. was this all one outfit, or for multiple? "Wowwww, old timey.. Whose were these? They don't look like stuff you'd wear... Unless you do wear underwear like that sometimes, I'm not judging." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"These were Raikal's." Naiyta said casually, then turned to Roman. "Now, let's get you dressed. These go on first." It handed the undergarments, leg and arm wraps, and waist wrap to him. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hm, seems like this was all one outfit. Should be pretty warm. And also Raikal's clothes, a bit.. Weird. Roque hated it when he did anything like Roxas did. Regardless of that, Roman took the undergarments and slid them on under his robe. Yeah, they were definitely too big and would fall off the second he stood up.. He didn't say anything, but his expression showed a bit of embarrassment and shame. He just wordlessly reached out toward the wraps, hoping that would be better. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll help you tie it right." Naiyta said, and completely invaded Roman's privacy to adjust how the underwear was tied, making it so it fit him better. It seemed very eager to dress him, moving his limbs around like it was dressing up a doll. They took off his robe after that, and began tying on the waist wrap- also a bit too big, but the way Naiyta tied it ensured it was warm and snug on his body. It moved on to the forearm wraps. "Give me your arms, please." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't really have any complaints that he voiced, but this was definitely strange, right? He wasn't really strong enough to move all this much on his own right now, but Naiyta could've asked before they were all over him.. But he was starting to warm up as more clothes were placed on him. "Do you need my jacket off?" Roman asked and sat up. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded. "Yes. These will go up to your elbows." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman carefully slid his band jacket off and hung it up on the back of the bench. You could clearly see the intersecting R's and bloody logo behind him. Once that was hung up, he held out his arms. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta began wrapping Roman's forearms, creating a bit of a fingerless glove around his palms, then working their way down his forearms. Roman's arms were a bit skinnier than Raikal's must've been, and the wraps went all the way over his elbows, but they weren't tight enough to restrict movement. Once that was done, Naiyta kneeled down in front of Roman and did the same to his feet and legs- those wraps went up to his knees, but didn't go over them. "There. That looks good." It hummed, and brought over the next garments in this complicated outfit- the wrap shirt, trousers, and belt. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Man, he hadn't been dressed like this since he was still performing and Roque made them all wear those skin tight leather outfits.. He kinda wished he still had that somewhere in his blood dimension, but it was back at Roque's old place, if that was still standing. "Did you dress Raikal a lot..? You're pretty good at this.." Roman said. "You even figured out how to wrap my hand with that finger missing." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Sometimes. I knew them very well." Naiyta hummed. It brushed Roman's new hair away from his shoulders, and began fastening the wrap shit around his neck and torso. It functioned a bit like a halter top once it was on him. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't voice any complaints. ".. And they'd wear this every day?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Most days." Naiyta nodded. "Layers are very practical. I think you'll get used to it after a while." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It'd take us a few hours to get in to our Rayes outfits, hah, especially-" Roman paused for a moment. "They were just a lot too, but kinda in the opposite way of this. All tight and black. Nothing flowy or fancy. And we had to wear masks too." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Raikal liked flowing clothes. Things that obscure the silhouette." Naiyta hummed, and finished wrapping the shirt behind Roman's back. Once again, it was a bit loose on him. "You don't have to continue wearing your mask, if you don't want to. I enjoy seeing your face. And besides, at this point, you're an exception to many of my rules." "Time for trousers." It said, and started pulling the pants up Roman's body. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Awwww, I get special rules. That's sweet." Roman chuckled. He lifted his butt up as Naiyta pulled the pants up, but didn't help more than that. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You are my favored." Naiyta smiled. They fastened the ties by each of Roman's hips, and fixed the corded belt around his waist. "We're almost there." It said, and pulled out the next items, the hip wrap and the shawl. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman wasn't even sure if it was possible to put this outfit on by yourself. "I know." He smiled. "Do you think I'll look more beautiful with these clothes on?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta fashioned the hip wrap onto Roman's body so it sat just below his belt. "You'll look ravishing." It smiled up at him. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He smiled back, but it didn't seem to be as strong as the response he had to beautiful. "Thank you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta draped the shawl around Roman's shoulders, and adjusted his hair so it sat over it, before adding in the final touches of the jewelry. It leaned back to look over Roman's entirety. "You look more beautiful than I have ever seen you before." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was laying mostly on his side, propping up his upper body with his elbow against the arm of the bench. His smile grew wider as Naiyta complimented him again, and he glanced away from it as a blush spread across his cheeks. "I'm not very good at responding to compliments about my appearance so just- thanks. It makes me happy that you like how I look." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's smile widened. He looked so much like Raikal. It cupped Roman's face in its hand, and pressed a light kiss to his lips. "You're so beautiful. So beautiful." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman kept his gaze averted until Naiyta kissed him. It was a bit hard to kiss with how much he was smiling, but he tried to keep up with Naiyta. "You're stunning too, probably the most unique person I've ever met." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you." Naiyta's golden eyes fluttered open. They seemed to truly appreciate the compliment. "But I'm more than just a person. I'm a God." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, of course. Your powers are incredible, but it's that humanity you have left in you that I love. I see that kindness in you." Roman said softly and moved his hand over Naiyta's chest. "If your powers disappeared tomorrow, I'd still have you. But if you gave away your humanity to keep your powers, what would we have left?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

With his hand on their chest, Roman would be able to feel the soft beating of Naiyta's heart. It didn't correct Roman by stating that if its powers disappeared he, it, and everyone in the citadel would die. "You flatter me." Naiyta smiled. "'Kind' is not a word people typically use to describe me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I've had people try to warn me about you, but I know how to handle myself." Roman chuckled. "You're kind to me, usually. Maybe patient is not how I'd describe you. But I think you can be kind." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I like to reward those that serve me well." Naiyta said, and shifted their hands so they rested on Roman's shoulders. "And you have served me very well." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"And I look forward to serving you for as long as I have here." Roman said and placed his hands on top of Naiyta's over his shoulders. "Thank you, for taking me. I was really on a suicide mission, I don't think I could have killed Petrai and that person she lived with.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's only what you deserve." Naiyta looked over Roman fondly. "It's not often I come across someone like you, someone so... willing." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"What can I say? I like to make people happy." Roman chuckled. "I've got nothing going for me, so I may as well make someone else feel better." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm very glad, that you can find so much fulfillment in serving me." Naiyta smiled. "I hope that I can become your only purpose." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Ooooooohhhh, red flag. "Ah- um-" Roman stumbled over his words for a moment as he tried to think of something that wasn't outright shooting that idea down. "If I only have so much time left here, my lord, I'd like to spend at least a little time discovering me. I've never gotten the chance to. I want to be there for you frequently, but I may need some time to myself as well." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's gaze darkened at Roman's hesitance. "Roman, you don't want to make me upset, do you?" It slowly began moving its hands away from their affectionate place on his shoulders. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The flag was getting redder. "Naiyta please- why do you do this?" Roman's smile fell to a frown, but he kept his hands on top of Naiyta's. He didn't force them to move or anything, just kept his hands there. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I do this because I care for you, Roman. But I can't care for you as I do now when you won't listen to me." It said, brow furrowed. "I only want what's best for you. And it breaks my heart when you refuse my guidance." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I care too but- but-" Oh, he found it so hard to talk back against this. He didn't want to upset them, and not even in a threatening kind of way, just a disappointment kind of way. "I'm listening. I really am. B-but how is me focusing on some other things occasionally not what's best for me..? I've never had a chance to explore myself, I just.. I want to try it before I die, please." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta moved their hands another inch away, out of Roman's grasp. "I can't have you turning into something I don't want you to be, can I? Not after I've put in all this work to get you how I want you." Its brow furrowed further- not in anger, in something close to some kind of sadness. "Roman- I wonder if you truly care for me as much as I thought you did." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman wasn't strong enough to lean forward to take their hands again, so they just fell down to his side. "I do care about you, I love you. I-i wouldn't have nearly killed myself last night to grow my hair out if I didn't." Roman said. "I- just- R-roque did the same thing, she wanted to control me all the time.. I was fine with it when we were in bed, more than fine with it, but.. L-living like that 24/7 is exhausting.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took their hands further away. They were trembling slightly, and their voice took on the same vulnerable, shaky tone they had when they'd been telling Roman their history earlier. "Roman, I- I don't mean to hurt you," It said weakly. "I just- I want someone to love me, entirely. I want to know what it's like to feel that sort of complete, unconditional love. I- I'm sorry. I'm sorry for wanting that, I know." They leaned back and closed their eyes in a grimace- like they were trying to keep back tears. "Nothing could ever truly love me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Not knowing what else to do, and feeling pretty nervous, Roman gripped on to the band jacket that was still hanging over the back of the bench. Him and Roque had never had this conversation, or anything like it. He was much more like Naiyta wanted him to be with her.. "There's- there's nothing wrong with wanting that Yta. Really. But please.. Is really all you want me to be is a slave to you? I- I would hope I have more to offer, really. It's okay to.. To still be me." Roman took in a deep breath. "I do love you, just the way you are. And I'll do anything for you. But just think about how being your slave will hurt me. I'll do it if I have to, but.. Consider it, please." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'd never dream of hurting you, Roman." Naiyta insisted. "I feel nothing but love to you, and- and I want to show you that love by transforming you into something beautiful." It paused for a long while. "But... if it's truly something you care about, I'll... consider it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I know you would never hurt me." Roman said, still holding on to the jacket. "It is, it's something I care about.. I think we'll both have to make sacrifices, and this is.. A big one from you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I do care for you. And I know I've asked a lot of you." Naiyta nodded. "It's only fair I give up some in return." They cupped Roman's face in their hand again. "Just continue showing me the devotion you do. That's what I ask." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Good, they got them to see his side without going totally cold.. He was getting somewhere. "Of course, nothing's changed." Roman took his hands off of the jacket and placed them on the back of Naiyta's hands again. "It still makes me happy that you're happy. I just hope it makes you feel the same when I do something on my own, that isn't necessarily something you asked me to do." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta leaned close to Roman and placed a kiss on his cheek. "You have made me very happy. I hope you'll continue to in the future." Shifting topics, they asked, "How do the new clothes feel? Warmer?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman smiled again as Naiyta kissed him. "They feel great, I'm not shivering anymore. There's definitely plenty of layers.." Roman said. "Can I wear these leaving here or do you want to keep them safe up here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You can keep them. They're hardy clothes, they should last." Naiyta nodded. "But don't damage them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I would never dream of it. But... I have had some people attack or manhandle me already, what happens if someone else damages them?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Tell anyone that threatens you that if they do, they'll have to deal with me. I can't have people running around hurting you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Does that apply retroactively or just for people in the future?" In the back of his mind he was coming up with a scheme.. If he wore this outfit to his fight, would Naiyta tell him to take it off? Or would it just tell Ryu to not touch him? That would basically guarantee a win, if he could keep some distance from her smoke.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Who's been threatening you?" Naiyta asked instead of answering the question. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, you know Cansu assaulted me already. That big giant guy with the collar also grabbed me and intimidated me last night. Aaaaaand Ryu has been a bit threatening as well, but she is my opponent.. So I don't worry about out of battle assaults as much since she knows she'll get her chance." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Levi is dead. You won't have to worry about him anymore." Naiyta said. "As for Cansu.. that is a more complicated topic, as he is a deity too, but if he does anything to you at all, I'll deal with him." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, wow, Levi's dead? That was quick, he was just threatening me a few hours ago.." Roman smiled again. "Aw, did you kill him for meeeeee?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"His opponent did. You can thank Enya for that." Naiyta hummed. "But I may have moved up his fight when I received word he had assaulted you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Awwwww, you're too sweet. Thanks for that, he said he'd come for me if he won. I should go thank Enya when I get a chance.. Whoever that is." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"She's on the snake side. Grayish hair, fire powers, burn scars." Naiyta described. "She fought very well." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Fire powers, huh? I'm sure you like her." Roman said. "She's not gonna attack me, right? And try to burn me? I'd hate to ruin these clothes so fast." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I do, quite a lot." Naiyta smiled. "Ah, it might be best to let her, ah, cool down a bit after the fight. Things got pretty intense." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm kinda glad I slept through it I'd it was that rough." Roman said. "How did you and Kal survive Asha exploding? She was left like- stuck in the hospital for months after her husband blew her up or whatever. You just walked it off." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"My powers. I have the ability to regenerate my body mere seconds after damage is done. When I realized what was happening, I extended that protection to Kal. I couldn't have both contestants die." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Wow, so Naiyta was practically invincible. "Wow, that's pretty handy. I bet she wished she had that." Roman chuckled. "What would happen if they both died? Is it harder for you to try to follow them?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It is. And I'm sure she would." Naiyta chuckled, and nodded. "Pretty much. There's too much interference- harder to get a grasp on one soul when there's another in the way." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I get that. Did you have any luck with the first two? Get in to the Fold at all?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Nothing. My successor has enveloped them under her wing before I could grasp any of them." It frowned. "So we will have to continue." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hmmm.. Unfortunate." Roman kicked his legs a little as he thought. "Oh, I have a really genius idea! I know how we can wrap this up with the next fight." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Really?" Naiyta asked. "What is it?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"How about you let me in to whatever spot you and Albanes are waiting at during the fight, and right as you're gonna-" He slid his finger across his throat and let his head fall to the side for a moment before lifting it back up. "- I'll distract Albanes. I can just say something or.. Attack her. Either one." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta thought it over. "You know... that might actually work. I usually wait in the arena for the fight, but Albanes shares a private box with Reagan and Kairas usually. It'd be easy to allow you the privilege to watch the fight there." It smiled. "And then you can take care of her." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He's so smart!! Yayyy!! He's gonna save everyone else! Except that last person who has to die, sorry. But everyone should get to go home after that, right? Maybe including him? He'd be a hero! Only like four people would have died, that's a good percentage of people who don't have to die! "Would there be a way to get Kairas and Reagan out before it's go time? I'm sure the second I turn on Albanes they'd.. Attack me." Roman said. "They're probably gonna be suspicious on why I'm even there in the first place." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm....." Naiyta thought it over. "I can excuse you being there- everyone knows you're my favored, and I'd like to treat you well. That shouldn't be too much of an issue. Albanes might be suspicious, but I highly doubt she'd expect an attack." "Reagan and Kairas are... issues. Kairas especially- I can typically guilt Reagan into doing what I want, but Kairas is loyal to the Lifebringer. Any Lifebringer. The only way I could guarantee them not being in the stands is if I involved them in the arena... perhaps it would be best to employ that plan for an arena in which I can do just that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Keeping those two out would ensure that I can actually get to Albanes. Even if I can't land a hit, maybe the shock will be enough to distract her.." Roman said. "Just let me know ahead of time so I can get my strength up. We'll only have one shot before Albanes permanently bans me from that spot.. And will you give some kind of signal or should I just do it as you're moving toward the loser?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. There's only one arena I'll know I can involve them in- Peregrine's and Darcy's." Naiyta said. "That will be your best shot. I have a few fights I'd like to happen before then, so you'll have more time to prepare." "Once I approach whoever the loser is, that'll be your cue." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Okay, still let me know ahead of time so I can eat well beforehand." Roman nodded. "Should I try to get on Albanes' good side before that? We didn't get off on a great foot." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I will." Naiyta nodded. "Ahhh... if you think it would help. She might grow less suspicious of you.... but since she knows you're with me, I doubt she'd ever fully trust you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't need total trust, I need just enough." Roman said. "And after you fix the problem with the Fold, can everyone go home..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Everyone surviving will go home, with my gratitude." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Perfect, that's incredibly generous of you, my lord." Roman smiled. A hero! Everyone would thank him.. "Does that include Reagan and Kairas too? I'd hate to have to see them around after everyone leaves and we celebrate. They're kind of bummers." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll send them both back to their pitiful lives. I won't need their services anymore, anyways." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This would be good news to share with Reagan if he ever got a chance to be subtle again.. If he could talk to them before he had to attack Albanes, maybe he could get Reagan to hold off any guards from attacking him. "Perfect, I don't want them ruining our fun." Roman said. "What do you want to do after we succeed?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I wouldn't let them." Naiyta smiled. "Ohhhh... what a question that is...." Naiyta hummed. "You already suggested one thing I plan on doing- the reenactment of my vengeance, I think that'll be very fun." It let its hands travel over Roman's now-covered chest, "And maybe we can find some other ways to celebrate..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman grinned back, and held on to Naiyta's hand. He slowly lifted it up toward his mouth. "I'm sure we will.. but how would it be any different than a regular night?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta pressed a chaste kiss to Roman's knuckles first. "Ahh, that's the question, isn't it? I'll have to think up something special." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm, you have thousands of years worth of ideas to pull from.." Roman chuckled. "Roque was very good with ropes, but you don't have a whole lot of things to tie me up to here.. Besides this bench now." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"We can always redecorate. Just because this is what this place looks like now, doesn't mean it's what it always has to be like." Naiyta hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm surprised you don't have a full sex dungeon, honestly. I think you'd get a lot of use out of it." Roman said. "I see the appeal of this water room, but it's a little.. Bland for anything besides water torture, I think. Some more stuff to interact with would be fun." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I had something like that back in the material plane, your 'real world' so to speak." Naiyta hummed. "Maybe I could replicate that here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Of course they had that. "I'm not big on morning sex though, so let's not get ourselves all wound up before lunch." He chuckled and sat up. "Maybe next time I'm back in here I'll feel well enough to help you with some remodeling." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded and moved away from Roman. "I'd prefer to work alone- you might be more of a distraction than anything. And besides, then it'll be a surprise." They smiled, evidently a fan of surprises. "Maybe I'll have it ready for tonight." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, I think a surprise with that may even be more fun.." Roman sat up further and looked over the edge of the bench. "Do you mind if I get the pants wet, or are you gonna carry me out?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They can handle getting wet- but I'd prefer if you avoided getting them too messy." Naiyta moved to pick Roman up again. "I'll carry you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman held his arms out and let himself get carried. "I'll do my best to keep them clean." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I appreciate it." Naiyta hummed as they led Roman out of the room. "Now, where should I take you next?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Once he was out of the room he realized he had forgotten to grab the band jacket.. Oh well, these new clothes fit just fine. "Hmm.. I don't know, I don't actually have any other plans. I talk to you more than the other competitors.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Is that something you would like to do? Talk to the other competitors?" Naiyta asked. "Most of them are rather dull, honestly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, not especially. But I don't think I can just keep coming back to you every second of the day.. I think I've only had about two pleasant interactions here, with Clove and Seki. Everyone else has been.. Awful to just boring." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You're probably right. I have work to do anyways, and I can't have you distracting me. Should I take you down to the Citadel, then?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Awwww, am I really that distwactwing?" Roman laughed. "But yeah, that sounds good with me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant brought Roman all the way up to the temple and through its winding corridors. On that journey, Naiyta had fed Roman the entire plate of fruit. "You can stop here." Naiyta instructed the attendant, and they set Roman down. "I've made some renovations to the place. I hope you're excited." It leaned close to him, even as the attendant was still there. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stood, and began to stretch. He figured he'd need it. "Mhm! Very, very excited." Roman said. "But I do have one question- I think I left my band jacket in there earlier, do you have it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I've put it away. For safe keeping." Naiyta smiled innocently. It placed a hand upon the panel in the door, and the door began its unfurling opening sequence. The view immediately beyond it was the same old immersion chamber as before... but beyond the great pool stood another, smaller door. Naiyta led Roman inside, and began waking towards the far door. "Now. Continue with what you were saying in the refectory, will you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hm. Roman would have to ask for that back later. He looked on with intense interest as the door opened, which quickly fizzled out as he saw the same exact room. "Oh you put a new door in back there-" Roman said once he saw it. How strange.. It could just put a whole new room in that easily? Not having a real bedroom felt like a deliberate choice at this point. Regardless of all that weirdness, Roman walked alongside Naiyta. "The flute thing? Of course." Roman chuckled. "You have excellent breath control, and such nimble fingers.. I have been a bit nervous to ask for a blowjob since you seem to quite like to eat me, but I think it'd be worth the risk. If you'd humor me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I did." Naiyta hummed, intertwining their arm with Roman's as they walked. "It's easier, at least for me, to make additions, rather than replacements." "Ohhh...." It hummed as Roman went on, its cold fingers tracing his skin. "Well, depending on how well you perform, perhaps I could treat you?" They winked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hehe, I'll try my best." Roman chuckled and leaned up against Naiyta. "I can't wait to see what you have done with the place." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can't wait to show you." Naiyta replied. They parted once they reached the door, which looked like a smaller replica of the Great Door they'd come through. Naiyta placed its hand on the panel, and the door unfurled. The room beyond was... different. It didn't seem out of place, it was simply jarring when moving from the bleakness of the immersion chamber. It was warm and almost homey, with a fine rug on the floor. On the walls hung various tapestries- a better look at which revealed they depicted various erotic scenes. The room was lit by the soft, flikering light of a few oil lamps placed stratiegically around the room. At the very center of the room was a low, round bed only covered by a thin woven blanket. On the bed sat two items- a length of corded leather rope, and a bottle of lubricating oil. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ooooooohhhh, I love it! A bedroom!" Roman smiled and ran inside. He didn't hesitate before jumping on to the bed and stretching out across it. "It's perfect! And all those tapestries are a good touch- did you make them yourself?" Truthfully, Roman was just excited that this place wasn't full of gross, cold, salty water. It had always left him shivering and tired feeling, not to mention it'd get in his eyes and mouth and basically blind him.. This was much better. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm glad you like it." Naiyta smiled. They sat down next to the bed, draping their upper body over it, to look at Roman. "You've treated me very well, I thought you deserved some comforts." Their gaze drifted lazily to the tapestries as Roman mentioned them. "Ah, they're replicas of ones I had in my manor, back during my reign. I had them specially commissioned back in the day." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wow, a patron of the arts.." Roman continued to look over them. It was a bit hard to tell what was happening in some of them, especially since the only person he could really recognize was Naiyta, but they were all pretty good. "How did you get them here? I know you can drag stuff in from outside of the realm, but I'm assuming that those tapestries in your manor would have disintegrated or been destroyed by now.. Seeing that it's been thousands of years." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They're replicas. I can recreate things I'm very familiar with. It's just... part of my powers, here. I do have ultimate control over this realm." It hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Interesting. So who sent out those fire people to nab us? Was that also you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That was me." It nodded, and didn't elaborate. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"... that was you? Like the fire was you or you sent it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's something in between. That form is the only thing I can really manifest in the 'real' world anymore- but it's not exactly my true self." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Huh. Interesting. It did kinda sound like you." Roman said. "Can Albanes do something like that too?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"She doesn't need to. As the regnant Lifebringer, she has no trouble existing on the mortal plane. Her soul still inhabits her own body." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. So she can leave here whenever she wants..? Why is it just you and her here, what about the other lifebringers between you two..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Technically, yes, though I doubt she'll be leaving anytime soon." Naiyta hummed. "The disruption in the immaterial fold prevents the other incarnations from fully manifesting. We simply don't have the power to spare for them for more than a few hours." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Were they here before Albanes put the wrong person there?" Roman asked. That must've been weird.. To see the future incarnations of your powers just appear in here every few hundred years. And if they had to do the same eating trick that Naiyta had to do to get the powers, that must have been extra awkward.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded. "When things are as they're supposed to be, we each reside in our own corners of the realm to wait out infinity. This citadel is mine. None of us like each other enough to want to spend eternity around each other." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That sounds.. Lonely." Roman frowned. "I guess you all don't like each other since you have to eat the one that came before you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That, and other reasons. It's hard to like someone when they took your immortality from you- or, for some, gave you immortality in the first place." Naiyta hummed. "The loneliness is something you get used to. At least, I did. And besides, I don't need to be lonely anymore. I have you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

So the eating thing was true, as far as Naiyta was willing to share.. So what would happen if he was successful in biting Albanes..? He'd only have one shot to figure it out.. "Yeah, you don't have to be lonely. Except if I lose my fight, you said you wouldn't bend the rules to spare me.. Would you just go back to being lonely then..?" Roman asked. "And if I really do stay here, am I immortal or.. Will I die soonish and you'll be alone again..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That is true..." Naiyta admitted, then with an air of lightness added, "I suppose you'll just have to win, then." As if it was the simplest task in the world. "I made Raikal immortal. It wouldn't be hard to do the same for you." It shrugged. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Winning against Ryunoske. If Naiyta wanted him to win, it should have picked an easier opponent.. Ryu would love nothing more than to smush him down in to a pile of bloody bony mush and then scatter his bits around the arena, probably. The only semblance of an advantage he had was his powers, but Ryu had resisted them in the past already. "Wait wait wait- if you made Raikal immortal, where are they now..?" Roman frowned, and twisted his head to look at Naiyta. He had figured they had just.. Died of natural causes thousands of years ago. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I killed them." Naiyta said plainly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's face went pale, and that fruit churned uncomfortably in his stomach.. "Wh-wh-" Roman tried to speak, but his voice caught. He sat up, pulling himself away from Naiyta. His eyes traveled over to that door- the door that had already closed. The door that only Naiyta could open. "Why?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"My motivations were... complicated. I wouldn't expect you to understand." Naiyta's voice grew reserved. "But the simplest explanation I have is that they were cheating on me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well damn, maybe it was a good thing that Roman didn't try to say Darcy and him had had wild crazy sex down there.. "That- that doesn't mean you had to kill them- You could have just.. Broken up or s-something.. if it was that serious.." Roman said quietly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, but it was that serious." Naiyta said gravely. "Like I said, I don't expect you to understand. But it was a necessary course of action." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Can you at least be a bit more specific about- what they did..? Wh-what counts as cheating to you..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They sired a child with a woman. A woman from the south." Naiyta scoffed. "I did not learn of this child til he was fourteen, and was brought into my court by his mother. As if I could not see the resemblance." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh. Okay. That was a relief. He became slightly less tense after that. "W-well I'm infertile now, so you don't have to worry about any mystery kids of mine.." Roman said. "But what did you do to the kid..? Anything..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The child became my first successor. Anore Xá Ilftaidos." Naiyta hummed. "You've probably seen his statue in the temple entrance." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... You killed his parent for cheating on you, but then let him become your successor?" Now he was just confused again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"He took the Godhood from me. He didn't intend to, but that's how things went." It shrugged, and didn't elaborate much. "I believe his goal was to simply assassinate me. But I knew the line had to continue." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Roman just took in some deep breaths through his nose, and kept staring at the door out. ".. How did you kill Raikal..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I burned them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Of course it was that. What else would it have been? Roman had so many other questions, but none that he felt brave enough to voice. He just sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door, with fresh tears forming in his eyes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta climbed up onto the bed, and sat next to Roman. They slowly began taking the large outer shawl off his shoulders. "I certainly hope our conversation hasn't put you out of the mood entirely." It hummed lightly, though the casual talk was layered with a challenging undertone. "It'd be a shame not to put all this to use." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh, yeah, no foreplay was better than talking about how you had murdered your last partner with your one specific phobia.. He knew Roque had killed Roxas. In that same basement she had kept him in.. Killed him just for not using his powers enough for her benefit... For breaking up with her.. For a million small things he did that didn't really matter. That didn't justify his death- or the state she left his soul in. Deformed and grotesque. And for what..? Not wanting to mind control people at a stupid concert? Why did he always find himself in these situations? As Naiyta began to remove the clothes, it would be obvious how uncharacteristically tense Roman was under them. "I-i don't care. Do whatever you want.." Roman mumbled, and let his eyes linger down toward the floor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

If Naiyta noticed the tension or cared about Roman's lack of enthusiasm, it didn't show it. In a matter of seconds, the shawl was off, and the limb bindings were next to go. The clothes armbands were quickly replaced by a leather cord tying his wrists together. Naiyta kissed his knuckles, and looked up to him. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This was wrong, wasn't it? Shouldn't Naiyta have cared? Even Roque would leave him alone if he looked like he needed that.. He didn't fight Naiyta, and just let them remove the clothes. Thankfully, it only seemed like the shawl and undershirt had gotten damaged from the fire, so there wouldn't be too much to repair. Roman stayed silent as Naiyta retied his hands with the new leather cord. He failed to respond to the kiss or smile right away, but a moment after Naiyta looked up at him he returned an empty smile back to it. The movement of his face finally pushed some tears down his cheeks, which dripped down on to his lap. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta continued undressing Roman- the shirt was easily untied even with his bound hands, and the various wraps, the pants, and the foot wraps all soon followed. Soon enough, Roman was left in nothing but Raikal's underwear. Naiyta cupped Roman's cheek in their hand. "You look beautiful, even when you're crying." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Again, it took a moment for Roman to even register the contact. Once he did, his eyes slowly rose to look at Naiyta... At least, close enough to it. He didn't seem entirely focused. "Thank you." He said flatly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta smiled- not out of pleasure, more of a way to indicate to Roman his wistful sighs and lack of focus were not enough to get him out of this. It turned to his feet, and bound his ankles together, the same as his wrists. "There you are. Pretty and perfect and all mine." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Why did he get himself in to this situation? Why didn't he know any better? He had already been through this once. But he knew he couldn't even get out of this room without Naiyta letting him.. Let alone rethink this entire situation. Kairas probably hadn't even seen in to here, no one would know what happened besides Naiyta.. But it's not like it mattered. What did he have back home to go to? Why not just stay here forever and then let Naiyta kill him when he inevitably does something to upset it? Its not like anyone would miss him.. The only two people that might have were dead already. From his hand. "Mhm.." He hummed. "All yours." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta smiled, its tongue lapping briefly over its lips and teeth. "All mine." It repeated. With gentle hands, it moved Roman to a laying position on the bed, on his stomach with his hands outstretched before him, bound together almost in a praying motion. Naiyta positioned themself behind Roman, their cold hands planted on his hips and lower back. They began massaging him, gently at first, trying to relieve some of the tension in his muscles. Their touch was tender. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't resist getting moved around, but it was clear he wasn't getting comfortable no matter what soothing thing Naiyta tried. Naiyta would mostly poke bone, since Roman was still reeling from growing all of his new hair in. Occasionally they'd hit a certain sensitive spot, and Roman would wince, but that was most of the response it'd get. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

After a while, Naiyta gave up on trying to make Roman more physically comfortable. They got up from the bed, and from a chest hidden behind the wall, got out a number of stone- and lacquered wood-carved sex toys, which they began coating with the liquidy oil. It leaned over Roman, to whisper in his ear. "Are you ready, my blackbird?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Blackbird? That was a new one.. And something that didn't make a lot of sense. He didn't say anything, and closed his eyes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took Roman's lack of protest as consent, and began... ~~~ The pace they set was relentless, testing Roman's stamina til he'd have no choice but to have some kind of reaction. The implication to every movement, every motion was clear- Naiyta would have its way with Roman, whether he was enthusiastic about it or not. Afterwards, the laid next to Roman, their arms wrapped around him. It was the most affectionate embrace it'd shown him thus far. cw for major consent issues @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

(Consent violations) Roman was still quite sensitive, so it didn't take a lot to get a reaction out of him, but it also didn't take long before he was totally exhausted. In their past encounters, he'd sometimes have a funny thing to say here or there, or ask how they were doing, or if he was doing well.. But this time he only spoke in grunts and whimpers when Naiyta wouldn't give him a break. Oh, hadn't he been asking for this earlier? Didn't he specifically request it? Why was it so awful? At least Naiyta healed up the soreness, he wasn't sure he'd be able to walk once the bonds were off otherwise. He laid with his back to them, taking in shaky breaths. "Wh-where's my jacket? You're so.. so cold.." Roman shivered. "I-i want my jacket back.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You don't need it right now." Naiyta chastised, but rolled away from Roman anyways. Their disappointment was clear in their tone. At least it seemed to have enjoyed seeing him suffer under its hand. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He went through all that, and they still had the gall to talk to him that way? Even without Naiyta's negative body heat, he was still shivering. The blanket he was laying on top of wouldn't have been enough even if he could grab it with his binds on. "I-i need it back- I-i don't have any other sh-shirts or jackets.." Roman said and pulled his knees up to his chest. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll get you something else." Naiyta scoffed, and sat up from the bed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why can't I just get my own clothes back?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Because you don't need them, Raik- Roman. You don't need them." It cast an almost scornful, almost sympathetic look over him. "I am reinventing you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was giving them a strong side eye as they walked, but as soon as they called him by the wrong name he moved his whole head to look at them. "Why? Wh-why are you doing this to me? Why are you turning me in to Raikal? J-just so you can kill them again?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta had their back to Roman as they spoke, and didn't reply for a long while. He'd be able to see the firm clench of their fists, though, and hear the heavy rhythm of their breath. It walked over to the storage chests and got a knife, which they used to cut away Roman's bonds. They walked to the door, which opened, and pointed to it. "Out. Now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't blink as Naiyta grew more and more angry, and only curled in on himself slightly when he saw Naiyta grab the knife. As soon as the bonds were free, he rubbed his hands and feet together. "But I don't have any clothes I'll freeze o-out there-" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's chest was rising and falling with heavy breath, and their hand was trembling with rage as the continued to point out the door. "I don't care. Get out." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh god, what had he gotten himself in to here.. Silently, Roman sat up and pushed himself off the bed. He stumbled in his first few steps and entirely fell over, before pushing himself back up and continuing on his path out.. He kept his arms wrapped around his chest, but had nothing to cover up his lower half.. He managed to get out of the room and instantly fell in the water as he touched stepped foot in it. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta simply watched Roman pathetically exited the room, with nothing but scorn and anger in their gaze. When Roman fell into the pool, the buff bird attendant from earlier stepped out of nowhere and dragged him out of the pool, probably to make sure he didn't drown or anything. They carried him all the way to the door... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... With wet schlops, the bloody creature dragged Roman all the way back to the door of the immersion chamber. "Knock for me, please." Roman asked. Some time later, it pounded it's goopy hand on the door, leaving splatters and droplets everywhere. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Reagan and the attendant had definitely made it back to the immersion chamber before Roman. All that could be heard from behind the door was the occasional pained cry. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

God, this was awful. "Y-you can go." Roman sighed, and reopened the portal. Without a word, the blood thing slipped back down in to the pit with a disgusting splash. All the blood it had left around was still present, as well as the bloody handprint around Roman's wrist. He grunted, and with intense effort, pushed himself up to his knees in front of the door. "N-naiyta!" He called out. "I-i know you can h-hear me! Please, I-i want to apologize!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

After Roman called out, the pained crying stopped for a moment. A splashing noise sounded followed by a pained groan. A few moments later, the door opened. Naiyta stood behind it, their white robe stained with blood and their bone knife held firm in your hand. "You dare come to grovel at my feet." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... This was beyond what usually happened, wasn't it? Roman didn't say anything, and collapsed down in front of Naiyta pathetically. He pulled himself forward, against all common sense, and kissed Naiyta's feet. "Y-yes.. I'm sorry, I was.. Irrational, m-my lord.. You deserve more respect." Roman said, and stayed in a pathetic lump next to Naiyta's feet. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

With the hand not holding their knife Naiyta gripped Roman's jaw and held his face still. "I do deserve more respect. I am your God." It demanded. "I deserve obedience." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Even if Roman wanted to move his head out of Naiyta's hand, he wouldn't be strong enough to. "Yes, you d-do.." Roman tried to nod. "Teach me a lesson, so I can't forget again. I d-deserve it. Reagan didn't do anything. I did." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You want to be taught a lesson?" Naiyta scoffed, then moved their hand to grip Roman by the wrist. "Very well." It dragged him into the chamber, where two masked attendants were dragging a limp, but conscious, Sadihak out of the pool. Their arms sported a few new deep cuts, and they were soaked to the bone, but they were still clothed. A large, stage-like plinth rose from the water, decorated only with a pair of chains. The attendants carrying Sadihak brought them up onto the plinth and forced them to sit, chaining their limbs so they couldn't easily move from their sitting position. Not that Sadihak could really protest anyways- they seemed weak and distant. Similarity, a pair of attendants approached Roman, binding his wrists together with iron cuffs like the ones Sadihak had and forcing him to sit at the edge of the pool, mirroring Sadihak's posture. Once both Sadihak and Roman were chained, Naiyta climbed onto the stage and stood behind Sadihak. One of the attendants handed it something- a many-tailed whip. "Your punishment, Roman, will be to watch them suffer." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had no protest as he was dragged in. Sadihak was getting out- Oh.. they were being chained up.. That was just so they couldn't intervene with him, right? Right? Okay, good, he was getting chained up now. He'd helped! Sadihak was safe! ... Why was it still standing by Sadihak- "No- No! Wh-what did they do, my lord?" Roman begged, and weakly pulled against the attendants and chains. "They don't need to be brought in to this! I-i'm the one that disobeyed!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendants began to dismount the stage, leaving only Naiyta and Sadihak upon it. "You should consider, Roman, how your actions impact those around you." Naiyta sneered, and readied themself into position. In a motion as quick as, well, the cracking of the whip, Naiyta struck Sadihak against their back. Sadihak whimpered at the impact, but otherwise held steady. Naiyta's gaze didn't leave Roman's the entire time. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh, he was considering it. He had already been considering it. He could only bare to look at Naiyta and Reagan for a moment, before he squeezed his eyes shut and forced his head up. He wished he could close his ears too. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Watch me, Roman, or I will double the pain they endure." Naiyta ordered. One of the attendants near Roman steadied his head in their hands so he couldn't turn away from the scene before him. Naiyta flogged Sadihak again- then again, and again- five times in a row in total. Sadihak had more of a reaction each time, unable to mask the pain that rung through their voice or contorted their features. They kept their head down, not wanting to look at Roman. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As soon as Naiyta commanded him, he opened his eyes again. Tears were freely flowing down his face, and he flinched every time Sadihak was hit like it was him in their place. "I'm sorry, I-i'm sorry.." He whimpered, and shivered as the water from the pool crept up his new dress. Why couldn't it be him? His powers already numbed his pain, and as far as he knew, Sadihak had nothing like that to help them.. "I-i'm a cursed child.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta continued, striking Sadihak once more, then five times more, then ten times. If Roman was at all counting, Naiyta had surpassed twenty. Sadihak's pained cried peaked into horrible screams, that only faded into whimpers before they were hit again. Their head was limp, their arms trembling. Maybe it was a good thing Roman wasn't facing their back- there was no doubt it wasn't raw and bleeding. They didn't react to Roman's cries. They couldn't. At thirty nine, Naiyta paused. "It was customary in my time to only administer thirty nine lashes unto a criminal. Any more was seen as inhumane." Naiyta struck Sadihak with the whip again. "You did this, Roman." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Thirty nine seemed like a lot! Quite a lot! .. But did he do this? Who was he kidding, of course this was his fault. It was always his fault. Sadihak wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't for him being so stupid. He got himself in to this mess even though everyone had warned him. It was his fault. He could easily smell the blood from here. And he hated to admit that it was intoxicating. Darcy's blood had not sat in him well, and he was desperate for any more to help get his strength back. But he tried to hold back those feelings. He stared directly at Reagan and tried to use his powers, but he was far away, and their mind was tightly shut. They wouldn't even feel that he had tried anything. Unconsciously, drool slipped past the corners of his mouth. He was starving. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta continued relentlessly, even as Sadihak's pained screams turned to whimpers. Eventually, they stopped reacting altogether- no more soud, no more bodily reactions save for the way their body moved when struck. They looked almost dead- even their breathing was imperceptible. Naiyta did not stop, even then. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman kept trying desperately to get in with his powers. It took Sadihak basically entirely giving up before he managed to barely get a hold on their mind. With Sadihak's eyes closed, no one would be able to see their pupils turn white to match Roman's. A calming, cool sensation spread across their body, numbing out the pain from there. Roman had to maintain quite a bit of focus, especially with the smell of the blood getting to him, but he tried to recreate their reactions so Naiyta wouldn't be able to tell. To outsiders, it just seemed like Roman was staring intently at the horrific scene in front of him, and drooling all the while. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Entirely given up, indeed. Sadihak was drifting in and out of consciousness from the pain at that point, and the cooling numbness Roman put over their body seemed to put them over that edge completely. They were out, their head hung limp and their body unreactive to Naiyta's cruelty, save for the reactions Roman created. At what must've been around fifty or sixty strikes, Naiyta finally stopped. It stepped back, and coiled the whip up again. Perhaps it was frustrated with how little Sadihak was reacting now. "Have you learned your lesson now, Roman?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

To even think about replying to that, Roman untethered himself and blinked a few times. Sadihak was already unconscious.. So hopefully they weren't hurting anymore. ".. Y-yes.. I'm sorry.. Pl-please don't do that again.." Roman said weakly, and tried to wipe some of his drool away on his shoulder. The smell of the blood was overwhelming. He slowly turned his attention back to Naiyta, and bowed his head. Some spit dripped in to the water beneath him. "A-and please.. C-call me Raikal." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta handed the whip back to the attendants, who helped it down from the stage. It waded through the water to stand over him. "Never think of defying me again. Never think of refusing or even questioning my authority." Naiyta instructed. "You now know the consequences." A pause. They, almost tenderly, put a cold hand to his cheek. "My blackbird." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman kept his head bowed until Naiyta was right in front of him. He at first moved away from it's hand, but quickly leaned back in and forced himself to smile. "I-i would never dream of it, my lord.." Roman said. He wanted to bite it's hand. It would be so easy. But he didn't. He just kept on drooling. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shifted their hand from cupping Roman's jaw to holding it still, so he wouldn't be able to move away. "Look at you. Pathetic and slobbering." It scoffed. "What do you want?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stared up at it, terror clear in his eyes. "N-nothing, my lord.. I-i just want.. want to go to bed." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You wish not to please me before anything else?" It lifted an eyebrow. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He took in a deep breath. "Wh-what do you want, my lord? Pl-please just be clear with me.. I'm too tired to assume." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I want you to know the consequences of your actions." It said, plain and simple, "And I want nothing more to do with you tonight. You revolt me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Good. Knowing that he wasn't attractive to Naiyta at the moment filled him with some amount of happiness. Maybe Naiyta would just leave him alone from now on, and this could be the end of it. Until he died a hopefully regular death. "Alright. Th-then send me away." Roman said. Oh, he wanted to ask Naiyta to heal Sadihak, but he knew even mentioning that would lower the chances of it happening. He could smell that they were still bleeding. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Up on the plinth, the attendants were dragging Sadihak away. They didn't react at all. Similarly, the attendants around Roman were undoing his restraints and dragging him away... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman just stared up at Naiyta the entire time, with a blank expression. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The room was cold and empty, and exactly the same as the last time Kallum had been inside it- save for the stage-like plinth in the middle of the water, and the spray of red blood decorating it's surface. "Get up there." Naiyta coldly pointed to the stage. Kallum would easily be able to climb on top of it. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

(Damn Naiyta still thinking about Roman)

5:11 PM

@soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

(ah damn sorry

)

Kallum eyed the plinth and nodded, climbing rather easily onto it. Once up there, he looked at Naiyta. "Are you actually angry? Or was she lying about that too?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta followed Kallum up the stage and stood over him. "Down." It pointed, gesturing for Kallum to kneel. It glared over him. "What do you think?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum knelt down in front of it. "...you are," he genuinely answered. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I am." It affirmed. "I am very, very angry right now." They let a hand trace Kallum's jaw, holding him firmly still. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Saying nothing, Kallum tensed under the touch, drawing in a sharp breath to combat the electric running under his skin. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Speak, Kallum." Naiyta ordered. Another test. One Kallum might understand had only one correct answer. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Yes, Naiyta," Kallum obeyed, blinking slowly. That didn't feel enough; perhaps, the answer to the test was a question. Unsure if he was pushing his luck, he did indeed ask, "Why are you angry?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

By Naiyta's cold expression, that wasn't the correct answer. Using their proximity to him to their advantage, they slapped Kallum across the jaw- harsh enough to leave a reddish mark on his skin. "Don't call me that. You aren't worthy enough to utter my name." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

(tw reference to previous choking) He hadn't been struck before. Mattias- didn't. Jaelyn couldn't. Dmitri hadn't. He'd pressed his fingers into Kallum's neck until he couldn't breathe, until Dmitri had to be wrenched off him, but he'd never tried to slap Kallum. Stunned, he jerked upwards into a sudden stand, but only stared at Naiyta's violent hand, dumbfounded. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's hand was trembling in anger, their brow furrowed to a deep crease. "Did you forget the instructions I gave you?" Its eyes narrowed. "Try again." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum came to his senses and lowered himself back down to his knees, eyes sharp on Naiyta's hand. Easier than eye contact. Safer. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Speak, goddamnit!" Naiyta shouted, even as Kallum obeyed them. "Don't just stare at me!" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

His shoulders jerked up defensively. "Yes, sorry, N- sorry." Kallum moved his stare to the floor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I am your Lord. Your God." Naiyta chastised. "Refer to me as such." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded quickly, the sting in his cheek still not fully faded. "Yes, my Lord." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta planted their hands on Kallum's shoulders. "Are you ready to please me, my little soldier?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded, then to appease Naiyta, spoke, "Yes my Lord." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta cooed. "Stay right here. Don't move even a muscle." It stepped away from Kallum in a quick and harsh movement, then walked behind him. If Kallum was following Naiyta's orders, he wouldn't know where they were going. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum didn't dare disobey, only blinking because he had to. He didn't twitch, he kept his eyes glued where Naiyta had been, as if still there. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was gone for a while, and when they came back, it was with a small box. They sat the box on the ground and got something out of it- a leather rope. "Your hands." It ordered. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum held out his hands, cupped as if to take something. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta slightly adjusted the positioning of Kallum's hands so his wrists were pressed together, and began binding his arms together with the rope. They worked slowly, and made sure the bonds were tight. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum tensed slightly as Naiyta bound his arms tight, but forced himself to relax, eyes fixed up to look at their face. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Once Kallum's wrists were tied with an intricate but firm knot, Naiyta stepped back and looked over Kallum. It seemed pleased with his obedient, subservient state. It took something else from the box- a leather collar, with a hold on the back Naiyta could pull Kallum around by. It stepped behind him to put that on, ignoring the bruises that decorated Kallum's neck. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum tried to get a good look at the collar as Naiyta moved to put it on him, wincing as it touched the delicate flesh of his neck but steeled himself, refusing to sink as low as to anger Naiyta further. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Once the collar was on, Naiyta jerked Kallum's head backwards, forcing him to gaze up at it. "How desperate are you to please me, Kallum?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum couldn't hold back the yelp as the collar pulled against his neck, his eyes wide and stinging as he looked upwards. "I- I want to, a lot," he mumbled to Naiyta. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta pulled him a bit closer, a bit tighter. "Speak up. What would you do for me?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum sharply inhaled before he forced out, "Anything, my Lord." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Anything." Naiyta repeated, savoring the word with a breathy whisper. Still holding Kallum's collar, it stepped in front of him, and pressed his head close to their legs. With their free hand, they began unfastening their belt and sliding off their bloodtained tunic. "Set yourself on fire." It commanded. "We're doing the same as last night." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Anything." Naiyta repeated, savoring the word with a breathy whisper. Still holding Kallum's collar, it stepped in front of him, and pressed his head close to their legs. With their free hand, they began unfastening their belt and sliding off their bloodtained tunic. "Set yourself on fire." It commanded. "We're doing the same as last night." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

@soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum grunted as his head was pressed against them but once the command was given, he obeyed. His body alight, he leaned his head back to look up at Naiyta's face. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta drawled, their breaths sharp and measured. It held Kallum close to its body, especially once there was no longer clothe between their skin and his. "Serve me well, my little soldier..." It hummed. "Make me forget I was ever angry in the first place." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded into Naiyta's flesh and turned his head back down. ~✨can these bitches stop fucking✨~ @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

-seriously oh my god- When Naiyta was spent- though they'd never seemed to reach the complete satisfaction they were after- they stepped away from Kallum, still leaving him tied up. "You did.... well enough." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stared at Naiyta, not quite eye contact. He stared until it felt safe to look away, glancing at his bound wrists, experimentally tugging against them - his hands felt odd like this - but not trying to escape them. Well enough wasn't good. He glanced back at Naiyta, waiting for the next set of instructions, sure there was more. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Before Naiyta would get a chance to say another potential command, a foul odor wafted in to the room.. It reeked of death and decay, and even covering your nose didn't seem to stop the effect you'd feel from it. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta had stepped away from Kallum to put their tunic back on, and didn't get through folding it right over their body before they noticed the smell. "Oh, come on." It groaned, its attention now completely off Kallum. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum scrunched his face up as the disgusting smell and brought his wrists to his face to try stifle it. "What is it, N- my Lord? What's that smell" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Kallum complained, dark slimy tendrils of rot began to emerge from beneath the door.. they were quickly moving toward Kallum. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta pulled Kallum to his feet by his bound wrists and stood between him and the door. "I know you're there." It said, presumably to the tendrils. "Show yourself." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum had been about to stand himself and shivered from the electric as he was yanked up. He stepped closer to Naiyta, trying to shimmy in front to protect it instead. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The tendrils skirted around Naiyta, purely going after Kallum. They didn't touch him yet, but they were close.. "Urgh- You are disgusting. Cover yourselves first." An annoyed, androgynous voice called out from beyond the door. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Naiyta continued trying to keep Kallum away from the tendrils. "You're the one trying to break into my private quarters uninvited." Naiyta scoffed. "I'm not letting some worm tell me what to do in my own Citadel." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Kallum glared down at the tendrils, now backing away from them since they had no interest in Naiyta. He ignored the bickering between the strange voice and Naiyta, eyes on the tendrils. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The tendrils just followed him.. And they smelled awful. Aaaaand left a trail of black residue behind them as they moved. "I'd say this is MY citadel at this point, seeing as I can't leave it.. Yet you leave all the time, and come back with more pathetic men." The thing huffed again. "Get the stupid boy out and we can talk. Or else I am going to stand here and annoy you indefinitely." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta rolled their eyes and turned to Kallum. "Stay here. She can't hurt you." "Is there something you wish to discuss that he can't be privy to?" It said to the ghost, "Or do you simply expect me to bend to your whims and fancies?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Do you think I am not listening to you and that skinny guy all the time? I'm sure I've overheard some things that you'd rather not have me discuss." She said. "Get rid of Kallum." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kallum stood obediently, nodding but eyeing the tendrils carefully. He listened to the conversation cautiously, ready to- to do something, what he did best, if anything went awry. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"If you wish an audience with me then you'll do as I say. Kallum will stay." Naiyta crossed their arms. "Or you will not speak to me at all." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Or what will you do? What can you do against me?" A thin, pale hand reached through the door.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

At the sight of the hand, Kallum set his hands alight, stepping closer to Naiyta protectively. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll put you somewhere your Albanes can never reach you." Naiyta threatened, "To Start." It didn't react to Kallum's attempts at protection. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

So it could move her out of here.. If it wasn't lying. And Lifebringers always lied. The ghost fully moved through the door, and covered Kallum from her view with her hand. She was clearly disgusted by Naiyta being naked, but she was somewhat maintaining her composure. "Don't tell Kallum to move. I don't want to see my brother's dick, ever, for any reason." She grumbled, and kept her eye on Naiyta. "And that is actually what I want to talk about. Me and Raikal want out of this stupid temple. I just want to be outside, and he wants to be with Rukime or whatever." "Besides just getting us out of your hallways, I might have something to offer. I really don't care for that Roman guy, so I could let you know some of the stuff he says when you're not around.. That I can remember, anyway." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum's eyes narrowed at the ghost's words. "I'm no one's brother. I don't have siblings." Not anymore. "I don't know you- another person who claims to know me, another liar." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll tell him what I want to tell him." Naiyta maintained, their voice cold. It rolled its eyes, clearly not in the mood to be having this conversation. "And why should I believe your word? I hardly think the blabbering of a mad, lonesome ghost is worth your freedom- or anyone's, really." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn had absolutely no interest in responding to Kallum. She was quick to accept that this wasn't her Kallum, but he looked enough like it that she couldn't see him in any different way. He was missing something that hers had... Oh! He had both eyes. Yes, this is a different one.. "I just figured you'd like to at least get me out of here. I could maybe see why a freak like you would want to keep your murdered ex as a ghost for freaky reasons, but I don't see why you'd want me here. Talking to you. When you could just put me outside and never see me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum just stood there, vaguely protective with fire on his hands. (just go on without me kallum don't know what to do aside from fight

) @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's none of your business why Raikal is here, and she's staying here." Naiyta said, putting a protective, almost controlling hand over Kallum's shoulder. "As for you...." It looked her up and down with a disgusted sneer. "I did not bring you here. And I suspect Albanes would not be happy if I let you go." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Madelyn sneered right back. Extra sneery. "You don't have to let me "go" or whatever, I just want to be outside. And then you can tell her that you moved me, if she's worried about it." "And what, are you scared of Albanes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not afraid of her." Naiyta retorted, their tone harsh and edged. "She's just messed up enough- I don't need her running around breaking more because she's angry." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Albanes doesn't get angry." Madelyn stated. "And when you said you didn't bring me here. What does that mean. Who did." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, trust me, she does." Naiyta rolled their eyes. "Who do you think?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. You. Or a different Lifebringer. Because you don't like me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Wrong." Naiyta replied simply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn was silent for a moment. Who else could it have been? "But- back on the island.. you said something like.. You wanted to rid the world of filth like me, or something like that. Who else could have done it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You think that was me?" Naiyta barked a harsh laugh. "It wasn't me. You're just... a little stowaway." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Albanes said the Lifebringer was talking to me. Who else could it have been." Madelyn quickly tried to defend her stance. "And I didn't choose to come here, if you're trying to say it was me.. At least, I don't remember that. I don't remember much of what left me like this to begin with." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There have been seven incarnations of the lifebringer. I am one of them." Naiyta crossed their arms over their bare chest. "And I didn't say you came here. I only implied you came here with someone else I actually wanted here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Madelyn thought again. ".. Oh, Sadihak. I'm not very happy with what you've done to them either, even if I'm not their biggest fan." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta made an approving humming noise to indicate Madelyn had guessed correctly. "Yes. Though, frankly, it isn't your business what I've done with them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well they are my... Sibling in law, or something. And you just whipped them half to death." Madelyn huffed. "And I don't recall them doing anything. Besides helping Roman out." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you're so concerned about them, what are you doing here, yelling at me?" Naiyta said, clearly trying to avoid the topic. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm not yelling. It also wasn't Sadihak's fault, so why would I yell at them about it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I was simply making a point. They'll be fine." Naiyta scoffed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... Is that their blood on your clothes." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Does that matter?" Naiyta didn't spare a glance to their clothes, still on the floor. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yes. Because it's disgusting. You are lucky they didn't die. Maybe I will go talk to them." ... For the first time since she had gotten here. Directly, anyway. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"And what do you think they'll make of you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't know. I assume they'd like me more than you. Considering all you do is torture them for no reason." "Someday, someone is going to get revenge on you. Roman, or Sadihak, or maybe even Kallum.. Albanes.. Someone." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't care what they think of me." It said. "I don't care what anyone thinks of me. Least of all you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well maybe you should care. Then maybe Raikal wouldn't be begging to see her son again over you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's brow furrowed. "What do they want with that brat? Do you know what he did to me?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, I assume Rukime knows what you did to their parent." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took a challenging step. "Don't you dare. They had that coming from the moment they decided to step away from me. I was meant to be their everything." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn just grinned. Good, she missed getting under people's skin. Around most of the contestants she was too braindead to speak clearly. "Clearly your everything wasn't enough for them.. And I can easily see what you're lacking. Any care for anyone but yourself and your greedy, childish emotions.." "And I thought you didn't care about what people thought of you..? Seems like you care a whole lot that Raikal found someone that genuinely loved them.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Shut it." Naiyta ordered. "I'll let you out, under the condition you speak to no one about me. Anything about me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Good, this worked! "Will I have free reign to explore this whole place, or are you going to trap me somewhere else? If you trap me somewhere stupid, I'm sure Albanes will protest." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You'll be able to explore every part of the citadel the contestants can." Naiyta waved their hand vaguely over Madelyn. She wouldn't feel any different. "Don't do anything stupid to make me reconsider." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn looked down to her free hand, humming. "Great. I'll be back if you lied." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, I'm telling the truth, so don't come back." Naiyta rolled their eyes. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm. Go talk to Raikal sometime, they're so lonely up here. Maybe you can rekindle your awful relationship while you both sit here for eternity." Madelyn snorted and turned away toward the door again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta didn't react, but watched as Madelyn left. They were clearly still very angry. After a moment, they turned back to Kallum. "Kallum. You were trying to protect me from her?" (edited)

9:22 PM

@soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum had had no idea what the fuck they were talking about, only recognising the name Roman. The one that had made Naiyta angry in the first place. He didn't want to judge but, well, with that tendril freak as well, Naiyta did seem to hold strange company. But not him though. As Naiyta turned back to him, he let the fire pull back into his skin and he nodded to them. "I was ready to, if I had to." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's brows lifted. "You would never have needed to. She cannot harm me- but it is good that you reacted in that way. I want you prepared to die for me. Understood?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

That was what he was supposed to do; die for a greater purpose. He thought he'd lost that, his entire reason for being, but he'd been brought to a different one. So of course, he nodded. "Yes, my Lord." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good. Good." Naiyta nodded, and turned their information back to Kallum. They looked as if they were thinking. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stood behind Naiyta, eyeing the door. "What... was that thing?" He eventually asked, tentative, unsure if he should even ask. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"A ghost. One that wasn't supposed to be here." Naiyta said plainly, but was slightly irritated by the question. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Oh." Kallum looked to Naiyta, then back at the door. "It said I was its brother. Another liar?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. Another liar." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded in agreement with Naiyta. Yay. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta exhaled heavily, and let their gaze drift from Kallum. "I'm still very angry, Kallum." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"I'm sorry, my Lord." He stepped closer, his hand high with flame for them. He reached out but didn't initiate touch. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta flinched away from Kallum, uncharacteristically not into the fire. "Don't touch me." It snapped. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum's arm snapped back into place by his side. "I'm sorry." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta pointed towards the door. "Get out. Now." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum blinked, stunned, but nodded. He righted his clothes and walked to the door, leaving as told to. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sharp, cold anger drove Kairas forth- blinding her in a way nothing else could. She had seen all that had happened- all of it. And she knew what she needed to do. Devotion coursed through her like blood in her veins, driving her forward. Once she reached the Great Door, she took only a breath to prepare herself before banging on it’s surface. “Naiyta! Open up! I know you’re in there!” Such insubordination, from their most loyal follower. Naiyta was likely not expecting this. But it should’ve been. It thought there was nothing she was more loyal to than the Lifebringer. Like in many things, in this it was mistaken. What a fool. It had even tasked her to protect them. And protect them, she would. As the door slowly opened, Kairas readied an arrow in her longbow, pulling the string back as far as her developed shoulder muscles would allow. She was Corvi, and it was said that Corvi made the best archers (the muscles in the shoulders and back developed for flight conveniently also aided in ranged fighting). She did not know much about her past- so much of it lost to a blur of memory- but she knew that. It was why she felt so comfortable with a bow in her hands, despite how off it felt. The door unfurled, and the moment she had a clean sightline to Naiyta- all proud and dainty up on their dais- she released her arrow. It went whizzing through the air for only a second before embedding itself into Naiyta’s shoulder. They must’ve moved slightly when they saw her- she’d been aiming for their heart. What a curious thing it was, to see the Lifebringer bleed. Gold and shimmering- almost nonhuman. Kairas readied another arrow and pulled her bow back as she entered the chamber cautiously. “WH- Kairas!” Naiyta wretched the arrow from their shoulder, and examined it for a mere second before discarding it callously in the water. The wound on their shoulder was already mending. “What is the meaning of this?” Kairas aimed their next arrow towards Naiyta’s neck. “I know what you did to Reagan.” Naiyta’s cool gaze darkened. They let out a tired scoff. “Really? I didn’t know every single person in this citadel was so attacked to Reagan fucking Alizaydyeiren!” The name it gave them. Kairas and Reagan both knew the other called themselves by false names- but had never shared their true ones. “You told me to protect them. ‘The weakling they are’, you said. That’s what I’m doing.” “Like I meant you to protect them against me? I was-”

4:06 PM

Kairas cut them off with an arrow to their voicebox. Naiyta gasped, choked and gurgled for a moment, before it gained composure enough to pull the arrow from their neck and repair the damage. “Restrain her-” It commanded weakly while its throat was still mending. Kairas knew the attendants were there- she could see them even as they hid in the shadows. And she was no stranger to the forces she commanded being used against her. A squad of four attendants came up to her, two taking her arms and the others standing guard around her, in case she tried to fly. One took away her bow, but they left her the quiver of arrows. Naiyta gained compsure in seconds, as if Kairas’s arrow had never landed in a place so vital to a mortal. “I brought you here because of your loyalty, Kairas.” It frowned. “I had no idea that loyalty was so... misplaced.” Kairas met its gaze, unmasked, with every eye of her Allsight. “Fuck you. You shouldn’t have hurt them if you wanted me docile. I thought a God as powerful as yourself would be all-knowing.” “I thought a Watcher as loyal as yourself would have common sense.” Naiyta spat back. Watcher. A title so foreign to her amnesia-addled mind, but so familiar. Yes. She was a Watcher. The Watcher. Naiyta was wrong about so many things, but they were right about that. “You maimed them. For no reason. Are they not submissive enough for your liking?” She spat. Naiyta scoffed again. “Kairas, ever the observant. I know you’ve seen through me before. You’re all pawns in my game, Reagan no less. I was simply using them as anyone would use a tool- to get what I wanted.” It sneered down at her. “But you, Kairas... you actually have done something to provoke my temper.” Through a wordless command, Naiyta ordered the attendants to attack. The one holding Kairas’s left arm bent it sharply backwards. She could feel the bones in her arm snap and crack at the pressure. Pain flashed through her human eyes, clouding her Allsight with white sparks of shock and pain. She screamed, but bit it back when she realized that would be giving Naiyta what it wanted. Her fragiler, brittler Corvi bones crumpled under the pressure placed by the attendants. The attendants let her go after that- what threat was she, when she could not shoot? She grasped at her broken arm and glared up at Naiyta, biting back the insults forming on her tongue. “Have you learned your lesson now, Kairas?” Yes. She had learned how much pain she would have to endure for two arrow’s worth of revenge. She could now adequately prepare her actual plans of rebellion. “Of course, your holiness.” Try as she might, she couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice. Naiyta noticed it, but only furrowed its brow. “Take her away. I want no more visitors for the rest of the night.” The attendants, of course, obliged- taking Kairas by the arms and dragging her towards the door. She kept her eyes on Naiyta as she was taken away, even as the door was closed between them, and looked on them not with fear or remorse, but intense rage. They were a fool to ever think her docile.

Naiyta led Roman and Kyrie into the immersion chamber- or, at least, the place the immersion chamber usually was. It bared little resemblence to its usual appearance- instead of the vast pool and lack of decoration, the area seemed cozier- with wooden walls, hand-carved furniture, and plush rugs on the floor. The air was thick with incense. Kyrie bristled as she entered, but kept Roman steady. She set him down on the rug as Naiyta indicated to, and sat beside him. "How very lucky I am, to have both of you here tonight..." Naiyta hummed. They began disrobing, pulling their white tunic off to display their pale body fully. "I'm so very excited." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Huh. Roman blinked as he glanced around the new room, especially trying to keep his eye out for his jacket, on the net-zero chance that Naiyta had decided to just put it somewhere in this room. As Kyrie set him down, he did his best to stay sitting instead of falling flat on his back. He made no move to undress himself. "Uhm.. my lord.." Roman said quietly. "I'm not- I can't be i-involved with both you and Kyrie. I am only here to please you, I.. I don't want to get involved with another. I-I would be happy to watch and observe you, though.." That wasn't the true reason, but.. It was hopefully something more tolerable to Naiyta than what his true thoughts were. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta, now naked, walked across the room so Kyrie sat between Roman and it. "Hmph. I would not have brought you both here if I didn't want you both here. It would, in fact, displease me a great deal if you were not to comply." Their brow furrowed. Kyrie was staring into the distance, up until when Naiyta acknowledged her. "Kyrie, would you be so kind as to help Raikal out of their clothes?" She turned to Roman, and with her back to Naiyta, mouthed a silent 'sorry' as she began to slowly disrobe him, avoiding eye contact all the while. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Under any other circumstances, Roman probably would have found this very hot. A sexy buff bird lady undressing him right before a threesome? Hell yeah! But oh man, he felt absolutely sick to his stomach. He took in a sharp breath as Kyrie began undressing him, and he also looked away. Away from both of them. Most of his body hair had grown back patchily, and he had not taken a genuine shower or bath in a while besides that 'soak' with Naiyta that was just sitting in water for a few minutes and then getting back out. The product in his hair was old by this point, and just gave it a greasy appearance. "If it is really what you want." Roman said in a shaky tone. "But I won't penetrate her, I- I really will not. You two can do whatever you please with me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie's hands worked swift over Roman, never lingering in one place for long. She was making an effort to touch his body as little as possible. As Kyrie leaned over Roman, Naiyta pressed their chest to her back, running its hands over her feathers and resting its head in the crook of her shoulder. They moved their hands under Kyrie's skirt, but did not yet begin taking it off. She visibly tensed. "Oh, I had something different planned..." Naiyta drawled out as they ran their hands over Kyrie's thighs. "How would you feel about those roles being reversed? And how would you feel about that, little crowling?" Kyrie didn't reply, and turned her face away from Naiyta. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This was awful. ".. Wh-what do you mean by that?" Roman asked nervously. His usual role was being submissive.. So he really hoped now wasn't the time Naiyta wanted to change that.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well," Naiyta smiled, "How would you feel about her being the one to penetrate you? You did mention wanting to, ah, expiriment with modifying yourself. I think it might be fun." As they spoke, they swiftly undressed, Kyrie, leaving her completely bare. She looked viscerally uncomfortable. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This was not how he wanted to explore this! "Well she never agreed to do the same modifications so I'm not sure it would work-.." Roman paused as he saw her nude out of the corner of his eye. Ah. Seems like she didn't need anything done for it to work. He didn't know what to say. Clearly Kyrie was not a fan of the idea.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"She doesn't need it." Naiyta draped their arms over Kyrie's chest, then turned to whisper in her ear, loud enough for Roman to hear too. "No... you're big enough to fill him up entirely, aren't you? I'll make him nice and tight for you. You'll like that, won't you, my sweet?" (very explicit nsfw language eughhhhh) Kyrie kept her eyes firmly shut, and flinched away from Naiyta. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's eyes widened as he heard Naiyta speak. None of that sounded appealing whatsoever! "N-naiyta, I don't think she wants to do this.." Roman said gently, and subconsciously held his legs closed tighter. "She's our guest, wh-why don't we ask her what she wants to do..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"She and I made a deal." Naiyta shrugged. "You're indebted to me, aren't you, my songbird?" Kyrie kept her gaze away from both Roman and Naiyta, but muttered the first words she had spoken since before her fight. "I- I don't want to be... on top. Please." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Seems like neither of them did. And there was no way Roman would be able to hold himself up to get on top.. Not even just mentally, physically. "I can hardly sit up, I-i can't either." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Maybe they would all reach such an impasse there'd be no choice but to all go home! Kyrie seriously doubted that would happen. "Why don't you have some of her blood, then? To sustain yourself?" Naiyta suggested. Kyrie looked like she hated that idea even more. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-it would take a while to be effective on an empty stomach.." Roman said. "At least an hour, if not two.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm." Naiyta frowned, clearly displeased by this turn of events. Their tone grew sterner, and they moved a hand to her neck. "Kyrie, I understand you do not want to be indebted to me any more. I can arrange that, if you do as I say. If you serve me well." "I-" Kyrie startled, and found herself glancing to Roman for help. "I don't know..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Shit. What was he supposed to do here? If he only had a mental block to get passed, he would have done it. He had ridden on top before, and he did enjoy it (mostly because Roque was the one beneath him), but the.. The new anatomy was also an unknown he wasn't sure about. But he needed to help, somehow. He wanted to keep this as least traumatizing as possible.. "I-if I get some help from my powers, I-i may be able to do it." Roman finally said. "I-i just didn't think you'd want me to bring out my blood creature, it.. U-usually freaks people out. But it can help me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie grimaced at the mention of a 'blood creature', and Naiyta frowned. "That will be unnecessary. I will help you myself. And, besides, I'd like to get involved." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... okay. No on the blood creature then. He thought it was a good idea! .. but Naiyta being the one to 'help' him wasn't great. He wanted the blood so he could control it, no doubt Naiyta would just do whatever they wanted to make it hurt as much as possible.. "A-alright.. that works too.." Roman said quietly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta smiled, and drew away from Kyrie. "Sit up, songbird. You'll hold Raikal still while I fix his anatomy. Wings up." Kyrie hesitiantly drew to a more upright sitting position, and extended her wings out, hovering them awkwardly at her sides. Meanwhile, Naiyta picked up Roman and repositioned him in Kyrie's lap. "Try not to squirm too much." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Saying he needed to be held still seemed like a warning it would hurt, or at least be extremely uncomfortable. He tried to get as comfortable as he could in Kyrie's lap, and squeezed his eyes closed.. "Wait-" Roman said and opened up his eyes again. He kept his legs closed for now. Surely he had some understandable protest here, something smart enough to stop Naiyta.. "What's.. um.. gonna happen with the piercings I have down here..?" Which may have been a genuine concern, he did have a number of rings and studs in place.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie wrapped her arms around Roman's chest. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it." Naiyta smiled, and put their hands to Roman's genetalia. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Not promising. He slowly let his legs separate, and closed his eyes. He moved his hands up to grip on to Kyrie's arms and took in a few deep breaths. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

... well the process wasn't very painful, but it was definitely uncomfortable. And not pleasant at all. Kyrie held Roman firm, but was clearly tense herself. Naiyta worked diligently, but it wasn't the shortest magical operation that had ever been performed. Even after, Naiyta kept its hands on Roman, admiring its work. "Mhm. You're so pretty now." It looked up to Kyrie only briefly. "Don't you agree, songbird?" Kyrie didn't reply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman found himself holding his breath quite a lot, purely out of discomfort. He wanted to move so badly, but he knew this was a delicate procedure and the last thing he wanted was for it to be interrupted. He was mostly surprised that Naiyta had successfully gotten the piercings to move to their logical counterparts, he half expected Naiyta to just rip them off or something. He just made a small noise that may have been discontent, and kept his eyes closed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Let's get you two in proper position. I'd hate to keep you waiting too long." Naiyta smiled, and helped Roman up again. "On your back." It instructed Kyrie, and when she hesitantly laid down, it lowered Roman down over her so that he was straddling her. She shifted uncomfortably beneath him, and kept her eyes closed, pretending she was somewhere else. Naiyta kept Roman upright, holding him steadily from the armpits. From this position, they'd be able to control the pace at which he moved. "Are you ready?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

His legs may have been on either side, but they really weren't able to do much supporting. He was entirely reliant on Naiyta holding him. Roman grabbed on to Naiyta's arms and nervously looked beneath him. This had not been scary in a number of years, but he had no clue what to expect. Under different circumstances, and where he could control the pace, he may have found it exciting.. but not here. "Pl-please just be slow, I-i don't really know.. how to do this." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie was avoiding looking at Roman- her eyes firmly shut, her hands in tight fists by her side. "I'm- I'm ready.." She managed. Better to get over it quickly than to have to endure any of this any longer. Naiyta leaned down to purr in Roman's ear. "Don't worry. I'll lead you through it the entire way..." .... True to their word, Naiyta set a slow and gentle pace- at least at first. Their movements of Roman grew quicker and rougher exponentially, and |Kyrie was left was left writhing and crying out from it all. Only once both Roman and Kyrie had been spent did Naiyta let them rest, laying Roman out on top of Kyrie so his back was on her chest, her wings splayed out beneath them both. Kyrie idly toyed with Roman's hair, not knowing what to do next that wouldn't get her in trouble. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well. That certainly was different. It hurt, a lot at first, and then he started to get used to it. He wasn't really sure what it was supposed to feel like- Roque had been quick to tell him what to do and what not to do, and she wouldn't have done it like this. He was just settling when Naiyta upped the speed, and then it started hurting all over again. Maybe even worse this time. He grit his teeth and whimpered, digging his nails in to Naiyta's arms for only a moment before releasing. Some tears slipped down his face, but he tried his best to not make it obvious to Kyrie. He didn't need her to be any more upset. Once they were done, Roman was left overall unsatisfied for a multitude of reasons. Weren't girls supposed to get multiple orgasms? He didn't even have one! What the hell! 'I guess that's why Roque would get so pissed off.. this is awful.' 'Wait. I can't get pregnant from this right? No- even if Naiyta gave me all the pieces, my powers would still make me infertile, right?' Roman certainly had a lot of thoughts about it, and none of them were positive. He numbly laid on top of Kyrie, trying to keep his sniffles quiet but failing miserably since their faces were right next to each other. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta watched them both intently. They'd exprienced almost nothing physical- but still wound up looking the most satisfied out of the three. "The wings suit you, you know." Naiyta hummed. "You almost look like a full corvi." Kyrie's hands, even her breathing, stilled. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Hm? ".. Kyrie isn't full corvi?" Roman asked, not really getting the point. It seemed to have an effect on her at least- so it must not have been a very nice thing to say. "W-well even if she's not, she um.. seems fine to me.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No, I was talking about you." Naiyta corrected. "You're only half. Your father was human, wasn't he?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

' ..... ?????? ch_british

' "... Uh. Yeah. And my mom too." Roman said. "I-i don't really like talking about my parents right after I had sex, can we please talk about anything else?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. Your mother wasn't." Naiyta corrected. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I said I don't want to talk about this right now." Roman said, with an uncharacteristic amount of annoyance. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Suit yourself." Naiyta shrugged. "I suppose you'll just have to go without knowing the truth, then." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Roman huffed. "What could you know about my truth, I don't even remember them that well.. I-i don't care if you make yourself think I'm corvi or wh-whatever, but you don't get to drag my parents in to it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not lying to you, Roman. Your mother was a corvi rook." Naiyta shrugged simply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Calling him Roman here again, huh? ".. that seems like it's pretty convenient to how you want to think of me." Roman said. "Do you even have any proof? Kyrie said I don't look like I'm even half corvi.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie shifted uncomfortably beneath Roman. "You don't have to believe me, Roman. It makes my life easier if you do, but..." It shrugged. "We both know I'm going to get what I want either way. There's no use dancing around it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was growing increasingly irritated. He could handle discussions of torture, murder, assault, basically anything.. But his parents, his family, had always been something he kept to himself. He recalled so little about them, he didn't want to get what he did know all confused and filled with lies. With what little strength he had, he rolled off of Kyrie and on to his knees. "I-if it's not true, then just don't talk about them!" Roman snapped, looking straight down at the ground. "I don't care wh-what awful things you do to me, just- never bring them up ever again!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Once Roman was off her, Kyrie wrapped her wings around her and curled up. "Roman, do you understand what I'm giving you?" Naiyta scoffed. "I'd thought you'd be pleased I was taking an interest in 'the real you'." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Ohohohooo, using that against him, huh? "Y-you only care about that 'part of me' because i-it plays in to your fetish!" Roman shook his head, gripping on to his hair. "Y-you don't care about my powers, or my music, or my writing, y-you just want to get off on me being a bird! I-i'm not going to let you!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You're not going to let me?" Naiyta scoffed. "As if you have any sway over what I do." This entire conversation was very uncomfortable, especially for Kyrie. While Roman and Naiyta were arguing, she slowly moved to pick up her robe, belt and talisman from the floor. She waited for a lull in the conversation before daring. "Can I leave?" Naiyta scoffed. "Fine. Whatever. Sure." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... um. Have a good night." Roman said, suddenly shifting his tone to something a bit more friendly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie took a moment to redress herself- she couldn't find her sandals, but that wasn't her biggest priority right now. She went to the door, which Naiyta opened for her, and left without another word. Naiyta turned back to Roman. "Well?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't say anything else. He realized in his moment of silence he had kind of talked himself in to a corner. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you have nothing more to say, then I'm fine." It shrugged. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. You haven't denied the thing I said about only caring about me because of corvi things.." Roman mumbled. "Y-you promised you'd try.. back when y-you gave me the clothes. But now all you want to talk about is how I might be half bird, or whatever.. that's not me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta rolled their eyes. "I didn't see any reason to deny it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman took in a deep breath through his nose. "Well if you want to lie to me to my face, you might need to get better at it. Because it's getting obvious." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not lying. Not about this." Naiyta maintained. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman glared at the ground. "That's an especially stupid one to try to keep pushing. Maybe I could believe I'm one fourth corvi, but.. I-i was five when my parents died, I know that neither of them were! And how would you even know?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The same way I know what you all like to eat. What your powers are. What you all fear." Naiyta took a step nearer him. "I'm God." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-if you really knew something I don't, you'd show me." He twisted his head just so he could glare up at Naiyta. "A God wouldn't need to make baseless claims when they can back it up." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You want proof? Then tell me, what could I do to prove this to you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"If I'm half corvi, I should look like it, shouldn't I? And no, it's not the ears, Roque did that." Roman said. His ears had been a little pointy before Roque had altered them, which was her inspiration, but definitely not nearly as extreme. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Most half corvi look human. Anore was able to hide his heritage for his entire life." Naiyta shrugged. "And on your back..." It stepped around him, and ran its hands up the bony ridges on his back. "These are where your wings would be." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Naiyta's touch made him shiver, especially since it was just touching bone. .. but that was strange, wasn't it? Wouldn't Kyrie have said something when he was literally laying on top of her? Or when she saw his back? "Urgh- how could my mom even be corvi?" Roman asked. "Aren't they only in the Loucari? Not Ninjago? It doesn't make any sense." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They're mostly in the Loucari. But... from what I can tell from Kyrie's situation... many have fled. Your mother, likely among them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He didn't know any of this. How, why didn't he know? This was his life! "I don't understand how you can know when I don't. Did you know just when you saw my back, or before I even got here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Does it matter?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yes. It does. A lot." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I noticed it when I saw your back, and decided to look more into your background." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

So it wasn't inevitable. If he didn't go and see Naiyta that first night, maybe he wouldn't be in this situation.. "Wh-what did you look in to? Did you see her?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Your past. Time doesn't move at a linear rate here, so it's easy to take a peek like that." Naiyta shrugged. "I did see her." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wh-what was she like?" Roman asked quietly. His memory of his parents were incredibly fuzzy, especially his mother. Even when they were alive, they were frequently too busy with work to be with him. He knew the daycare better than his own childhood home in his mind. He had his grandfather to look to to get some idea of what his dad looked like, but absolutely no one for his mother. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Fair skin, dark wavy hair. From what I could tell, she seemed... kind. People seemed to like her alot." Naiyta went on. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, that was basically what he knew. Nothing groundbreaking there. "Do I.. look like her?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"In some ways. You take after her and your father equally, I'd say." It hummed. "Do you know what happened to her?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, his grandpa had always went on about how he looked nothing like his son, but maybe he was biased. "I told you before, my parents died when I was little. I-i just know it was a work accident- something exploded.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They didn't die." Naiyta said. "They ran away." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's gut reaction was to laugh at that, but after that.. he fell silent. ".. y-you can't know that. They're dead, everyone said so." Roman said. ".. th-they wouldn't have left me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They faked it and ran away. Apparently life in your village was just... too difficult with them. I don't think your grandfather was ever too fond of your mother...." it sighed. "Family can be so cruel." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You're lying." Roman said, with much less conviction than he had before. But the thing about his grandpa hating his mom was true, he told him that all the time. "Th-they would have taken me w-with them. If it was so hard for them, they.. they sh-should have known it would be even h-harder for me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"Like I said," Naiyta shrugged. "Family can be cruel." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman curled in on himself, and just.. cried. And sobbed loudly. He didn't know what else to do as he sat naked and used on the floor here. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta watched, judging, as Roman sobbed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He continued on for quite a while.... Until he finally spoke again. (SUICIDAL THOUGTHS) "N-Naiyta.. I c-can't do this anymore.. I would rather b-be dead.." He said between his sobs, harshly combing his fingers through his hair in a failing attempt to calm down. "Y-you should just kill me now. L-like how you do it with the losers.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No." Naiyta said simply. "Your time will come. When I decide it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-if you don't do it, I'll do it. I can't k-keep suffering every day.." He shook his head, but kept it pressed up to the floor. "Th-there's no one alive in the world th-that ever loved me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I won't let you." Naiyta said, plainly and simply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Y-you can't stop me. M-maybe I'll just go to my blood dimension and starve there, w-wouldn't take much. I-I'll probably starve to death overnight here anyway, every single day I'm worse off than the last." Roman slowly removed his hands from his hair, and placed them on the floor. "Y-you can't stop me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta crouched down in front of Roman. "Then I'll take away your powers. I own you. You aren't getting away from me that easily." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Fuck. He shouldn't have said that. "Y-you can't take them from me, th-they're even more imbedded in to me than the corvi half. They are me." Roman said, with the slightest growl in his tone. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can, and if I need to, I assure you that I will." Naiyta said, their tone growing dark. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It would be simpler just to st-starve myself here, anyway. My blood dimension satiates me while I-I'm inside." Roman said and finally lifted his head off the floor, with extreme effort. "Y-you- you can't make me get more blood, or eat, I-I just have to wait you out." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't think you understand the scope of my power here, Roman. If I don't want you to die, you won't die." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman growled again, this time much deeper. He lunged forward toward Naiyta, but only managed to spring a few inches forward and come crashing down on his bony shoulder. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stood up and stepped back. "I am warning you once, Roman. You do not want to test my wrath." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"I-I just want to stop hurting, Naiyta. A-and you've done nothing but hurt me." Roman said coldly and tried to push himself up as well. He couldn't even get up from the floor before he collapsed again. "I-I have absolutely nothing to live for." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't know how I can spell this out more clearly for you, Roman. I am giving you a purpose. I am handing it to you on a silver platter." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"A-a purpose for what? Serving you? Letting you pick out when the best time for me to die is?" Roman asked. "B-because, to me, it feels like th-the only interest you've had in me is when you can th-think about how else, and now with who else, y-you can fuck me with against my will." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I am the Lifebringer. You should be honored to receive my favor." Naiyta retorted. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-I hardly even knew what the Lifebringer was before I got taken here, man." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Now you do. You at least know enough to know that I'm better than you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Better? Ehhhhh.. Roman was pretty sure he was at least a bit less hated than them.. And he definitely had some other snarky things to say, but contained himself, just to hopefully keep Reagan off that plinth. So he just went silent. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta fell silent as well, but didn't break eye contact with Roman. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, Roman just stared back. His white diamond shaped pupils looked just as obnoxious as ever against his dark red eyes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's brow furrowed, but they said nothing. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I want to go now." Roman said, after the two stared for an uncomfortable amount of time. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's fine by me." Naiyta said coldly. The door opened for Roman. "You have served me well tonight, Raikal." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Eugh. Back to that. "I-i can't walk out on my own." Roman said, still laying flat on the floor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta sighed, and helped him into a sitting position. It redressed Roman carefully, back in Raikal's clothes. They scooped him into their arms after. "I really need to get some fat on you. I was hoping to do things the natural way, but I may have to intervene." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had grown used to this outfit by now, and wouldn't admit it but did find it pretty comfy. Slight problem now with the underwear not fitting quite right, but it wasn't too big of a deal. "What's the.. unnatural way..?" Roman asked, laying mostly limp in Naiyta's arms. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Modifying your body with my powers." Naiyta said casually. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Woopdidoo, nothing new. ".. would that hurt?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You'd likely feel sick for a while." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"If you did just a little before I go to bed, would I still feel sick in the morning?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Moderation would lessen the effects, yes." Naiyta nodded. With Roman in their arms, they had all the contact they needed to initiate the magic. Roman would endure a few nauseating seconds as Naiyta developed the fat in his body, and would be nauseous and generally weird-feeling after it stopped. "I've also altered your hormones a bit to slow down your metabolism. That should help with keeping the weight on." It hummed. "Someone will carry you down the mountain and back to your room. We can't have you burning all this off just yet, can we?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Eugh. His head felt like it was spinning as he tried to keep it upright on his own. He leaned against Naiyta, resting his head between their shoulder and neck. And he hated to ask, but.. "I-i still need my blood tonight.. c-can they get me that too?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded. "I'll have them give you some." They carried him to the door, where they handed him off to a muscular bird-side guard. "Give him some of your blood once you return to his room." Naiyta instructed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman moved to the same position with this guard to try to help with his nausea. Still felt like he might throw up on the way down the mountain if he got jostled too much.. He didn't say anything and closed his eyes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman moved to the same position with this guard to try to help with his nausea. Still felt like he might throw up on the way down the mountain if he got jostled too much.. He didn't say anything and closed his eyes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant held him steady- as steadily as they could- and carried him out of the temple and down the mountain....

Naiyta led Roman all the way up to the acropolis. They'd quickly found a guard (who was not Teya) to carry Roman up, and the attendant left only when they were at the great door. "I'm so happy you've agreed to this, my blackbird." Naiyta hummed as they re-linked their arms. The immersion chamber was back to normal, save for a small, low bench on the stage in the water. "Take your clothes off." Naiyta ordered as soon as they were inside the chamber, already heading to the plinth. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmm.. I think we'll both see some benefit from it.." Roman said. .. eugh, back to this. He hadn't put his clothes on very well in the first place, so it didn't take long to get them off. He held it all in a bundle in his arms. "Where do you want the clothes?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Rest them on the poolside." Naiyta said, pointing to an area close to the wall and away from the water. "And come up here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stepped to the wall and neatly folded up all the garments before trudging through the water. He wasn't shivering nearly as bad as he used to, but he still found this pretty miserable. Regardless of how he felt about it, he eventually made his way to the stairs and climbed up to Naiyta's side. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta guided Roman over to the stone bench and laid him down on his stomach. "I'm going to tie you down while I work. It'll be safer for you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Uh oh. His shivering got quite intense as his entire front side made contact with the cold stone. "C-could I maybe lay on something comfier and.. not as freezing as this rock?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Fine." Naiyta shrugged. A warm rug suddenly appeared beneath Roman but on top of the bench, and the temperature in the chamber as a whole eased to be slightly warmer and more comfortable. Naiyta began tying Roman's wrists and ankles down, restricting his movement a great deal. At least he wouldn't be falling off anytime soon. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Mm, slightly more comfy. What was not a comfy were the restraints. He didn't complain, but it seemed a bit extreme.. "If you're so concerned about me moving, why not just put me to sleep..?" Roman asked as Naiyta was tying his ankles down. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's not as exciting, is it?" Naiyta replied. Once Roman was properly restrained, Naiyta stepped back to retrieve a knife. "Are you ready?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-i don't really think it matters if it's exciting, just if it gets done.." Roman weakly protested, but he knew he had absolutely no power to do anything from this position. He tensed as he saw the knife. "What's the knife for, my lord..? I figured you'd just-.. touch me and they'd grow in, like how the fat does.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I need to break open your wing ridges so I can work with what vestigal bone and muscle you have." Naiyta explained, climbing over Roman in a position that was more intimate than it wasn't, "That'll be easier than growing them from nothing. Your wings are more... complicated structures, they require more care." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman tried to turn his head even more sideways to watch Naiyta, but it got painful to keep his head in that position for more than a few moments. "Y-you can't just do that with your powers..? It sounds really painful to stab a knife through my bones.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The skin would split open anyways. Trust me, this is the least painful way." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He wasn't very inclined to trust them here. Considering they said he should be awake to make it more 'exciting'. "A-alright, just get on with it." Roman squeezed his eyes shut and tensed against the restraints. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta created long, deep, parallel incisions along the tops of each of Roman's wing ridges, then set down the knife. The pain was far from over, though- they reached their hand into each of the incisions and started pulling out the masses of bloody, under-developed bone and muscle that were Roman's vestigial wings. Roman would start feeling pain in body parts he didn't even know he had. "Hm. Less than I would've hoped for." Naiyta admitted. "But I can work with this." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The initial incisions didn't hurt that bad, flesh wounds never really did anymore.. he only squirmed slightly and grit his teeth. But as soon as Naiyta reached in, he gasped and pulled against the restrains with all his might. He pathetically squirmed under Naiyta, but could hardly even do that. Tears and drool dripped down on to the rug as Naiyta pulled at the muscles. This was about on par with what he felt getting his stomach taken out- but Naiyta wasn't fucking him at the same time to help distract him. All he could focus on was the pain. And it was too much. "Eheghhh-" Roman took in a wheezy breath. "St-stop.. please.. I-i don't- I don't want this anymore." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Raikal, we can't stop now." Naiyta chided. "I know you can't see yourself right now, but it's not very pretty. And besides, you're almost through the worst part." They pulled his wings out as far as they would go. "Hm. Not even any feather development..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman screamed as Naiyta extended them, and it quickly developed in to pathetic sobbing as he kept trying to pull at the restraints to no effect. "G-get off! Off! St-stop!" Roman protested through his tears. "Kn-knock me out, please!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Shhh...." Naiyta placed a hand to the center of Roman's back, and began numbing the pain- though it'd also dull some now that they weren't manhandling his limbs anymore. It did not knock him out. "You're doing well. Very, very well." It moved its other hand to his left wing, and slowly began growing it. Slowly, Roman's vestigial wing would double in size- then triple, til it extended to about twice the length of his arm. Keratin-encased pin feathers sprouted from his flesh. The process wasn't pleasant by any means, but it was more akin to when Naiyta had regrown his hand after eating it, or when they'd fixed his finger. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's sobs and screams did not quiet, even after Naiyta somewhat numbed the pain. As soon as it was possible, the new wing fluttered violently, as it was the only part of him that could do so. It wasn't especially strong, but it did whack against Naiyta a few times. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shifted positions to a spot where they weren't as in range of whacking distance, and did the same to Roman's other wing. They stepped back after both wings had been fully grown out, and admired their work. "It's done now." They said, raising their voice over Roman's sobs. "Would you like me to release you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Once Naiyta had gotten off, the wings just twitched pathetically. It seemed like maybe Roman had been controlling them, at least partially. He was still yanking against the restraints, and couldn't bring himself to speak, so he just frantically nodded his head. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta picked up the knife again and cut away the restraints. Once Roman was free, they helped him up to a sitting position, positioning his wings in a way that wouldn't hurt him. "How do you feel?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As soon as each limb was released, he yanked it back toward his body until he could curl up in to one tight ball. That didn't last long before Naiyta moved him again. "A-awful, you fucking dick!" Roman yelled, and attempted to shove it away from him. "Y-you lied, that hurt a lot!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shrugged, and stayed put. "It's over now. And I can ease any pain you're still feeling." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't care th-that I'm not hurting now, you didn't care when I begged you to stop!" Roman yelled again and stood up. He went to shove them again, from a better angle, but tripped on a bit of water one of them had dragged up there. He fell, and hit his side and right wing on the side of the stone bench, which only made him yell out in pain again. He didn't even try to get up, this was pretty embarrassing. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I couldn't leave you in such a half-formed state." Naiyta argued, but moved to help Roman up. "You're going to have to be more concious in how you move now. You've gained a large part of your body you didn't have before." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Yeah, those damn wings were heavy. Especially with all that junk covering his feathers- what even was that? "Y-you could have knocked me out! Like I asked!" Roman said, again. "Did you get off enough on making me feel pain while you did it? I figured just seeing me with wings would be enough for you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Raikal. It's over." Naiyta chided, their brow furrowing. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman glared right back. "So you expect me to just instantly forgive you? For explicitly lying to me and keeping me conscious?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't expect anything of you." They said sternly. "I simply wish to warn you to consider your next actions. Carefully." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It made him so mad that they could threaten him without even saying a threat. Roman glared for a few more seconds with a shaking fist, before huffing and looking away. "I don't understand why you are the way you are." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I wouldn't expect you to. You don't need to understand me." Naiyta said simply. "All I require from you is your servitude." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It would be easier to serve you if you would be honest with me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Then, let's be honest." Naiyta sat down on the bench. "But you're going to have to be a little more specific. Ask me anything you wish, and I will answer." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, Roman had just meant about the pain thing, but this was a good opportunity too. He thought for a bit about what to ask. ".. Why'd you take Darcy's glasses but let Ace keep his?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ace has worse vision than Darcy does." Naiyta explained simply. "Without his glasses, Darcy can still get around and navigate his envrionement. Ace can't, so I had to let him keep his. Or else he'd walk off the cliff, or something." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Alright, that makes sense." Roman said. "What would I have to do to get Darcy's glasses back?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"He's getting his glasses back before his fight- it's required for the arena, and that will be soon." Naiyta shrugged. "So there isn't much of a point to that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Soon? He'd have to talk to Darcy soon- and not to make an offer or anything. He also highly doubted that Naiyta had any interest in that nerd.. ".. Can you see in to the real world?" Roman asked, deciding to just change the subject. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. Not right now." Naiyta shook their head. "I can only see through the regnant Lifebringer, and she, as you know, is here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wait- you see through Albanes..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"When she is in the real world, yes." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Okay, so not here.. "Could all the other Lifebringers do that too, or just you..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded. "Some do not take the interest I do in it. But yes. In more.... typical times. Not any more, of course, with the chain being broken." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The chain meaning..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The cycle of incarnation. It's not in its proper state, I told you this." Naiyta scoffed. "Because Albanes put her predecessor in the fold." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I just wanted to be sure.." Roman shrugged. 'The chain' was a vague as hell statement.. "so ever since they got put in the fold, you haven't been able to see through Albanes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded. "Nothing is working as it is meant to as long as that soul remains in the fold." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmm..." Maybe Naiyta was getting bored of being so lonely (their own fault) and seeing nothing, so hosting this tournament was the next best thing... "Did you choose the people who came here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. Not all were chosen specifically, but I did pick you all out." It nodded. "A few that I chose for specific reasons were to try and make Albanes a bit more sympathetic to the cause, or because of a few old grudges, that sort of thing. And one contestant walked willingly into my arms." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why'd you choose me?" Roman asked. ".. and who came willingly?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I thought your ties to Roque might make things interesting." Naiyta shrugged. "Kenji Himura, on the bird side. Have you met him?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. seems like no one here was a fan of Roque, I think that's all I've gotten from it.." Roman mumbled. "And no, I haven't. Why'd he want to come..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"He wanted Albanes to help with, ah, a problem he was having with his head." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh." Well, that made sense.. but surely there was an easier way to do it that didn't involve a very high chance of death. ".. you wanted me here because of my connections with Roque.. do you know if there's universes out there where we're um.. all still together?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There are universes with every kind of possibility imaginable. Such infinity is... even beyond my reach. At least while I still retain some of my mortality." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. a natural transition to this subject! He had to go for it, even if it seemed a bit awkward. He slowly sat down next to them, and placed a hand on their thigh. He nearly fell backwards off the bench, but managed to keep his balance. "Do you think it would be worth it to see all of that? Everything in existence?" Roman asked softly. "Maybe you could.. See what your life could have been like if people didn't reject you as a child, or if Raikal hadn't betrayed you.. There's so many possibilities out there." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was tense, and it didn't meet Roman's gaze. When they spoke, it was with a fearful quietness very unlike them. "It wouldn't matter. I would be able to see everything, but- I wouldn't be able to care. I don't think I would even be able to conceptualize that what I was seeing was a past version of myself. I'd loose everything." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

So they were against it. But they didn't speak of it like they'd really go full evil god or something. Roman shifted his hand from their thigh over to the hand nearest to him, and interlocked their fingers. "Ah.. yes, that does sound scary." Roman said gently. "What if I went with you? What if we went together?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta wrapped their hand tightly around Roman's. "You couldn't. You're mortal- so very, painfully mortal. Your soul wouldn't even be transformed- it'd simply be burned away entirely. And it wouldn't matter. Even if you could come with, all my care for you would be burnt away. I would stop thinking of you as anything but one of billions of insignificant, fleeting mortal lives." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He gently rubbed the back of Naiyta's hand with his thumb. "I see.. That is an issue." Roman said. "But Naiyta.. What do you gain from staying here? For thousands of years..? Are you not curious at all to what's out there?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta kept their gaze away from Roman. "Here, I am everything. Everything about this place is me- I designed it so. I am never at risk of loosing who I am here." It let out a shaky breath. "But... if I gave it up, if I assumed completely... it would all be meaningless. I wouldn't even have a self anymore, it'd just be... god." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

You don't wanna lose yourself, huh? "You care about it now, but if you went through with it.. As you said, you wouldn't care anymore. No one could ever hurt you again." Roman said and lifted their hands up so he could kiss Naiyta's. "Sometimes losing yourself doesn't hurt as much as you think it would. Sometimes.. there's not much left to begin with." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta let Roman kiss their hand, but their body was still tense. "I can't loose who I am- what I am. I don't know who I'd be if I didn't have it. I don't know what that existence would be like without hate or fear, desire or hunger. I don't think I can give it up so easily." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It would be scary, it's a whole lot of unknowns.. But Naiyta, what do you gain from being here? You made Raikal immortal to be your partner forever, and they betrayed you. And then you've just been alone, up in this empty acropolis. What kind of life is that?" "Even with me here, I'll eventually die, or in time do something to cross you. Or.. The boredom will get to you. That-.. That loneliness. I know it well." "Sometimes, when I'm alone, I feel like I'd be better off feeling nothing." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's better than oblivion." Naiyta said, their voice low with raw terror. "Anything is better than that. Please- please don't say any more about this. I can't- I don't want to let go." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Man, their will to live was kind of impressive. He didn't really know what could convince them, if a calm discussion couldn't.. Anything more aggressive would have instantly ticked them off to this being a plot against them. But no matter how much he hated them, he found it hard to use that against them here, when they were being so vulnerable.. Unless they were faking this whole fit. He didn't want to believe that. So he wouldn't! He released Naiyta's hand and instead pulled them in for a hug, awkwardly adjusting his new wings to half wrap around them as well. "I understand, Naiyta." Roman said and leaned his head against their shoulder. "I just.. Wish you would try to understand me too, sometimes. I feel so lonely, even when you're around. It makes me feel like I'd be better off dead." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta leaned into the embrace, resting their head in the crook of Roman's shoulder. They were silent for a while. "I want you to love me." It said, very softly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Was it just manipulating him again? It had done this so many times... ".. It's hard to do that when you hurt me. And others. All the time, Naiyta." Roman said, not quite as gentle as he had been before. "You can't get people to genuinely love you just by terrorizing them to a breaking point. All you gain from that is someone who lies to you, and will seek out any way to escape the moment they see it. It's what Raikal went through.. When I spoke with them, they were so excited to hear that you wanted her back.. But they still feared you. That internal conflict- it really messes with people, Yta." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was still and silent in Roman's arms for a while. Then, they began trembling, working their hands together and taking in heavier, more deliberate breaths. "I can't let you leave me. I have to make you stay, somehow. Or else you will abandon me. Like Raikal did. Like my mother did." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The more you hurt me and others, the more I try to find a way out." Roman said simply, not showing much reaction to Naiyta beginning to.... Panic? "I'm sure you've looked in to my past, and saw how Roque held me hostage for weeks before I started to like her. Maybe you think you can do the same. There's a few differences between you and her that I don't think you can appreciate. I gave you your chance for unconditional love, and you... You stomped it out every time." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"What can I do?" Naiyta asked- pleaded Roman. "What can I do to make it so you love me, no matter what? Tell me!" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Slowly, Roman leaned away from Naiyta and moved his arms back down to his lap. He looked down at them for a time, gliding his opposite thumb across his recently brought back finger. ".. I think you showed me that unconditional love shouldn't exist." Roman said and glared down at his finger. "Because if you love someone without any boundaries, they'll just keep pushing it. They'll keep hurting you. All because they know you'll come crawling back.." "You taught me that lesson, Naiyta." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta flinched away from Roman as he let them go, and kept its gaze away from him. They were visibly uneasy. "Roman..." It said, "I don't- I want to be your everything. I really, truly do. I need you to. I don't... I can't love any other way." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's wings twitched uneasily, betraying the otherwise calm demeanor he was doing his best to keep up. "Then apologize." Roman said as his hands turned to fists. "Tell me you're sorry. Tell Reagan, and Kairas, and all the attendants, and all of the other contestants that you're sorry for this. And you have to mean it." "Because- because.. That's what humanity is, Yta. It's not always staying the same, it's being able to change. You hold on to what humanity you have so, so, so hard, but all you want to do is stay the same and force everyone around you to contort themselves to your standards." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta didn't look at Roman. It kept its gaze on its own hands, awkwardly working them together. "I can't." Their voice broke. "You have to understand, I can't. It's not in the nature of the godhood I inherited to- to change. And it's too much of me now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Do you really think I'm going to believe that, Naiyta? You seem awfully open right now, that seems like a change. Seems like you just say this stuff whenever you want me to feel bad for you." Roman rolled his eyes. "Remember when I was on the couch after you gave me Raikal's clothes? And you said you'd make an effort to let me be myself? Because I remember that, and that really feels like this. Like you use vulnerability as a weapon against me." "Look at me, Naiyta." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I- I'm trying to be honest with you, Roman..." Naiyta sputtered, but fell silent. It didn't meet Roman's gaze, didn't follow his command. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You can't even look at what you've done to me. I thought you liked the new me." Roman scoffed and stood up. "If you can't even change in this one minor way, what's the point of your remaining humanity at all?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta winced, and shut its eyes. "I don't know. I don't know. I'm- I don't want to die. I'm so afraid of dying. Please-" It didn't even know what it was begging for. Forgiveness? A second chance? Roman to stop putting ten thousand years worth of doubts into plain words it had to listen to? It could continue on. Pretend like everything it said had been a lie and go back to treating Roman halfway between the concubine-whore he pretended he was, the insignificant mortal their godhood wanted him to be, and the lover they had sent up in flames. But did it want that? Naiyta wanted to be happy. Did they know what that was? @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You're afraid? Really?" Roman turned to face it again. "Have you forgotten who you're talking to? Do you think you have any right to tell me how afraid you are? You just tied me to a table and ripped limbs out of my back, the bruises are still on my hands and feet from how hard I tried to fight back! You definitely raped me two days ago! And whatever happened last night- urgh- y-you dragged Kyrie in to it! I-i tried to say I was uncomfortable, you didn't care! Th-the first night here you burned me, my biggest fear! You whipped Reagan nearly to death j-just to scare me! E-every time I try to defend myself, you threaten me that something awful will happen!" "What right do you have to be afraid?! You're God!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta winced at Roman's words. It really was all that bad, wasn’t it… Could they justify this cruelty? It was their instinct, to justify it. To make up some excuse why they were the way that they were, why they did the things that they did. It was not a creature that performed cruelty without cause- it knew that. Wasn’t that a foundational part of themself? Wasn’t that part of the humanity they so desperately clung onto? They had reasons for hosting the tournament, reasons for ruling their empire with an iron grip and scourge in hand. They could always justify it as part of some greater good- but what greater good would any of this benefit? Naiyta might’ve said, ‘it’s for the greater good, because causing pain to others makes me happy, and as God I should be happy’. Even in their head, the excuse fell apart. Roman would tear it apart (as he likely had justification of his own to). It did feel good, so good, to have someone squirming beneath it, writhing in pain they had caused, completely beholden to its will. To be the one in power, rather than the powerless. Was it wrong to chase that pleasure, to want it to overtake them completely? They wanted, and they had known this for a long time, to have someone who they could hurt in any way they wanted, and still be the object of their devotion once it was through. They had had that once, with Raikal. And they had almost had it with Roman. Something so perfect, so correctly balanced. A love so pure it filled them. But then, something had slipped. It’d pushed them too far- it’d hurt them too much. And then, it all fell apart, and Naiyta was left desperately salvaging what it once had. It was cruel. It knew that. It had known that even before Roman began listing out everything it had done to him- and that was hardly a fraction of everything it had done, ever. And they could not justify that cruelty. It knew it was cruel, and yet, for over ten thousand years it had continued on with it. They were a monster, a selfish, horrible monster who got off on causing horrible pain and controlling people’s actions and pushing them too far. Did they want to be? Was their humanity worth clinging onto, when this was what they did with it? Naiyta was afraid. They were so terribly, desperately afraid. It had never not been afraid as a child, and could not let go of the fear that still twisted in their heart now. Fear had driven them to horrible lengths, caused them to do horrible things. Fear guided them more than their rage, or their desire for pleasure or vengeance or love. But did it make it right? Regret washed over it. Naiyta was not meant to regret. If they regretted any of their actions, that meant that they had been wrong, and they couldn’t be wrong. They couldn’t. If they were truly wrong, if they had something to regret, then what was next? If it acknowledged that all its cruelty was without justification, then what could it do? They couldn’t atone. There was nothing in the world anyone could do to make up for what it had done. And for ten thousand years, it had tried desperately not to regret. But guilt wormed its way into their heart anyways. They could picture it- Raikal on the bed, Naiyta over them. He hadn’t wanted to be there. He was fighting it, pulling at the restraints it had tied him down with. She was crying, begging them not to- And then, it was them. Laying on the bed of grass, held down by weathered hands instead of rope bonds, looking up and begging for its life, its dignity. Its freedom. They did not have a justification for why they had done the things they had done. “Roman…” It whispered- or whimpered, really. Its voice was weak. “Roman, I’m… I’m sorry. I don’t even have a reason I hurt you. I’m- I’m sorry. I… I was so cruel…” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As Roman stood there, staring down at Naiyta for what felt like whatever as they thought, he was debating on if he should just go. Surely he had gone too far here, and Naiyta was thinking about what kind of awful punishment it should inflict on someone to make it even again. There's no way Roman could rant at them, and get them to change. Because surely others had tried that before, and suffered for it. He turned away and was just about to head back down the stairs when Naiyta spoke again, and he froze. That tone, it was much too weak to come from Naiyta. It was messing with him again. He took a quick step toward the stairs, but paused again as Naiyta continued. An apology? Wow, and it didn't combust or anything right after! Naiyta couldn't possibly stoop this low, and look this pathetic, just to get to him... right? "You're sorry." Roman repeated back and turned to face it again. What should he do here now? He didn't think he'd ever get this far.. ".. Y-yeah, you hurt me a few times, but I hardly think I'm the one you need to apologize most to. Kairas, Reagan.. Raikal. Th-they've all suffered for far longer and far worse than I have." ".. and you can give me back my jacket. As a show of trust." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta still avoided Roman's gaze. It's immediate reaction was to defend themself- say they had hurt Kairas and Reagan for a reason and that the reason was justifiable- but it bit back the words, knowing Roman wouldn't hear them. "I'll make things right with Reagan and Kairas." It nodded, then winced. "But- I can't face Raikal. Not- not right now. Not yet." At the mention of the jacket, it nodded and stood. "I'll get it. Now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This could not be genuine. ".. Stop messing with me, Naiyta. I know you can't change." Roman mumbled and turned away again. "What are you trying to do?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stalled near the stairs. "I'm... trying to make things right between us." It said, plainly. Its voice was still bare and weak. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why should I believe that? It's not the first time you've said you'd change for me, then went back on it." Roman said. ".. And do you really think my jacket will make up for all the stuff you've put me through? Even just in the past hour?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

".... you shouldn't, really. I've given you no precedent that I have ever told the truth. But I am trying." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I won't believe you for a long time." Roman said. ".. and I don't think anyone but me will ever believe you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took in a heavy breath, and didn't say anything. They descended the steps and walked over to the wall, which opened like a cabinet door when they neared it. It took something from inside the cabinet, and as it returned Roman would be able to tell what it was. Naiyta held his jacket out towards him. "Here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman looked between the jacket and Naiyta's face. "You're tricking me." Roman said and kept his arms crossed. "What are you going to do to me when I take that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's hands were trembling. "I don't expect you to forgive me, Roman. But.... I meant what I said." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman considered it for a few more moments, before grabbing the jacket and pulling it up over his face. He sniffed it, then moved it around and sniffed again. And again. All the way around it until he found a certain spot and inhaled extra deep. He fell down to his knees and sniffled, still holding the jacket over his face as he doubled over. "I-it hardly smells like her anymore." He sobbed, and lowered it back down. He was already in tears, but trying his best to not get any on the jacket. He slid one sleeve on and tried to put the other as well, but the back of the jacket crossed over his wings uncomfortably. He sobbed again as he laid on the floor of the plinth with one arm through his jacket and the other bare. He couldn't even wear it anymore. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta let Roman take the jacket from its hands and simply... stood there. They didn't know quite what to do. It might've been angry at some other time, but right now just felt... achingly empty. It turned its back on Roman, and began to walk away. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman took some more breaths through his sobs before he managed to speak again. "Pl-please don't leave me alone." He cried, and looked up from the floor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stalled on their descent back into the water, and looked up at Roman. "You... wish to be in my presence?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-i don't really care that it's you, I just d-don't like being in my own." Roman shook his head and pushed himself up to his feet. His jacket fell halfway off, only catching at his elbow. "That's why I kept Roque's eyes with me. A-and my bloody friends.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Naiyta nodded, and moved to sit down on the bench again. It didn't speak. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stayed standing for a time, also in silence. He finally sat back down on the floor in front of Naiyta and turned sideways. He leaned over and rested his cheek against their knee. His breath was slowly calming, and his wings finally settled behind him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta let Roman lean on it, but its gaze was distant. It still seemed deep in thought. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman also just sat there, slowly picking at the keratin surrounding his feathers.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The keratin crumbled away in his fingers, and his new feathers were able to unfurl. It felt kind of nice, though he'd occasionally reach a feather that wasn't quite developed, which would hurt as he messed with it. Naiyta watched quietly, though they didn't seem as interested and enthusiastic as they might've been. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He quickly figured out to just leave those ones alone, and moved on to the ones that were ready. He picked off most of the keratin, leaving flakes of white along the plinth and the surrounding water. Once that was done, he stretched out his left wing to look at the feathers. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

His feathers were dark and shimmery- they had a bit of a bluer iridescence than Kyrie's did. "I know you might not want to hear it," Naiyta said, "But I do think your wings look nice." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... mm." Roman mumbled, and stretched the wing out more before folding it up again. "You didn't say it in as creepy a way as you usually do." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm." Naiyta hummed slightly, and let their gaze drift away again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It was weird, to see them like this. So.. so quiet and contemplative. "Do you.. want to go cook again..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"..." Naiyta thought about it a bit. "Yes. I would." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Do you still want to.. eat me?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shifted uneasily. "Ah. Mhm. I don't... I don't think so. Not right now. Maybe.... we could make something without meat?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"If you do, I don't really mind. I.. like making other people happy with my body." Roman smiled lopsidedly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's expression shifted, and they turned away again. "I.... mhm. Hm. I'm not really in the mood for that right now. But... thank you for the offer." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Wow, not in the mood? "Alright then, we can do vegetarian." Roman said and stood up. "Do you have any dishes in mind?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Maybe... we could make juscellum." Naiyta hummed, their voice still distant. "It's a type of bread porridge. You make it with broth and old bread and eggs and herbs... it's not very hard to make." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Jus...cellum. Can't say I've ever had that. Roque definitely never asked for it.." Roman said. "But if it's what you want, we can try it. I like making new things." He looked off the edge of the plinth, toward the exit. His wings twitched slightly. ".. Do you think I'd be able to fly there?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I doubt she would have..." Naiyta said, a lightness to their tone. They stood up, and moved towards the stairs down. "Mhm. I don't know if that's the best choice... hm." It frowned at the door. "I don't know if flight comes intuitively to you corvi, or if it's something you have to learn. If it's the latter, the cliff side... probably isn't the best place to practice." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I don't think I know how to fly.. I definitely had no guesses for the moment I was falling before the thing got me." Roman said and considered jumping again for a few seconds, before figuring it best to go down the stairs with Naiyta. "Maybe I can try hopping down a bit of the mountain at a time. To glide or something." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. That's a good idea. You should also try watching how regular birds fly- maybe copying how they move their wings could help?" As Naiyta and Roman descended the stairs, a stone path rose up from the pool floor so they wouldn't have to trek through the cold water. "Or, uhm. If you want. You don't have to listen to what I say." It paused by the door. "We should get you... dressed first. Do you, uh, still... want to wear Raikal's clothes?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I never really watched birds before. Oh- thanks for the bridge, that's nice of you." Roman said and still held his wings up, hoping to keep them free of the gross water for as long as possible. "Ah.. Um... I don't really have other clothes that can accomodate my wings. Some of the traditional clothes from home I know could maybe, but to be honest, those were never really my style to begin with.. What do corvi usually wear to get around it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Corvi clothes are meant to accommodate wings, that's why they have open backs and usually have arm wraps instead of sleeves." Naiyta explained. "Raikal's shirts all have open backs, and the shawl has slits for wings. Though... I do need to fix the shawl, so I think I'll just... put it away for now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I really am sorry about damaging it, I wasn't just saying it because I was afraid of what you might do. Regardless of how you reacted, I know how important it is too you." Roman said. "It might be best if I stop wearing them, if I'm going to be learning how to fly I'm going to be falling a lot. I would just ruin them more." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I.... appreciate that." Naiyta picked up the shawl and began folding it in their arms. "Maybe... you can wear these for now, and I can get you something else soon? That you could wear while you learn how to fly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, Yta." Roman said, smiling lightly. "Something loose and flexible would be good, I would guess.. My leather band clothes wouldn't be good for it anyway." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. They probably wouldn't be." Naiyta said, and put the shawl into the wall cabinet Roman's jacket had been in. "Do you.... want me to dress you? It might be difficult with the wings." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Let me try on my own." Roman said and picked up the undergarments first. "And I.. uh.. I'm not a super big fan of my new parts. Maybe if I knew a bit more what to expect beforehand I wouldn't be so confused, but I just feel kinda uncomfortable." "But I don't want you touching me right now to change it back. Just.. sometime later." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Alright. I can... I can change you back." It looked away from Roman as he dressed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman also looked away, but occasionally glanced over at Naiyta, just to see if they had looked back yet. He got the undergarments on first and the pants with no issues (not even attempting the wraps), but took a while trying to figure out the shirt. He moved his wings every which way he could figure, but the coordination just wasn't very good yet. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hadn't looked back to Roman once- they were staring off into the distance with the same quiet contemplation as before. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This was so weird. When were they going to stop pretending and be mad at him again? It seemed like all of Naiyta's previous punishments had just been spur of the moment decisions, it scared him to think that Naiyta might be contemplating it for such a long period of time. "Ah, Yta.. could I get some help with the shirt?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, uh- yeah." Naiyta nodded, and walked up to Roman. With swift, light hands they tied the shirt onto him. "You'll want to tie it once behind your neck, and another time just below the wings so it covers your chest but not your back. Like this." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, that's how to do it.." Roman said as Naiyta tied the pieces. It was a good thing Roman had basically no belongings left, since it seemed every single one of his jackets and shirts would've needed to be altered. He held his jacket in his arms, in one big bundle. "Maybe I can try to alter my jacket.. I'd hate to throw it out, it was already custom made.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Hopefully so." Naiyta stepped away. "Jackets... generally aren't very wing-accommodating." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'd imagine they're not.. But I still get so cold all the time." Roman said. "I think I'm ready to head out now." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Alright." Naiyta nodded. The door opened, but before they stepped through it, they offered their hand from Roman to take. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stared at its hand for a moment, before finally taking it. He didn't hold on especially tight. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta intertwined their fingers as much as Roman would let it, and led him out of the chamber.... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The immersion this time was.... about the same, but without the pool. A field of grass covered where the tile floor usually was, and the open windows let in a pleasant sea breeze. Naiyta sat down on the grass. "Hm. Smart. You should go for her lower abdomen, instead of the heart." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This was much more pleasant than how it usually was.. He took in a deep breath and unwrapped the silk scarf from his hair, letting the loose curls fall over his shoulders. He stretched out his wings to absorb the warmth for a time before sitting down next to Naiyta. "The stomach area? Why?" Roman asked, positioning himself so that his dark wings were still facing the window. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The grass was soft. Naiyta moved close to Roman as he sat down next to it. "Eternity resides within her heart. Or... where her heart would be. It'd be best not to risk.... damaging it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... What would happen if he stabbed Eternity? It was very possible to kill Lifebringers.. If he stabbed her near the 'heart', would he be able to take it? If he could become in some part the Lifebringer, wouldn't he be able to go in to the Fold and fix whatever the issue was himself? "What if I took Eternity from her? Then I could fix your problem for you." Roman suggested casually. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You'd become the next Lifebringer, then." Naiyta said plainly. "I... do not think you are suited for the role. It's a commitment of centuries, to uphold the Godhood. You aren't even Loucari-born." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. What if Albanes could take it back right after I fix the Fold?" Roman asked. "Or what if I only took a piece of it, would I still become full God somehow?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"She would die only moments after Eternity was removed from her." Naiyta clarified. "We cannot live for long not supported by the Godhood. And you cannot take only a 'part' of eternity. You must take it all." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hm. Could you take eternity back? Or no because you're already dead?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shook their head. "Once the power is given- or taken- away, it can never be returned." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Yeah, I guess that plan wouldn't work." Roman said. "But why do you think I wouldn't be suited for it? I mean, you were just a normal person too, before you found that creature.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't think you have a personality suited to ruling. I don't mean it in an rude way, just... I don't think you'd enjoy it, or find yourself especially good at it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Yeah. That's probably true.." Roman mumbled. "Would anyone here be suited for it? Like- oh, isn't Darcy from the Loucari or something? I could take the powers, then after I get everything fixed, he can get them and I'll die. And then I'll be here forever, like you. That might fix his incurable disease or whatever problem too." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Darcy would not make a good Lifebringer." Naiyta laughed dryly. "And I don't think the nature of his soul would be able to handle the powers. Besides, he's Verendi. They gained independence.... some years ago." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Loucari or not-Loucari politics went way over his head. ".. Um.. Kyrie? She must be from the Loucari if she's corvi, right?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shook its head. "A full-blooded corvi lifebringer is unheard of. She might be touched by the Nightwatcher. And the people would never accept her, anyways." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The Nightwatcher. Raikal had talked a bit about that- the Corvi god that gives out powers or whatever. If that was what was in his head, Raikal would've known, right? "What does being touched by the Nightwatcher mean?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. You know Kairas's powers? She is touched by the Nightwatcher." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Oh. Hm." Roman said. "Are they always 'watching people' powers?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded. "Not all of them are as powerful as Kairas's. But yes. The corvi call them 'seers'." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Okay, blood powers had basically nothing to do with seeing anything. So it wasn't that. "That's specific." Roman said. "Are there a lot of gods out there? I only knew like.. Two-ish back home." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There are an innumerable amount of deities in the world. Some have more power than others. I only really know of... maybe ten or so others." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Innumerable... "So there can be gods out there for anything?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded. "Mhm. Yes." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wow." Roman hummed. "Do people who have powers always touched by a god? Or can there be other reasons?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's common for powers to be sourced in the divine, but it's not always the case. Reagan, for example, has powers that I do not know the origin of." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Huh." Roman said. Was that what his was? The thing that gave him his powers? Roque said she was the one who created them.. "probably enough about all that god talk. Can you knock me out while you mess with my teeth? It really hurts." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I will." Naiyta nodded. "Lay down on your back." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman smiled and did as he was told, even if it was a bit uncomfortable on his wings. "I usually just fix up my upper canines, but if you wanna get my lower too that might help." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll do what I can. It might hurt a bit and feel weird even after you wake up, but I'll try to keep you numb." Naiyta nodded, and placed their cold fingers on Roman's forehead. "Ready?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm. Thank you." Roman nodded and closed his eyes. "I'm ready." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Almost as soon as he said the words, Naiyta pulled Roman into a deep, complete, numb sleep.... When he woke, his jaw, teeth and mouth were numb and kind of achy, but not nearly as bad as they might've been if he'd been awake through it all. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman cherished the brief bit of total respite again, and groggily adjusted his jaw. He ran his tongue over his teeth, wincing just a little. Perfect. "Yeah, that's a lot better than the usual way." Roman said, slightly slurring his words. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was lying on their stomach next to Roman when he woke. "I'm glad. It should be easier for you to get blood now, yes?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"A lot easier for everyone." Roman nodded, and rolled on to his stomach as well to get off of his wings. ".. You didn't do anything else with me while I was unconscious, right?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. I just fixed your teeth." Naiyta hummed. Of course, there wasn't really any way to prove they were being honest. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Good to know. How long did that take?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Only about... twenty, thirty minutes." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wow, quick too." Roman said. "Is there an attendant you have in mind that I should go to? I do need another bit of blood tonight." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Who all have you had blood from so far? Miriam, I know..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Miriam, Teya, and one of the guys in the band from this morning. So probably anyone but those three." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

(romans actually had blood from teya and not ayomide)

1

4:33 PM

"Mhm. You know the contestants better than I do, at this point. Who do you want blood from?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ah I don't really want to take anyone's blood here.. I prefer that you choose for me." Roman said. "I dunno, it feels less mean when I don't target anyone." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I haven't been really picking so much as just... sending random people to you. I can continue doing that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. That makes more sense, yeah, you can keep that up." Roman nodded. "Hopefully this should be the last one I need." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. Hopefully so." Naiyta nodded. "Do you need it now?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I won't starve in the next hour or so, but I definitely want it done before I go to sleep, or else I'll be weak tomorrow.. Or if you're planning on a late night fight tonight, I won't be much help either." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. The next fight will be around midday tommorow." Naiyta hummed. "I was hoping... we might be able to rest some, together..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh- you- you want to sleep with me?" Roman asked, turning his head toward it. "I was planning on also getting dinner, after the blood, were you looking to go to bed right now?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I do." Naiyta nodded. Their tone was blank. "Maybe... we could eat together, and then go to sleep?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Was there some alterior motive to this? If it wanted to fuck him, he figured it would've just done whatever it wanted while he was knocked out. ".. Sure. We can do that. Flying down the mountain should be faster than going up, I think." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Will you carry me down? If you're going to fly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Carry you..? I'm not super strong.. but I guess I could try. If I'm just gonna glide down maybe it won't be so hard." Roman said. "But if you don't like walking down a mountain, can't you make it not a mountain?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'd rather go down with you." Naiyta shrugged. "But if you can't, I can walk down. I don't like to make major modifications to the Fold." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll give it a try." Roman smiled and pushed himself up to his feet. "You can change your form, right? Could you make yourself lighter?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta sat up. It shook its head. "I- no. I can't change my form, outside of how I manifest in the mortal plane. And... in that state I'm harder to carry." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Oh, yeah I'd rather not carry you but on fire.." Roman hummed. "I just figured you could, because you changed yourself before, and me too." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can modify a mortal body, but it's antithetical to my own Godhood for me to change." Naiyta shrugged and stood up. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Magicking your tits off doesn't count?" Roman asked with a little chuckle. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That was before I died. Before I came here." It sighed. "Everything's different here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I see. Well, glad you don't have any regrets I guess." Roman said."But what do you mean by everything is different here? Didn't you make this place?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I created this place as it is now- I laid out the mountains, I placed each star in its sky, I inhabited it with scenes like that I remember- but I did not write out the laws that govern it. Those came before me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Who came before you? I thought Eternity had it's own realm or whatever, why would it make this place?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well... I presume eternity did. I don't know. But I can't change the most fundamental rules of this place- or at least, not while I'm in this state." Naiyta sighed. "Which means, I can't change myself." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That sucks." Roman said and started heading over to the door. That should have been enough time for Seki and Raikal.. ".. Do you ever wish you could still change?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... it doesn't matter if I do or not." Naiyta sighed again, after a long pause. "I can't @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"Maybe you can't change up your whole body or whatever, but could you change your appearance? I could paint your nails, or cut your hair, or do your makeup.. Would that all not work somehow?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It would only be temporary. My form would revert back to its natural state, if not soon, at least eventually- or, in some cases, as soon as I washed up." It hummed. "But... temporary amusements can still be pleasing." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Wow, that sounds like a curse." Roman said. "But if you'd like, I could fix you up after we get back here. I did all the hair and makeup for the band, actually." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta began moving to the door. "Hm. I would like that. I would like to keep my hair the same..." Its hands went up to the strands that reached over its shoulders. "But... it'd be fun to do makeup, and... have you paint my nails." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I wouldn't have to cut your hair, I could just style it too, a simple bath would probably straighten it all out again with the texture you have." Roman said and waited by the door for Naiyta. "I could braid it, or curl it, or if I find some gel maybe I could give you a more slicked back kinda look?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. It does get in my eyes a lot." Naiyta toyed a bit with their bangs. "I could get you some... gel. If you tell me more about what it is." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Remoul used a lot of it, so I might have some down in my blood pit. But it's basically just like a thick liquid kinda thing? And it's tacky, and if you put it in your hair it makes it stick in the way you style it. I don't know if people did that back in your time." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahhh. Like resin." Naiyta nodded. "I'm... familiar with the concept." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Resin?" Roman frowned, very much picturing the thing people make sparkly ashtrays out of. Well, yeah he supposed that would work. Permanently. "If I can find my stuff it would be easier to work with." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. The stuff that comes from trees?" Naiyta hummed. "Hm. I suppose it would be." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"There's resin in my time, but I don't think it comes from trees. I think it's all just chemicals.." Roman said. "I'll look for it once we're back up here, I'm starving." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

'Did the structure of trees fundamentally change while I've been dead?' Thought Naiyta. "Mhm. Let's head down. I can walk if you don't feel like carrying me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll give it a shot." Roman said. "Did Raikal ever carry you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Sometimes. Especially... during the early days of our relationship. I don't weigh very much." Naiyta was mostly bones. Bones and audacity. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You'll have to show me how to hold you right then." Roman nodded. "I should have enough energy to not drop you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stepped up to Roman, and turned so their back was to his chest. "Raikal carried me with their arms around my chest, like this-" It positioned Roman's arms so they were under its own. "You can fly out the windows, if you want. It's all the same way down." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman took note of the arm positions, and nodded. "Out the window.. yeah, I can try."

9:46 PM

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I'm ready whenever you are." Naiyta said simply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The two headed over to the window, and Roman made sure his grip around Naiyta was tight. He took in a deep breath and jumped out, instantly beginning to catch air under his extended wings. They stayed clear of the rocky ground beneath, giving a view of the island surrounded by darkness resting at the base of the mountain. Roman held fairly steady, though it was more of a glide than a flight. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta tensed up once they were in the air, but it seemed more reflexive than intentional. It didn't say anything as they drifted down, but Roman would be able to feel the pounding in its chest where his arms crossed over it. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Was it really scared of heights? Why even suggest this? About halfway down their descent, Roman began flapping his wings. They first slowed down, but as he got more comfortable, the two began to rise up. And up up up up up they went, getting even higher than where the acropolis rested on the mountain. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta moved their hands up to Roman's as he began ascending rapidly. "What are you doing?" It demanded- though its voice rang and peaked with fright. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman held on to them tight, especially as they got up higher. "I figured you'd want to see everything- you've never been able to get up here past the mountain." Roman said and leveled off about a hundred feet above where the Acropolis rested. The whole island could be seen from this height, though it was getting a little dark to be able to make anything out.. And while they lingered up here, Roman let himself imagine what it would be like to drop them. To let them fall, helplessly, hundreds of feet on to jagged stone. It was just a thought, though. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta fell silent again, though their breaths and heartbeats were still heavy. It clung to Roman with all its strength and willpower. "All my creation, laid out before me..." It breathed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's beautiful from way up here." Roman said and leaned his head forward to put his chin against Naiyta's shoulder. "What was your inspiration?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you." Naiyta exhaled. "I wanted to recreate the cliffs of my homeland. The shores where I first saw the sea. It was my favorite place in the mortal world." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I can't say I've ever been to a place that looks like this." Roman said as he scanned over all the features again. "Mlipuko was definitely nothing like this, and Ninjago city was just so urban.. even when we were traveling, we basically just went to other big cities.. this place is so rustic looking." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I have no conception of what cities must be like to you. They barely existed when I was alive." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh yeah I bet." Roman said and began to move. They stayed on the same vertical level, but he was moving away from the mountain. "If we were in Ninjago City right now, we wouldn't even be up past the top floor of some of the buildings. Roque had a penthouse apartment, and you could see basically everything from there.." "Even at night time the city was so bright. Everything was lit up. People were going to work and just walking around and driving.. It was never quiet or peaceful." "And there's hardly any grass or trees for as far as you can see. Just more buildings and lights and roads.. At least we should see the ocean from that height, it made me feel just a bit less crazy." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can't even imagine..." It listened to the howling of the wind and the crashing of the sea. The silence that came with solitude and stagnancy. "I don't think I would like it. At all. That much of a reminder of other people... but I like seeing the ocean." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mlipuko didn't have nearly as many people or buildings, but there was also definitely no ocean view." Roman said and crossed over the edge of the cliffs. The distance between them and the water below was even steeper than the ground had been. "What happens if I just keep going?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You could go on for ever and ever. The sea stretches out infinitely- but you would never find any more land." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It would be so easy. To just keep flying and spin around a few times and throw Naiyta out. It would take hundreds of years for them to find their way back, if they ever did. He took in a deep breath and turned back toward the island, though he was descending down toward the water pretty rapidly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Roman- Roman, you're not going to clear the cliff-" Naiyta's voice grew increasingly panicked. "Roman!" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Shh, I'll make it!" Roman said as he flapped his wings with as much effort as be possibly could at the moment. He was very much not making it, but he wasn't falling as quickly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta fell silent, but their panic was still very clear... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He approached the cliffs, and it was going to be extremely close. "I'm gonna have to throw you, let go!" Roman said and lifted Naiyta up higher in his arms. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"What?!" Naiyta shrieked. It held onto Roman as tightly as it could. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"We won't be able to make it if I have to carry you- I'll throw you up on the cliff!" Roman said. Naiyta would have to choose in the next moment or so, or they were headed straight toward the lip of the cliff. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"- okay. Okay." Naiyta's grip over Roman losened, and he'd be able to throw it over. "I'm ready." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Naiyta dropped pretty quickly, until Roman was just holding on to their wrists. He banked to the left and used that momentum to toss Naiyta upward- just barely clearing the distance and tumbling across the grass. Roman tried to rise, but they had already been too close to the cliff, and he ended up smacking in to it. Like a bird to a window, he bounced off and began to fall.. For just a moment, before he summoned his knives and stabbed them in to the cliff side. That abruptly stopped him, but did leave him dangling there precariously as a line of black blood dripped from a new gash in his forehead. His wings and back muscles were twitching from total exhaustion, so all he could do was hang there. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta tumbled onto the ground and stood still for a moment, not reacting at all to what was happening to Roman. After a few moments, a stone platform formed underneath Roman's feet. He'd be able to safely fall down onto it without risking any kind of injury. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It took Roman a moment to notice it had even appeared, but when he saw the platform, he let go of the knives. He fell down to the platform, wincing as he landed on his wings, but not having enough energy to do anything about it. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

More platforms appeared in a stair-like configuration, allowing Roman to climb back up to the cliff-side- given he had enough energy, which was... currently unlikely. There was still no sign of Naiyta. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Yeah, he just laid there, with a puddle of blood forming under his head. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

After a while, Naiyta descended the stairs and laid a hand on his head, healing up the wounds he had sustained. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm.." Roman mumbled as Naiyta healed him. "S-sorry.. I thought I-i make it.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"We will not be doing that again." Naiyta said sternly, their voice cold. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I-I figured not.." Roman mumbled. Man, shoulda just tossed it like he thought of.. He didn't know what else to say, so he figured he'd just repeat his apology, "I-I'm sorry.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Are you well enough to walk on your own?" Naiyta asked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I think so.. M-my back muscles just keep twitching." Roman sighed and forced himself over to his side. As soon as his wings weren't pinned, their shaking was evident. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You must have over exerted yourself..." Naiyta examined Roman's wings, clicking their tongue chidingly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. that would make sense." Roman mumbled and got up to his feet. He grabbed on to his knives again and tried prying them out of the wall. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Roman tried to remove the knives, Naiyta willed the stone to ever slightly soften, and they slipped out of the rock easily. "We should head to the refectory and get you something to eat. We'll walk there." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Talking was never good. He nodded as he absorbed the blood knives again, and began heading up the stairs without another word. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta followed... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, here we are again. Naiyta sat down in the grass. "How all do you wish to make me up? I know you mentioned slicking my hair back. I like that idea." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, I'll need to get my gel out.." Roman said and squatted down to the floor. He summoned his daggers again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta watched curiously. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stabbed them in to the ground, and sliced through the grass with no resistance. It didn't even seem to disturb the dirt. He connected the circle and the portal to his blood dimension opened. It was gross and red inside, just as usual.. He hopped down in to it with a thick splash. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta remained on the grass, and waited... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It took a few minutes, but Roman eventually rose back out of the pit, holding a small black jar in his hand. "Found it! This stuff's strong, so it might even work with your longer hair." Roman said and stepped out. The portal closed up behind him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stood to greet Roman. "Oh, good. Is there anything I need to do before you apply it?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmmm, usually it's the last thing we'd do before we blow dry. Have you bathed recently?" Roman asked. "Or at least washed your hair?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I washed up last night. After you and Kyrie had left." Naiyta nodded. "I only bathe alone." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, that was either a simplification or just a lie, because they had bathed together before.. Maybe at that time he just seemed so non-threatening that it felt like there was no chance he'd retaliate against it? "I see, that should be good enough then." Roman said and stepped up to Naiyta. "Do you want just your bangs and stuff pushed back, or all of your hair? Your hair is fairly long, so it might look kinda silly if we try to spike all of it back." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm...." Naiyta pushed up their bangs with their hands, but with no product yet, it fell back onto their face quickly. "I think just my bangs. I'm not sure about it being... spiked." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Cool, this should be super quick then." Roman said and opened up the jar. Perhaps as a surprise to Naiyta, the gel definitely had a fragrance to it. Something extremely foreign to it. It was a scent between Axe body spray and sandalwood, maybe. Roman had to pause for a moment as he first smelled it, but he tried to not make it obvious, and quickly scooped out a decent chunk on to his fingers. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta didn't even try to hide the way their nose wrinkled at the unexpected smell, but their face evened out as they got used to it. "Should I sit down? You aren't that much taller than me..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman wasn't looking at them when their nose wrinkled, anyway. He was too busy spreading the gel evenly across his fingers. He was so used to doing this with a missing finger, it was kind of weird to have all of them. "Sitting would be good, but it really shouldn't take long. Remoul was very particular about how his hair was, and this was the last step of a like.. Three hour process." Roman chuckled a little. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, wow... I don't think I'd have the patience for all that." Naiyta chuckled, and sat down in front of Roman. It was.... uncharacteristically casual, right now. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No one else did either, but Remoul was insistent on it." Roman said and leaned over Naiyta. Usually Remoul would be sitting in a chair, which was the ideal height, but this would work too. He slid his fingers through Naiyta's bangs and pushed them back, then ran his hands across on top as well to smooth it out. He did the same with the hair that fell in front of Naiyta's ears, and stuck it back behind them. Overall, only took about two minutes. "Done!" Roman said and was about to wipe his hands off on his shirt, but paused, and kinda just stood there awkwardly with sticky hands. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta seemed to enjoy the sensation of Roman running his hands through its hair, and stood up again, delicately touching its temples, forehead and hairline. "Mhm. I like it..." "Oh, you probably have to wash your hands, don't you." It said as it noticed how Roman was standing. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeahhh, usually there's a sink in our changing room that I can use." Roman nodded. "Once it dries in your hair it won't be sticky anymore, I don't have a blow drier to make it go quicker though." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I'm fine with waiting." Naiyta held out their hands, and in them formed a large bowl of water. It held it towards Roman, having to use both hands to hold it up. "Here. This should help." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It was still a bit weird to see Naiyta magically summon things.. "Thanks," Roman said and dipped his hands in the water, gently scrubbing of whatever excess product he had left. Once it was all off, he shook the extra water off his hands. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Once Roman had finished washing his hands, the bowl disappeared as quickly as it had formed. "So... what now?" Naiyta asked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"What now? Oh, do you want makeup, too?" Roman asked and closed up the jar. "That'll definitely take longer, but I don't mind. I uh, don't know if I have stuff for your.. Skin tone, though. Remoul wasn't as pale as you. And Radysh's definitely wouldn't work- or mine or Roque's.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. If you don't have anything, we could skip it." Naiyta shrugged. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I could still do some eyeliner, lip stick, mascara, maybe.. if you like black or red, anyway. That's all we used." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. Some red on my eyelids would look nice, I think." Naiyta hummed. "Could you do that?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, I can do that." Roman said and summoned his daggers, yet again. "Before I go back in there, is there anything else you want to do, or will that be it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. Let's do some lipstick, too." Naiyta smiled. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Got it." Roman did his whole portal thing again, and emerged with red mascara and black lipstick. It all seemed very clean of blood, for sitting in a blood pit for over a year. He stepped up to Naiyta and opened the mascara palate. "This is a little sparkly, is that okay?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, that's alright. I like things that shimmer." Naiyta nodded. It looked Roman straight in the eye, unsure what the protocol was for getting makeup applied. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Good, because it's extra sparkly to catch the stage lights." Roman chuckled and moved down to the floor as well. Only, he didn't merely sit across from Naiyta, he scooted forward until he was sitting on their lap, with his legs going out behind them. "Close your eyes, or it'll probably burn." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Wonderful." Naiyta smiled, and placed their hands over Roman's thighs as he straddled them. Naiyta's eyelashes were as pale white as the rest of their hair, which would probably lead to a very striking effect. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't seem to think anything of this position they were in, this was just typical makeup application procedure when there was no chair, obviously. Roman dabbed the bright red mascara on to the brush with one hand and carefully applied it, and with the other held the back of Naiyta's head to keep them from moving. He tried to not get Naiyta's eyelashes in it whatsoever. His pressure was gentle, and he spent a decent amount of time making sure he didn't miss any places and applied it evenly. As he said, it was very sparkly, almost obnoxiously so. People from the back of the venue would probably be able to see the shimmer when the stage lights were on. "Done." Roman said and let go of Naiyta's head. "Do you wanna do me?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was incredibly still as Roman applied the makeup, and blinked once Roman said they were done. "Mhm, sure. I can't say I'll be as good as you at applying it." It took the pallate, and held Roman's jaw still with one hand. "Stay still for me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You got it, boss." Roman chuckled and closed his eyes. His jaw was a bit scraggly with his stubble growing back in. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta focused mostly on Roman's undereyes, creating patterns that trailed down his cheeks like tears, before applying the makeup to his eyelids as well in a distinct cat-eye shape. "Mhm. All done." It said once it had finished. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wow- you put a lot of detail in this." Roman said and opened his eyes. "Is this how they did it back in your day?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, not particularly. I just thought it would look nice." It smiled. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, I'm sure it does." Roman chuckled and took out the lipstick. He applied it to himself, in a very thick layer. "You still want lipstick, right?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded. "I would." They pursed their lips, mimicking how Roman had when applying it to himself. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman leaned forward and kissed the excess lipstick on to Naiyta's lips. It was actually pretty even, maybe he was practiced in this. "Perfect." Roman smiled as he leaned back. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was clearly surprised by the sudden kiss, but leaned into it, and leaned forward to him even as he leaned back. "I think you've earned what I'm about to give you." It hummed from low in its throat. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Have I?" Roman chuckled back, and leaned away until his hands pressed against the floor. "Do I look pretty?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta climbed over Roman, propped up by their arms, and kissed him on the neck- sucking and nipping at his skin. Then, they descended him, to where their hands laid over his pelvis. It began untying his clothing and pulling it away. "You look beautiful." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman leaned his head away from Naiyta as they bit at his neck, just to give them better access. "Thank you," Roman hummed and moved his head back when Naiyta moved their hands down. He didn't really want to watch the transformation sequence that would happen, it would probably be... Gross looking, and maybe get him out of the mood. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Probably for the best. It did end up looking very gross. But, perhaps because Naiyta was in a good mood this time around, it felt a lot better. "Roman," Naiyta beckoned once it had finished reforming him, but before it began. "I think this is something you'll want to watch." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman wasn't going to let himself be mad about Naiyta not numbing him as well the first time, that could come later. "Mhm." Roman hummed, and moved his head back down. Well, it was clear that he was ready, basically from the moment his dick had reformed, it was hard. He had perfect control over that with his powers, of course, so must've been intentional. Somehow, whenever Naiyta spoke, it managed to be ominous.. Why should he watch? Was something going to happen? Usually he liked to lay back and put his arms behind his head. He knew that Naiyta's throat didn't go on very long, but he couldn't kid himself and say that he was big enough that his dick would hit the god realm void or whatever... But what would happen if it did? Hmmm.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta waisted little time in getting started, having nothing else to say.... ... Nothing exceedingly weird happened during the act. Naiyta was attuned to his body and responses, and continued in motions he had the strongest reactions to. It kept piercing, unbreaking, eye contact with him throughout the entire event, and swallowed his ejaculation. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He tried his best to maintain the eye contact, but it got increasingly difficult the longer it went on. He wanted to throw his head back, but held on for as long as he could... And that moment happened to be when he reached climax, where his arms buckled beneath him and he fell down to his back. He arched his back and tightened his legs around Naiyta as his wings shook furiously under him. He moaned and took in deep, shuddery breaths, not quite able to say anything yet. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta lifted up from Roman, savoring the sight of him so euphoric from their actions alone. "Mhm. You seemed to have enjoyed that." It smiled, and licked its lips. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Y-you're really good at it." Roman said between breaths. His legs loosened up enough to drop down from Naiyta's sides, and his wings gradually stilled as well. "Wh-what do you want for your turn?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta let Roman have a few minutes to compose himself. "Hm.... how about a reciprocal exchange? You haven't eaten me out since our first night here, I don't think." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

To be fair, Naiyta hadn't given him a chance to do that again since the first night.. "I can do that." Roman grinned from his spot on the floor. "Do you want to sit on me, or do you want me to be over you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta sat up straight and undid their belt, letting their robe fall away. It climbed up over Roman's body. "You don't have to move from where you are. Are you ready?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, that was the answer. This was probably his favorite position. He didn't have to work himself too hard, and the person on top chose the pace, and he still pleased them. "Mhm, I'm always ready for this." Roman chuckled and rested his hands on Naiyta's waist. "You look incredible from this angle, by the way." He was kind of a tits guy, but Naiyta didn't have to know that. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah- thank you." Naiyta put their hands over Roman's, and lowered itself onto him.. "Please me well," They cooed, knowing Roman would not have any ability to reply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mnnfmmmfgghh-" Roman attempted to say.. something. Which probably felt quite weird, to say the least. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta chuckled, and began... ... That wasn't to say they shut up. It was very vocal throughout the entire act, letting Roman know how satisfied it was. They set a fast but steady rhythm, and only moved off of Roman's face when it reached climax, moving down to lay over his chest as their breath heaved and spasms overtook their body. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman seemed very experienced in this as well, and kept up with what Naiyta was doing perfectly. He gasped a bit for air at first when Naiyta moved off, but quickly returned to normal and moved one hand up to carefully comb through Naiyta's hair, and the other to hold on to their waist. He didn't even wipe his face off or anything, choosing to instead lick his lips. "Ay, Yta, you're so sensitive for someone your age." He chuckled. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The parts of Naiyta's hair that weren't matted down by the gel were soft and silky. They pressed their cheek to Roman's chest, and their breathing slowly calmed. "I- ah, forgot how good you are at that." It conceded. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmm.." Roman hummed and leaned his head close to Naiyta's. The smell of Remoul's gel was nearly intoxicating to him, and his hand at Naiyta's waist moved up to its chest. "I think I could go again, if you wanted." He said breathily, and hardly disguised his sniffing at their hair. "For everything we have done, we haven't done the traditional way yet- I'm really good at pulling out, if you're concerned about that." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Neither of us can reproduce. That isn't a concern of mine." Naiyta hummed. "But we could try it that way." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You should be on top again- whenever you're ready to go." Roman said and continued to play with their hair. "Whatever you're comfortable with." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hummed in content as Roman toyed with its hair. "You make me so happy..." It sighed in bliss. After a few moments of content, it moved positions- still laying over Roman, but in a way that allowed for more deliberate movement. Movement of a certain specific kind. They kept their face near Roman's, and kissed him lightly and briefly. "Are you ready?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

You make me so happy... Was that a good thing? Shouldn't Roman have hated it for everything it did? Was he really this easily swayed by sex- His thoughts stopped as Naiyta moved down him. Yeah, he was that easily convinced. "Mhm, Naiyta. Ready when you are." He purred. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Once they had both gotten settled into position, Naiyta kissed Roman once more, and began... ... Once again, Naiyta set the pace, but they were rhythmic and gentle with Roman, steadily increasing the pace and intensity of the movement as they went on. It luxuriated in the way their hips moved together, in time, and kept its lips close to Roman- to steal quick, hot kisses or whisper sweet nothings into his ear. Once they had both reached climax again, it laid on top of Roman again, satisfied and spent. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman tried to play along as well, but he didn't want to do anything that Naiyta wasn't expecting. Using his powers, he kept himself from climaxing until Naiyta was, though he was ready much earlier. Roman leaned his head against Naiyta's, taking in deep breaths. "How are you feeling?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm feeling wonderful..." It drawled out, voice heavy with post-coital bliss. They laid with their head on his chest so they could feel his chest rise and fall as he slept. "That was better than I expected..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It was very good.." Roman nodded, running his fingers through their hair. "Am I the last person you've had sex with after Raikal?" He shifted his wings under him. No matter how he moved them, it wasn't very comfortable. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmmmm.... there were about twenty years between Raikal's death and mine. I had sex with my other courtesans and concubines during that time." It hummed, "But you were the first since Raikal that has meant anything to me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Aw, that's sweet. That's a long time to wait, though.." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There wasn't much of an alternative. The only company I had were my successors, and well... they weren't ever really an option." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Couldn't you have brought in some other universe version of Raikal like- magically? You brought all of us here from different universes." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I could have...." Naiyta admitted. "But that wouldn't have felt... right. And bedding the alternate version of his parent would have destroyed any uneasy peace I've formed with Anore over the centuries." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Wow, did Naiyta have a sense of right and wrong? ".. How is Anore going to feel about me once all is said and done here?" Roman asked. ".. I'd rather not be cooped up inside forever under threat of him finding me flying around outside." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not certain...." Naiyta admitted. "I suspect once this is all resolved he won't be sticking around here. He keeps to his own corner of the Fold. You wouldn't have to interact any with him." Naiyta sighed. "But I don't want to think of him right now, anyways. He doesn't matter now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. mm.. Yeah." Roman mumbled. "Laying on the grass is nice, but would it be possible to get a bed to sleep on..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Alright. I can make us a bed." Naiyta nodded, and wearily got up from Roman. They stretched a bit, and held out their hands. Before them formed a low, round bed covered in soft, light blankets and fluffy pillows. It was about the same size as Reagan and Kairas's bed, and seemed very luxurious- big enough to fit both Naiyta and Roman, even with the wings. "How's this?" Naiyta laid down on the bed, and beckoned Roman forth. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It looks lovely." Roman smiled and crawled up on to the bed. He laid on his stomach, with one of his wings stretched over Naiyta. His arms were folded under his chin.@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta curled up on its side under the wing, facing Roman. It hummed in pure, complete content. "Thank you, for all of this." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was facing Naiyta, but not really looking at them. "Mhm." He said. This was what he was used to, after all. Giving up himself for others. ".. Were you serious about bringing my friends back before..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If that's what you want. They couldn't stay here, I'd send them back to the mortal world. And I don't even know if I could figure out how to bring them back.... Roque, I probably could. I'm not so sure about the others, with their souls mixed together...." It sighed. "But I can only do any of that after I fix the immaterial fold." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I have some of their organs saved too- I might be able to tell you which is which. They haven't rotted." Roman said. ".. Why couldn't they stay here? I don't want them to but- why not?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They don't belong here." Naiyta said simply, and fell into a contented, contemplative silence. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

They didn't belong here. He didn't either. He slowly moved his face down to his arms, hiding it away from Naiyta. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta seemed content to stay in silence, and settled into a comfortable position. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman remained silent for a while as well, though he hadn't fallen asleep. ".. When they come back, will you let me say goodbye..? O-or will you send then away right away without me, like Miriam..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta did not open its eyes. "If there is no great rush for them to return, you can say goodbye." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'd want to say goodbye, they'd all be so confused to what's happening.. I don't know how much of anything Roque is actually processing, or the other two.. I think they'd need me to catch them up." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You'll have all the time you need." Naiyta hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

What he would give to just spend one more normal day with them.. ".. Thank you, Yta." Roman said quietly and closed his eyes, still hiding his face away in his arms. His wing held around it closer, and the other stayed close to his side. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hummed in content, and shifted slightly as they settled into sleep. They seemed happy- truly, completely happy. Was this what they wanted? Was this the result of all their work, the ending to the story they could live out for the rest of eternity? As it drifted into warm, dreamless sleep, the answer came to it clearly. Yes. Yes, it was. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman eventually fell asleep as well, though he hoped he'd get some dreams in tonight. ... At some point during the night, he had totally changed positions, and had his limbs wrapped around Naiyta like it was a body pillow. His head rested on their chest. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

(it sent twice

)

(Discord broken

️)

Naiyta slept soundly and without stirring, and didn't move out of Roman's embrace. When it woke before him, it spent the time running its fingers through his hair and gently caressing his face, not daring to move from this position. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was so deep in slumber it seemed he hadn't even noticed Naiyta touching him. For a time, his sleep remained peaceful.. But it eventually turned restless as his grip tightened up around Naiyta. "No.." He mumbled incredibly quietly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta tensed as Roman's grip grew tighter, but kept gently stroking his hair and face. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He readjusted himself, face a mix of confusion and anguish, and moved his head down toward Naiyta's neck. His mouth opened up and he tried to bite at their neck. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As soon as Naiyta realized what was going on, they moved away from Roman- wriggling out of his grasp and out from under him, then crawling all the way to the other side of the bed. It said nothing, unsure if Roman was awake, but stayed hesitantly far enough he wouldn't be able to touch him without getting up himself. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman fell limply down to the bed as Naiyta untangled itself from him. He continued the biting motion, but all he got was his own teeth. He paused after he felt that, as well as the lack of Naiyta's contact, and quickly opened up his eyes. He was squinting a bit through the drowsiness. "Mmnnm- Remoul?" He mumbled, still resting his head on the bed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was silent for a moment, before saying, "It's me. Not Remoul." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh- oh-" Roman rapidly blinked and pushed himself up to a sitting position. "I'm sorry- it's just I was dreaming and- you smell like... and.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. So you were." Naiyta's voice was cold. When all this was over, they were taking away Roman's powers. "It's alright." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Naiyta's tone, this bed.. He quickly turned his back toward Naiyta and scooted toward the edge of the bed. "Ah, Yta.. I think I'm going to get headed to breakfast." Roman said. His wings twitched behind him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Do you want me to come with you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I think it might be best for you to keep resting for a little while," Roman said and stood, using his wings to shield the view of his back from Naiyta. "But I'll see you later, for the fight, yeah?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh... alright." Naiyta sat back on the bed and drew its knees up to its chest. "Make sure to get yourself some blood before it happens. The fight, that is." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I will." Roman nodded and quickly stepped away from the bed. He haphazardly got the pants and underwear on, but didn't bother trying to retie the shirt. "Will the exit open if I go up to it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The door opened. "There. Good luck out there." Naiyta remained on the bed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Good, good, it opened.. "Thank you, my lord.." Roman said and scurried out of the room. Morning after regrets, or..? @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta brought Roman back up to the immersion chamber, which was just the same as it had been the last time. Once inside, it helped Roman lay on the bed, and sat next to him. It didn't speak yet, but took off their sunglasses and folded them in their hands. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Once Naiyta had sat down next to him, Roman was quick to latch on to them again. His arms wrapped around their waist, and he rested his head on their lap. He didn't know what to say either. He never liked having to kill people. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta gently caressed the side of Roman's face. After a while, it confessed, "I wasn't able to get through with Ryu, either." A pause. "But I'm glad you won." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I-i don't feel happy.." Roman mumbled. "I-I wish I didn't have to do my fight at all.. Why d-did you even have it set up like that..? I d-didn't think you'd want me.. doing that with other people.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's just... the way it had to be." Naiyta said vaguely, because I (the writer) have no clue why the fight was like that in-game. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well.. That probably meant Roman wasn't going to get an actual answer, just another weird thing that Naiyta did... "..mhm.." Roman mumbled in response. "S-so.. What now..? Th-there's not even many people left.. Wh-what do we do if everyone dies and the fold is still broken..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... same as before. I'll continue until I can fix this." Naiyta sighed. "If I run out of people... then I might have to resort to... different measures." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"What.. Different measures..?" Roman asked quietly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If this doesn't work.... I could try forcing Albanes's hand." Naiyta hummed. "She may be immortal, but she can still feel pain." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't even bother offering up his own services, it was clear he couldn't keep in Lifebringer blood, let alone use it. ".. She hardly even reacted when I stabbed her stomach and bit her.. I'm not sure how much pain she can feel." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll simply have to hurt her more." Naiyta said, and then, "There are more than just physical ways to harm someone." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Yes, many other ways.." Roman mumbled. Clearly, he was an example of that. "But don't you two have equal power..? She could probably get out of whatever you try.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Where she is strong in the body, she is weak in the mind and heart." Naiyta said. "And I will do anything to make her comply." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I hope it doesn't come to that. Considering you have to spend eternity together after everything is settled." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I have been despised by my successors before." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Besides just Anore..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mainly just Anore. The others are... too distanced from my lifetime to be all that effected by my choices." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm.. yeah, I guess so.." Roman mumbled. "C-can we talk about nice things?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course." Naiyta continued to caress Roman's face. "Since you won your fight, your mandazi will be in the refectory. We can get you some later, if you'd like." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.." That had totally slipped his mind. "Are they a special recipe, or just the first one people could find..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Just the first they could find. It'd be... more difficult to procure a special recipe. But maybe I can, for you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The ones my grandpa made tasted different from the other times I had it, but.. I never got the recipe, I doubt he even wrote it down anywhere.. I don't know how you'd find it." Roman slightly shook his head. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm... that would be difficult. I don't think we'd be able to find that." Naiyta sighed. "But I do hope you like the ones the staff have made for you, anyways." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

You'd basically have to find the guy and ask him.. and even then he probably wouldn't be inclined to tell you, he was never much of a talker.. "I-i'm sure I'll like them.. it's been almost ten years since I've had one. Roque never let us have any food that's traditionally from Mlipuko.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm..." Naiyta hummed lightly. "What all did you usually eat, then?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Usually I cooked, so whatever everyone else wanted.. But after I got my stomach out I kinda stopped eating as much.. kinda just boring stuff throughout the day.. B-but I'd still cook and sit with everyone, maybe eat a bite or two.. Any more would make me sick." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hmmm..." Naiyta hummed idly. "I would've missed eating a lot, had I been in your position." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I did, for a while. But eventually it just feels normal. And when I got blood regularly my bodyweight stayed up, anyway.." Roman said. "B-but I'm very happy I can eat again. It's.. It was pretty bad this last year.. Even if I somehow got a decent amount of food it would go bad before I could finish it.. U-usually I would just try to steal a bite of food from whatever guy picked me up. And those guys aren't good cooks, at all.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta listened, letting Roman speak. "... I'm glad I could give that back to you, then." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm.. My dicks been nice too, god, I can't believe i went so long with it not working.." Roman laughed a little. "It's tough to choose between that or my stomach, both made me pretty miserable." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, I'm definitely glad about-" Naiyta cut themself off, and frowned. It looked off into the distance. "Something is wrong with Kairas." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.. Um- Do you want me to go talk to h-her for you..?" Roman asked. "Is she okay?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I need to go deal with this. I fear risk of... insubordination." Naiyta's tone was growing dangerously dark. "I never should've brought her here, she's so much of a risk..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Shit. This was something bad. Roman pushed himself up, off of their lap. "I-i can go talk to her first, she might be a bit less hostile to me.. um.. maybe." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stood up as soon as Roman was off of it, and made its way to the door. "No. You'd only make it worse on your own. I have to deal with this." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman quickly pushed himself off the bed and followed close behind Naiyta. "C-can I come with you, at least..?" Roman nearly begged. It was a longshot, but he really hoped he could maybe keep things from getting violent.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Fine. But don't say anything." Naiyta ordered coldly, and made its way out the door... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Well, there goes that.. He wouldn't be able to help much nonverbally. He nodded, and followed Naiyta out. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

When Roman and Sadihak got to the immersion chamber, the door was open. The chamber inside had reverted back to the way it normally was, with the large pool. The stage-like plinth had also returned, awash in the cold moonlight. Kairas lay on the plinth- still, it seemed, unconscious. Naiyta had chained her up and sat her in a way where her wings were splayed out on either side of her. A bone saw lay on the plinth beside it. "Oh. There you two are." It said coldly as Roman and Sadihak entered. "If either of you even think of interfering here, I will double her pain and turn it upon you both. Do not try to stop this. She deserves it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman only stood in the entry way, not wanting to get anywhere near the water. He couldn't go in and help, he couldn't just leave her, he couldn't do anything. "Yta, please-" Roman begged and folded his hands together. "Please, y-you can be better than this! I believe in you, you can change, n-now is the perfect chance to do it!" "Prove to me that you're someone I can love! I-i know you can do it!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sadihak didn't say anything, just hesitantly looked between Naiyta, Petrai and Roman. "That's the problem with you, Roman." Naiyta said, and picked up the saw. "You're too soft. You don't understand when certain things have to be done. You don't understand the power of inflicting pain." It rested a hand on the back of Petrai's head, and she groaned back to consciousness. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman eyed the saw, and finally stepped in to the room. He walked right past Sadihak and in to the water. "No, I DO understand! S-stop fucking talking to me like I don't know anything!" Roman shouted. "Y-you're not the first person to use pain and isolation and abuse to trick me in to falling for them! I know exactly how it feels to be on the other end of it! Being the one that the pain is inflicted on!" "It feels like you're always looking for a way to escape your next beating, or you're trying to think up some lie to avoid their wrath! I-it's not love it's-" He took in a quick breath. This wasn't about him. "I-it's not how you get people to genuinely respect you! Do you really think this is going to scare Kairas straight when you have made it so she has even less to lose? If yeah, you're an idiot! Why would she ever do anything for you!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sadihak didn't make any move to stop Roman, but stood still in terror. "Roman." Naiyta's voice was cold, measured and dangerous. "Shut up and heed my warnings if you ever want to witness my kindness again. You don't have to be here. But you aren't stopping this." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman did stop in place as Naiyta spoke, and fear broke through all of that anger. It seemed like he was just going to shut up and take all of this, at first, but.. His wide eyes turned to a glare again, and he put his hands down to his side. One small step back toward the door.. "I-if you do this, we're done. I-i won't ever forgive you." Roman said plainly, but fear was still seeping in to his tone. "So you have to pick. E-eternity alone, or torturing Petrai. I-i already have someone lined up wh-who can kill me in the time it'll take you to do this." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The door shut behind Roman. He and Sadihak were both trapped now. "Oh, you will." Said Naiyta. "You really don't understand, Roman. I always get what I want. And it's not because I'm blessed, or special, or anything like that. It's because I get what I want." "And you will love me. You will be devoted to me, as a lover is devoted to their partner, as a worshipper is devoted to their god, you will love me. Even if I have to make Reagan wipe your memory of all of this. You don't have a choice." It lifted the blade of the saw into the air- its blade caught the moonlight in a dazzling, almost pretty way, for only a brief moment- and brought it down upon the place Kairas's wing met her body. She tried not to, but couldn't help but scream as flesh was rend from bone, as limb was torn from body. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Well shit, he should've considered that the door would close.. That stupid door.. He glared as it went on its little speech, disgust and fear mingling together in his gut.. Would that actually work? Did Naiyta not know how deep his discomfort with it went, was everything that happened before this just fine? He had nothing else to say as Naiyta brought the saw up. He turned away and tried to run back toward the closed door, but he was slow through the water. And Petrai's scream made him trip, and sent him stumbling down to the water. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to crawl toward Sadihak, but it was just too much. He stopped and slammed his hands over his ears. But he couldn't stop the drool that was leaking from the corners of his mouth as he got a whiff of Petrai's blood sinking down from the plinth and mixing with the water around him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Petrai continued to scream and wail as her wing was severed- because, of course, Naiyta did not bring it down just the once. It worked it over her joint til muscle and bone split. She screamed until her voice went hoarse and dead, and she continued screaming, because it was all she could do. Her remaining wing- the only free limb she had- thrashed in pain. Once the wing was completely severed, Naiyta kicked it away from Petrai's body. They put a hand to her wounded back and closed the wound- only to prevent her from dying or passing out from blood loss. "Petrai!" Sadihak cried out, but did not move. They collapsed down to the ground, and cupped their face in their hands. "Oh- oh, Petrai, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." No one, for the time being, acknowledged Roman's presence. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had absolutely no words. Nothing he could say would make this right, not in a million years. This was all his fault, just like everything else. What could he do that would ever make it right? He kept his hands over his ears, not wanting to remove them to wipe his drool away. The scent of blood was getting harder and harder to ignore, especially in his skewed state of mind. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It all continued. Naiyta only offered Petrai a brief moment of respite, before moving to her other wing. The process the second time was just as long, just as gruesome, and just as completely, horribly awful. At some point, Petrai's screams dissolved into horrible, choking sobs. Once again, Naiyta sealed the wound so she wouldn't get the respite of unconciousness. It grasped her by the hair in the back of her head, and pulled her head up so it could see the anguish in her face, the tears streaming down her face. "Do you get it now?" It barked at her. "Do you understand? You can't win against me! There's no point in trying! If you don't get it now it'll be your hands next time. Trust me when I say this, Petrai Alphanzeyorui, Kairas Coalfoot, whatever you want to be called, that I have no issue with taking you apart piece by piece until you obey me." Despite the tears and pain blinding her, Petrai managed to make eye contact with Naiyta. Through choking sobs, with a voice weakened and hoarse from screams, she coughed out five simple words. "I will always hate you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was still trying his best to avoid listening to anything that was occuring- Petrai's screams or Naiyta's yelling or.. Anything. At least Naiyta hadn't made him watch this time. He could already feel himself losing touch just from the blood in the water around him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta harshly led go of Kairas's head, shoving her forward. It paused to take in some heavy breaths, it pushed its bangs back and tore its hands through its hair, before putting its hand on Petrai's head again, this time only to knock her unconscious. They paced the length of the stage a few times before looking out to Reagan. It pointed to Roman. "Wipe his memory of this. He doesn't need to remember any of this." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As things were quieting down, Roman had slowly lowered his hands from his ears. At Naiyta's command, he opened up his eyes. The first thing he saw were the slight currents of crimson flowing through the water. It may not have been visible to everyone but oh- oh, he saw it. His head snapped up toward Reagan, and he looked upon them with bared teeth. Copious amount of spit was seeping out from between his teeth at this point. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Reagan crawled away from Roman, from the water, from Naiyta. They didn't yet enter his mind. They didn't yet dare. They kept their gaze locked on Roman's, and parted open their mouth, letting their own fangs show. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

What was this, some fang measuring contest. Didn't seem like Roman was intimidated by Reagan at this time, but then again, it seemed like he was pretty spaced out in general. He stayed in place in the water, eventually looking away from Reagan and back to the invisible streams in the water. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sadihak was scared. Terrified, really. That, of anything was clear. They were scared enough to fall back on the orders told to them- because if they didn't, it would be them up on that plinth next. No matter how much they hated Naiyta, they were the smart one who knew when to comply. And so, they complied. They slipped easily into Roman's mind, at the same time clouding his perception of the world around him and drawing up his freshest, most recent memories. They took those memories and buried them deep within him, in a place he'd never explore to find them. They wiped Roman clean of this evening, of everything that had happened before he entered the bedroom. It would be better this way. They had to believe it would be better this way. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman grew even more spaced out as Reagan entered his mind. He swayed back and forth a little in his kneeling position in the water... He definitely had no thoughts happening, but something did. "Might as well get rid of all of the other bad things too, y'know. If it really would be better for Roman and Naiyta to be a thing." A feminine voice spoke in his mind. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sadihak was surprised by the voice. This hadn't been there the last time he'd ventured into Roman's mind. Maybe this was his weird dead girlfriend or something. You don't understand. It's him, or me. I can't let Naiyta hurt me anymore. Sadihak said in reply. If I have to hurt others to guarantee my safety... then so be it. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No, I do understand.. Very, very well. I wish I could reach out to help you, but you being in this realm and already having powers.. Not too much I can offer you there." It said. "I am being serious. I think the best thing for the both of us would be for Roman to stop pushing Naiyta away. It's not really helping anyone, and he's dug himself in to this pit. Don't feel bad about it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sadihak was silent for a while. They were making some connections, connections that, for their own percieved safety, they did not share with the figure in Roman's mind. Silence was power as much as knowledge was, and they needed all the power they could get. "He would be happier that way. We would all be safer that way." They rationlized. They began cutting away more memories- the abuse, the rape. Themself, up on the plinth. Things Roman, truly, might be better off forgetting. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Good, good.. this should make things better for once I vacate him later. He won't be entirely miserable for eternity, well, if Naiyta takes the smart approach and decides to take this second chance to improve.. Hah. Maybe not likely." It said with an upbeat tone. "it's not wrong to look out for yourself first, you know. You are all you have, here and in the real world. Doing what's right for yourself is the correct choice." Roman began to shift a little, his eyes beginning to squint shut. "Ehhhh.. eghhh.." He exhaled in a brain dead manner. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

A gardener had to prune their plants. A farmer had to cull those that would not survive. Sacrifices had to be made to ensure the survival of the rest. Sadihak cut away memories that were only harming Roman more. If he was happy with Naiyta, they would all be safer. "I'm the only one who looks out for me. It's always been that way." They found themself replying. "Survival will always be my first priority." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Sadihak would find quite a lot of unpleasant memories, a shocking amount to occur over the course of six or so days. Usually they were cross linked to some other awful memories, in some evil spider web of all of his traumas. If you were to follow that thread back far enough, it seemed to all come from that day his parents 'died', which was now tinged with the knowledge that they didn't even die. They just left him. That only strengthened all of his feelings of abandonment.. "Mm, you're a smart one. I wish I could have had you, but seems like those scientist freaks of yours got to you before me. I would have treated you much better." "Eck... uwuhh.." Roman continued to mumble on, eyes only open a sliver. His hands were raising up to his forehead. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sadihak left the memories of his parents- it would cruel to take that away, they thought- but buried away the knowledge that they hadn't ever really died. How much could they remove without removing what had made Roman Roman? They had skirted dangerously close to that edge with Petrai, and it had gotten her maimed and mutilated. "What would have happened to me? If you had gotten to me first?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

After taking away everything bad that Naiyta had done or said, there was still plenty of bad left. His year spent out on the streets barely getting by, everything that Roque had done, the time he spent by himself or ridiculed by the other people in his village, the neglect he suffered from his grandfather and even his parents.. Plenty left. "Well, I don't keep my devotees stuck in cramped labs. I let them roam free, like fat grazing cattle out on the plains. Usually I only connect with people who don't already have innate powers, so I'm not sure I would have gone for you, to be honest. People are more appreciative if they think you gave them something." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

If Sadihak messed with too much of Roman's memory, it would show in how he acted and behaved. Best not to alert Naiyta to... all this. Who knows how it'd react. "Mhm. I love being compared to cattle." Sadihak replied sarcastically. "People only ever want me for my powers. Or, my body. Sometimes both." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Fat cattle." The voice corrected. "I just want to help people, I come to people when they need help. People are thankful when I choose them, even if they don't know it was me. Like Roman here, if I hadn't gone to him, he probably would have died in that awful basement.. He was very happy to be freed. You would have been too, if I freed you, wouldn't you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It had been a while since Sadihak had ever thought of themself as trapped. But they hadn't ever escaped it, had they? The labs, then the streets, and now here. Bound and chained again to someone else's will. "I think anyone would be happy to get out of what I've got myself into." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, I agree. This place is miserable, and I'm not even truly there. Just seeing it through Roman's eyes is quite awful. Sometimes I think he's doing things on purpose just to suffer more, but the truth that he's actually trying his best is more depressing." It hummed. Roman's hands were gripping on to his head now, pulling at his hair as he began shaking his head. "Mm. Seems like we might need to wrap it up. Good luck with all of this, maybe I'll find you in the real world, if you're interested in some boons to your powers. Bye." The presence faded away.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Mhm. Probably for the best. Reagan had finished their work- buried away anything that would make Roman hate Naiyta, and kept things that made him love them. The empty space, they filled with sleep and false memories of vague happiness. Carnal pleasures, peaceful bliss. Roman deserved happiness. This was probably the only way he was getting it. Keeping themself tethered to Roman, Sadihak looked up to Naiyta. "He's ready now." And then carefully, "He won't remember any of the ba- anything you did that he got upset with." "Mhm. Good." Naiyta said coldly, and repeated it. "Good." They descended the plinth and met Roman in the water. It held his body and placed a hand on his forehead. He fell into a pleasant sleep. "You're dismissed, Reagan. I'll bring Kairas over to your room in a bit. ... Sadihak left. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't stop shaking his head and muttering nonsense words until Naiyta finally knocked him out. He did seem more at peace as he laid in Naiyta's arm, deeply unconscious. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

... When Roman woke, the immersion chamber was back to the field setup. He lay in the bed, covered in warm blankets and would feel, strangely, at complete peace. He wouldn't remember much after he'd won his fight. Coming back up to the temple with Naiyta and... well, he must've fallen asleep sometime after that. Made sense. His fight had been exhausting. He also wouldn't remember any of the horrible things Naiyta had put him through. All the memories he had of Naiyta were good- or, if not good, at least neutral. Naiyta sat on the side of the bed, facing away from Roman. They had changed back into their normal outfit. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mnmm.." Roman mumbled as his eyes cracked open, just a little. Eugh, bright.. and the bed was so comfy.. "Ytaaaaa, come lay down.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

A brief pause, but Naiyta did eventually turn to face Roman with a pleasant smile. It climbed up onto the bed and laid down next to Roman- on top of the blankets, but still near him. "Are you feeling any better after your rest?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmhmm, yeah, much better.. I think I might've had some kinda bad dream or something but- it's over. Hah." Roman chuckled and moved his nearer arm over Naiyta. "I liked your other outfit too, I think you should wear leather pants more often, hehe." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Just a dream. And even bad dreams pass." Naiyta kissed Roman lightly on the forehead. "Maybe I'll wear them again, then. Just for you." They smiled. "They're getting cleaned now. Your fight was... a bit messy." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Aw, you're sweet." Roman chuckled and ran his hands through their hair. "Can we go get that mandazi soon? I'm feeling a bit hungry." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hummed pleasantly as Roman ran his hands through their hair. "Of course. We can go now, or I can have someone bring some up." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'd like to head down there. I like walking down the mountain with you." Roman said. "And I'd like to pick out a more balanced dinner than bread and sugar." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. That's fair. We can walk." Naiyta smiled, and sat up. "Ready to go now?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yep!" Roman nodded and moved the blanket off of himself. He leaned against Naiyta and gripped on to their shoulders as he looked up at them with big puppy dog eyes. "Could Radoul eat with us? Oh, that's the name I gave my blood thing, finally. I think he's been lonely." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hmm..." Naiyta stalled. "I didn't think something like that would... eat much of anything." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, it can't really.. But it can just sit with us, he loves eating with me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm.." Naiyta sighed. "I'll allow it, the once. You did do well in your fight... I suppose you deserve it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yayyy, thank youuuuu!" Roman said and gave them a tight hug around the shoulders before leaning back. "Could you open up the door?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stood up and stretched, and the door opened. "Mhm. Let's get going." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman grinned as Naiyta opened the door. He suddenly lunged toward them and bopped them on the top of the head. "You're it! Come and get me! Hehe!!" Roman laughed as he jumped off the bed and sprinted toward the door. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta let out a measured sigh, and followed Roman to the door... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Naiyta brought Roman all the way up the mountain back to the immersion chamber, which was still the same as it had been before. It set Roman down on the bed and leaned over him. "Are you ready?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmmm," Roman hummed as he laid back on the bed, stretching his wings out to either side of him. "I'm always ready." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta kissed Roman again- urgently, sloppily- and ran their hands down his body, frantically untying his pants. "Do you want to face me during it?" It asked. "I would like that. I would like to see how I can make you feel." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You can do anything you'd like," Roman grinned. "I would like to not lay on my wings too long, though." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, I will." Naiyta smiled, and laid Roman out on his back, spreading his now bare legs apart. It stepped back only briefly to get some.... items from a small chest under the bed. They undressed and took a moment to put on the harness, coming back to Roman and running its hands up his legs. "Haven't done this in a while... you'll have to let me know how I do." It winked. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll let you know." Roman smiled and leaned back against one of the pillows. "I think I know how you could help me keep some weight off my wings.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"And how's that?" Naiyta asked with a smile. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"If you could pull me up.. Maybe with some kind of lead.. around some part of my body.." Roman's grin got wider as he touched his neck. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's smile brightened. "Oh, I think I have something that can work. Wait exactly where you are-" It ducked back under the bed, and reemerged with a leashed collar, just big enough to fit around a person's neck. "Do you think this would work?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I think that will work perfectly." Roman nodded and leaned forward toward Naiyta. "I'm used to more hardcore ones, but if this is what you want..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Perfect." Naiyta hummed, and leaned forward to fasten the collar around Roman's neck. They held the leash and pulled it taught, holding Roman a bit above the bed. "What a pretty little thing you are..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman made absolutely no attempt to support himself. "You really think I am?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I think you're the most beautiful thing in existence." They let out a shaky breath, and closed the distance between itself and Roman... ... It set a gentle pace at first, but increased ferocity and rhythm as the act continued. They paid close attention to Roman's bodily and verbal cues, though, and slowed down if he ever seemed uncomfortable by the pace set. They were being incredibly cautious of Roman's desires (especially for it being Naiyta), but not so much it stopped them from being dominant and controlling. They held his leash tight, keeping him aloft and close to them, and whispered things in his ear- mostly praise, at how well he was doing and how hot Naiyta thought he was. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

There was something.. Different about him this time. Even the first time they had sex, before most of the bad things, Roman had the mind to be cautious. He had seen Naiyta's worrying behaviors, experienced just a fraction of their cruelty. But now, he had no such reservations. He was louder, and moved along with Naiyta even more. There was some playful resistance that he enjoyed being corrected for, without fear of serious retribution. There were points that he'd wrap his legs around them, or grab them so tightly he'd leave temporary scratches in their pale skin. Finally, Roman was feeling so in to it that he attempted to bite down on the side of their neck. His approach was slow and obvious. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah-ah-" Naiyta chided, playfully but sternly, and guided Roman away from their neck with the leash. "None of that, my sweet." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman pulled against the lead for a moment before relenting. "But I want you- deeper in me than down there. With your blood, you'd be part of me forever." Roman pouted. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You wouldn't like what you'd taste." Naiyta cupped Roman's cheek. "And you already have me. You have so much of me now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I know I wouldn't like it, but I need it. Just a drop. I can handle it." Roman was nearly begging. "I can never have enough of you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

With their hand cupping Roman's face, Naiyta pried open his jaw and slipped their thumb into his mouth, intentionally pricking their finger on his sharp fangs. Roman would only get the slightest taste of Naiyta's burning blood. "Does that sate you?" It said breathily. "Or do you still need more of me?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Roman let it linger for a time in his mouth before swallowing, in some hope to dull the pain it would bring. It was like a burning ember in his stomach that refused to go out. "That is perfect, thank you.. Thank you so much." He grinned widely, though his face did show slight discomfort. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There you go. Take me like a good boy." Naiyta cooed, and continued on, but slipped their hand out of Roman's mouth. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

That hint of discomfort on his expression was still apparent, but it didn't seem to be interrupting his enjoyment all too much. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta continued, but kept a hand on Roman's cheek. "How do you feel, my love?" It asked. "Tell me how I make you feel." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I feel amazing, better than ever." Roman said breathily as he went back to holding on to Naiyta. He could recall feeling stressed and sad in the previous days, but.. Not the reason behind it. Must've been having a bad mental health episode? "You make me feel like there's people out there who will actually love me, and not j-just take advantage of me. You make me feel loved." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

That must've been just what Naiyta wanted to hear, as they smiled wholeheartedly and pressed their lips to Roman's forehead. "I have nothing but love for you. I do, entirely, love you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I love you, too." Roman said and leaned his head against Naiyta's shoulder. "J-just a little more, then we can be done..? I don't feel that well.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Whatever you'd like." Naiyta said reassuringly, and pulled out shortly after. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Thank you," Roman exhaled as they finally concluded. He went limp around the collar. "I haven't gone so long in a while.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You did well." Naiyta carressed Roman's cheek, and then kissed it. "You did so well. Did you enjoy yourself?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhmmmm... Don't I always?" He laughed a little and stretched his wings out. "Did you enjoy me?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I did," Naiyta smiled, took off the harness, and climbed into the bed to lay next to Roman. "I very much enjoy these sorts of activities. I like being able to make you feel good." It clung to his shoulder, "And I like seeing how much you can be affected by my touch." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hehe, I can tell." Roman giggled and moved his hand up to Naiyta's face. He booped it on the nose. "I don't know how Raikal could have gotten bored of you.. but I guess anything seems boring after hundreds of years." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta couldn't help but chuckle as Roman affectionately booped them. "I don't know either... but you're right, things do get a bit... difficult to handle for such long periods of time, if you aren't used to it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It'll be an adjustment." Roman nodded. "But you've seen, I'm flexible. I can handle it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm, you're very flexible." Naiyta teased. "But, yes. I'm sure you will handle it well. I have no doubts about that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Maybe I'll have to get back in to my old hobbies, like writing poetry.. But you have to promise not to laugh though, because I'll cry." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I won't laugh. I quite enjoy poetry, actually." Naiyta hummed. "What kind of verse do you like to write?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Just free verse, usually, I didn't like to get bogged down by rules and having to rhyme and stuff. I mostly just did it to express my feelings." Roman said. "It's been.. Wuff. Like five years since I even tried it.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Free verse, hm. I'm not too familiar with that style." Naiyta confessed. "If you ever wanted to share some with me, I'd love to listen." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll need some time to get back in that mood. I'm probably not gonna wanna share the first few, anyway.." Roman said. "What did Raikal like doing, for fun? She must've had hobbies during all that time.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta thought for a while. "Raikal really liked to sew. Embroidery, making clothes, that sort of thing. And he enjoyed dressing me up and doing my makeup, too." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, I make clothes sometimes, I put together my jacket. And I also altered it to fit my wings- did you see?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I did see. I think it looks nice, you did a good job altering it." Naiyta nodded. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Thank you, it's nice to be able to wear it comfortably." Roman smiled. "I like yassifying you too, hehe." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yassi- what?" Naiya asked with genuine confusion. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh- its like.. To make someone look prettier, I guess." Roman said. "So when you're dressing up and putting on makeup, you're yassifying." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh." Naiyta's brow furrowed. "I... guess that makes sense. I've never heard that word before." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's modern." Roman chuckled. "There's probably a lot of words you don't know. I doubt the recent Lifebringers bring you a dictionary." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, they don't. It's only out of convience to you all that I speak this language. My native tongue is very different." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh dang- I never even thought about that.. Did you learn the language or is it kinda just.. Magic, or whatever?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mostly through magic." Naiyta shrugged. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't know any other languages- well besides a bit of Swahili but I've been forgetting that over time." Roman said. "I always wanted to learn another one, though." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. If you could learn any language, what would you want to know?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hmmmm.. Well, I'd like to learn your native language now, but I've always wanted to get better at Swahili, in case I ever went back home.. Which I guess doesn't matter now. Do the corvi have a separate language?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's been so long since I've been able to speak Laecrish with anyone... at least, my dialect of it." Naiyta sighed, "The corvi speak corvling. I think it changes based on bird type, though. I only know an old version of the Raven dialect." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.. Well I guess I won't be able to learn that either." Roman sighed. "Do you think you could teach me Laecrish?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. I can try." Naiyta hummed, and leaned close to Roman. "Salmaade, is how you greet someone you're amicable with," It said, "but to me, you would say, Ehte'salmaaleide. Warm greetings, to my love." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Yeesh, this sounded pretty different from what he was used to. "Ehte.. uh.. salmalide?" He tried to repeat back. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Salm-aah-lye-deh.*" Naiyta corrected. "Not too bad for your first try, I guess." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Salm-aah-lye-deh." Roman said back. "Ehte'salmaaleide. Better?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Perfect." Naiyta smiled, and kissed Roman on the forehead. "Ehte'salmaaleide tsa'dyie, Roman." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He smiled, and leaned in to the kiss. "What's that last part mean?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It means 'to you, also. The first part means 'as well', and the second part means 'to you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ohhh, interesting.. Sounds like a lot to remember.." Roman hummed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, not if you know it, it's second nature to me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I think that's usually how languages work, yeah." Roman chuckled. "Even after all this time, you still know how to speak it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta nodded. "I still think in Laecrish. Even if I have no one to speak it with anymore." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm.. that's kinda sad.." Roman said. "But a lot of the Lifebringers have funny names, are they more normal kinds of names in Laecrish? I don't think I could pronounce some of them.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't think any of our names are silly." Naiyta's brow furrowed. "Some of them have southern names, and those aren't derived from Laecrish. But- I don't think I understand what you mean." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I mean it like I've never heard of anybody with a name like.. taetikeerie or whatever it was." Roman shrugged. "But you, Anore, and Albanes are easy." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. They were a southerner. Southern names can be... strange." Naiyta nodded. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Definitely." Roman said and rested his head against Naiyta's chest. "Thank you for sharing your language with me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course." Naiyta smiled, and carressed Roman's hair. "Thank you for showing interest in it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You've helped me connect to my mom's culture a bit, the least I could do is take an interest in yours as well." Roman nodded, absolutely adoring Naiyta's touch. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta smiled kindly. "I appreciate it. I really do. I appreciate so much about you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, maybe I'll go ask Raikal soon if she can reach me any Corvling.." Roman hummed. "You should tell me what you appreciate about me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You're so very kind to me," It smiled down at him. "And so devoted. You make it known how much you care about me. I love that you do." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I couldn't imagine treating you any other way," Roman chuckled. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta smiled. "Still. I feel lucky to be the object of your affection." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You should, that's something very few people have ever been." Roman snuggled up to Naiyta. He felt a bit uncharacteristically warm. ".. do you think if I keep waiting, your blood will stop burning up in my stomach?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta affectionately embraced Roman. "Hmm... I'm actually not certain. I don't know... is it bothering you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It hurts, a little.. but I don't want to spit it out." Roman said. "I figure if I wanted long enough I would absorb it with my powers or.. the traditional way." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I think you can hold onto it." Naiyta cupped Roman's face. "You're strong. Can you hold onto it, even though it hurts? For me?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's face was warm, and slightly flushed. "Mhm.. I think I can do that. I can do it for you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you." Naiyta smiled warmly, and kissed him again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He nodded, though not as enthusiastic as last time. They laid there for a while, but as time went on, Roman was only getting warmer and warmer. He was beginning to sweat feverishly and let go of Naiyta to roll away on to his opposite side. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta turned towards Roman. "Roman? Are you not feeling alright?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I-it really hurts." Roman mumbled, keeping a hand over his stomach. "I-i don't think my powers like your blood.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta sighed. "I figured that would be the case..." It placed a hand over his stomach and attempted to lessen his pain... but it'd only make it the pain sharper. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Egh- ow!" Roman grit his teeth together and curled around his stomach. "That's worse that's worse-" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta quickly took their hand away. "I'm sorry-" It glanced around, before helplessly looking back to Roman. "I don't know how to help... you might have to spit it up." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"But.. I don't wanna do that.." Roman mumbled. "Y-you said to not do that.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'd rather you not be in pain about it." Naiyta stroked his face. "Not in this way." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman continued to try to hold it in, but every minute the sweating and shivering was getting worse. It was very clear- his body was not going to accept this 'blood' without a fight. "Al-alright- I don't wanna throw up in here.. I'll head outside a-and get a drink, too." Roman said and sat up. Even his wings were shaking behind him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Alright." Naiyta stayed on the bed, and the door opened. "I hope you start feeling better..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm sure I will, mpenzi," Roman gave a weak smile before limping out of the room. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

... Roman came back in to the room, looking a bit conflicted. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was still laying on the bed, still naked. "Are you feeling any better now?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, physically, yeah.." Roman sighed. "But me and Raikal had an argument. I think she might be going insane with being all alone all the time.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta gestured for Roman to come lay- or at least sit- on the bed with them. ".. I figured that might be the case. What did you two argue about?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman obliged, and sat on the edge of the bed. "She kept saying that you hurt her, and that.. you'd hurt me. And that I'm not remembering things." Roman said. "What would make them think that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's strange.... I don't know why they would say or believe that." Naiyta said, a tinge of hurt to their voice. "I don't think the isolation is helping their mind, though." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Probably not.. They wouldn't listen to me though.." Roman shook his head. "Would there be some way to force them to inhabit me, so they can actually talk to you to clear things up? I hate that they are so confused.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not sure, I'm unfamiliar with how all this posession works." Naiyta sighed. "But if they don't want to talk to me, I don't want to force them to." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"But.. You're okay with them just being alone forever..? I don't think they'll see reason without us having to help.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I don't think you can force someone to accept help, Roman." Naiyta sighed heavily. "That's just... the way it is sometimes." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"But- but what if the thing they think is true isn't..? Should you just let them go on and believe it forever, even if they think it's true?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta sighed heavily, and put a hand to their own cheek. "... I can't tell them anything if they won't agree to come see me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmm.. They really think something bad is going to happen, so I don't think they'll ever come to you.." Roman sighed. "Maybe I'll go try and talk to Seki, maybe she knows why Raikal is being weird." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm... I don't think they'd be able to help. And I'd rather not get too many people involved in this." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. That's probably true.. But I wanna talk to Seki again anyway, they're.. probably my only friend left here. After Ace and-.." He paused to think. ".. maybe Darcy, I guess, died.. I guess I don't have many friends in the first place." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Maybe later." Naiyta sighed. "It's getting rather late..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It is, but- I should let them know that I'm alright after my fight. It looks like I took it pretty hard, and I'm sure they were watching.." Roman said. "If I go talk to Kairas she can tell me where Seki is, that way I could find em quick and get back to you before bedtime." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shook its head. "It'd be better you did not disturb her. Kairas was injured in an altercation with a contestant, she needs her rest." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. okay- uh.." Roman frowned. "Why can't you just heal her..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can. But bedrest and time will allow it to heal better, and help prevent further injury. It was.... a rather gruesome wound." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That sucks.. I can't believe someone would do that to her- who was it..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Cansu." Naiyta hummed. "There was some sort of... altercation or disagreement regarding Reagan, I believe. I didn't get many specifics." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm.. I'll keep avoiding him, then." Seemed plausible to Roman. "I'll be quick, Seki's probably at their room anyway." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ohh, but it's sooo late, they've probably already gone to bed." Naiyta sighed, and draped their arms around Roman's waist. "And it's so cold out. You should stay here, with me, and you can go see them first thing in the morning." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

(NSFW) 'This guy is gonna jork me dry ... well ' "It- yeah, it is cold out, isn't it?" Roman said and placed his hands on top of Naiyta's. "Seki can wait for tomorrow, but I gotta run out quick to use the bathroom before we get in to.. Anything sewious, again." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, of course." Naiyta drew off Roman with a smile. "Privvy's over that way, take all the time you need." They pointed to a door on the far side of the chamber that Roman must've not noticed before. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Privvy? What era is that even from?' "Oh- I was hoping to go out out, it's not often I've had the opportunity to piss off mountains." Roman hummed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You can do that, too." Naiyta chuckled. The door out remained open. "I'll be here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll be right back, nakupenda," Roman smiled and quickly headed out the door that led to the hallway. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta waited on the bed, and laid out on their stomach while they waited for Roman to return. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As he promised, Roman returned. "Well well, where were we?" Roman chuckled as he leaned against the doorway. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta looked up as Roman returned, and smiled warmly. "Well, I believe I was about to ask you how you might like to be treated tonight..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Were we now?" Roman asked, slowly slinking his way over toward Naiyta. "Hmmm.. You can make anything you'd like, right? At least in this room?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Anything one might imagine." Naiyta drew up to a sitting position. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Perfect." Roman got up to the side of the bed and placed his hands on the sides of Naiyta's face. "Since you just treated me so well, how about you let me treat you? You must be tired after all that work you did, you deserve a reward." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta seemed to melt into Roman's embrace. "Oh? How very kind of you... I can't say the idea doesn't appeal to me. And how would you best like to serve me?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, I did get my massage therapy license.. Which is very much outdated, but the point stands, I'm good with my hands. If you could summon up a massage table and some other things, I'd love to work on you. And maybe it would have a happy ending, hehe." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm sure you are." Naiyta smiled. "Oh, I do like the sound of that... what all do you need me to make?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Some kind of comfy table for you to lay on, it needs a place for you to lay your face that still lets you breathe. Some hot stones would be good.. And lots and lots of body safe oils, of course, to get rid of all that friction." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm... I can definitely do that." Naiyta smiled, and drew away from Roman just long enough to outstretch their hand and form two tables- one, a pretty standard massage table, the other, a side table with a bowl of hot stones and a few bottles of massage oils. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Perfect, perfect... those are the essentials, but the next things are the mood setters. Some thin and comfy blankets, soft lighting, maybe a blindfold for you, some music or other calming sounds.. I doubt you know what a CD player is, so maybe no music, but I think a little babbling water feature could be nice." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta continued summoning things into existence- woven blankets on top of the massage table, a think blindfold on the side table, a few pleasant-scented candles, and by the massage table and the side table both, a small babbling water fountain. "Ah, this is already getting me in the mood." It hummed, and clung to him again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"What a lovely studio you've created.." Roman smiled, enjoying the silence with water sounds for a bit. "Do you want to pretend at all, like your my regular client just coming in for a visit, and I'm your naughty masseuse? Or do you just want to be ourselves?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If I'm being honest, I'm somewhat ignorant to what happens at a normal appointment." Naiyta confessed lightly. "But, whatever you'd like." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Yes, I suppose that's true.. Did you not have a personal masseuse back when you were alive? I'd think that's something you'd have liked." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, I had my courtiers..." Naiyta conceded, "but they all assisted me with a great deal of... other things, too." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ohhh, I see.. Do you want me to pretend to be one of them? Or just be me?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmmm... I think it would be quite fun if we could pretend you were one of my courtiers, back in the day." Naiyta hummed. "Don't you think?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yes, you'll have to inform me of how they usually behaved, though.. I can fill in the blanks, of course, but I like my roles to be accurate." Roman said. "And I assume I'd have a different name and character than myself." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You could keep your name and behave mostly as yourself. I'd like to imagine you as one of my courtiers... instead of simply another encounter with one of them." Naiyta hummed. "But... you will call me 'my lord', and refer to me with all due reverence you would a ruler, or a God. I would like you to act as if your only purpose in life, your only joy, is to bring me pleasure. I would like you to worship me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Is this like a time travel thing? Like if I had been there thousands of years ago- y'know, don't even ask.' "Of course, I would love to do all of those things for you, my lord." Roman nodded. "How should we have it start?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm... let's say it's been a long, tiring day at court, and you notice how very tense I am getting." Naiyta hummed and leaned towards Roman. "And you would like to help me... relieve some of that stress." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"There's nothing more I would like to do." Roman said and took one step away from the bed. "Would you like me to be naked or clothed?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm... naked." Naiyta instructed. "I do enjoy seeing all of you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Who could've guessed? "I think that's all I need to know." Roman said and turned away. "I'm going to walk back in to the room to start the scene, anything last minute you want me to know? Oh- a safeword! I think Seki might've suggested that, so we can stop if either person doesn't like it anymore." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, very well. We can have something like that." Naiyta nodded. "How about.... Nightwatcher? I don't think anything like that would come up in the scene." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Bringing up a rival god sure would get Naiyta right out of the mood.. if Roman knew the name of the god in his head, it would probably do something similar. "Nightwatcher, got it. That should be everything." Roman said. "I'll be right back then, you just sit right here!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll be waiting..." Naiyta said playfully, and leaned back, on the bed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman hurried out of the room, waited a moment, and came back to the entry way. "Excuse the interruption, my lord, but I noticed you seemed stressed.. Would you like me to help you out how I can?" Roman asked from the doorway. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, how very proactive of you..." Naiyta sighed heavily. "Yes, you are permitted to come and serve me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

After the permission was granted, Roman entered the room and headed back to Naiyta's side. He bowed his head when he got to them. "How best could I serve you tonight?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"On your knees." Naiyta instructed. "Mhm... let's put those agile hands of yours to use. Why don't you give me a massage. All of me, that is." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman obliged and sunk down to his knees, but raised his wings up to keep the ends of the feathers off the ground. "A massage would be perfect." Roman nodded. "Do you have any areas that require special attention?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stood up and neared Roman, moving his hands to rest on their hips. "Oh, I'm so sore in my shoulders... and in my lower back, and right about... here." It moved his hands down to their thighs. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman let it move his hands around. "Shoulders, lower back, thighs. I can definitely help you with that." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm sure you can." Naiyta hummed. "So, what are we waiting for?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Your command, my lord." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta chuckled low in their throat. "Then consider this just that. My command for you to begin." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stood up and placed his hands on Naiyta's shoulders. "Then let's get you settled on the table. I think it would be best for you to start face down, then you can flip over for the end." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Whatever you think is best.." Naiyta hummed, and let Roman lead it over. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman helped Naiyta lay on the table, and headed over to the supplies. "Would you like an eye mask to help you relax?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta luxuriated on the table. "Mhm... I would. Put it on for me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman picked up the mask and gently slid it on to Naiyta's face. "Are you ready to begin?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta made a soft, breathy sound, and laid fully down on the table. "I'm more than ready." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Then I'll begin." Roman said and picked up one of the bottles of oil. He lathered on a significant amount to his hands and all the way up to his elbows. There was a sweet, citrussy smell to it. "I'm going to work on your shoulders first, let me know how my pressure is, my lord." Roman said and stood to one side of them. He began massaging their shoulders, beginning on the top near their neck and working his way down their shoulder blades. He was already supplying quite a lot of pressure, especially to Naiyta's small frame. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta let out soft, surprised but pleased noises as Roman worked on them. "Ohhh... that's wonderful. That's great. Please, do continue." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You're right, you are quite tense up here.. You must be stressing all the time, and working so hard.. Is there any way I could please you that would be more long term? A person such as you should never have to get to this state." Roman cooed and shifted to prodding them with his sharp, bony elbows. Every single nudge hit the muscles just right. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta continued making soft, breathy noises of satisfaction. "Ah- thank you. That's what I have you for, isn't it? You'll always help me destress." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Of course, after the fact. But I wish you wouldn't have to suffer at all.." Roman said and began to work his way down Naiyta's back, massaging each and every rib on his way. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Once this is all resolved- I won't have anything more to worry about." It hummed, and didn't dwell on the sentiment long, instead trying to immerse itself completely in the physical sensations. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That is true." Roman said, and reapplied more oil to himself. Naiyta's back was getting pretty greasy, but nice smelling! He rubbed from Naiyta's spine and down the sides of their ribs, methodotically, as he made his way down to their lower back. "Are you still going to go through with that plan? Of recreating your abusers and killing them all over again?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta didn't seem to mind how greasy they were getting. They were definitely relaxing. "Ohhh... I don't see a reason not to. I love a good violent spectacle." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I would love to join you however I could best assist. You deserve this vengeance." Roman said. His hands cupped Naiyta's waist. "Do you mind if I sit up on you? That way I can evenly apply pressure to your lower back." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I would like you to watch, more than anything. To see me in all my glory." It hummed, and let out a hum as Roman cupped its waist. "I don't mind at all. In fact, I very much would like it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I would enjoy viewing, too." Roman said and crawled up on the table. He sat on Naiyta's upper thighs, with his legs out to both sides. He began to work on their lower back, digging his knuckles in to their flesh and muscle. "Is this alright?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm... this is perfect. You treat me so well..." Naiyta hummed. They did seem to be enjoying themself quite a lot. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You say I treat you well, but there's no way I can come close to treating a God such as yourself with nearly enough reverence," Roman said and took his hands off of Naiyta momentarily. There was silence, until a small yelp from Roman could be heard. Something dripped on to Naiyta's back in thick, warm, viscous droplets. It was slow at first, before it developed in to more of a steady flow. Once there was a decent amount on their back, the dripping stopped, and Roman resumed massaging them. The oil and whatever this new liquid was mixed strangely, but it was definitely warming up. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahh- Roman, is that what I think it is?" Naiyta asked, their tone inquisitive but not put off or disgusted. No, quite the opposite, actually. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It is, my lord.. I figured you would appreciate me putting my entire self in to this.." Roman and and placed his elbows right above their tailbone. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, I do appreciate it, quite a lot..." Naiyta said, and gasped as Roman adjusted his position. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Immediately, Roman lifted himself off of them. "Too much, my lord?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No-" Naiyta was not in much of a position to draw Roman back to them. "Just enough. In all the right ways." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I just wanted to be sure." Roman said and got back in to position. He dug his elbows in- deep to their spine. "If I hurt you, I assume you'll have to punish me after this.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta gasped again as Roman dug into their spine- though it was recognizably a sound of pleasure. "Ohh- most definitely. I'd have to teach you a lesson then, wouldn't I?" Its tone was light and teasing. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I think it would only be fair." Roman said back, though his tone was dead serious. He was very in to the role. Seeing as Naiyta liked it, Roman began to work his way back up their back, digging in to every nook and cranny of every vertebrae on his way. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta continued making responsive noises, in part just to let Roman know how he was doing. "You should pray to me," It said, "and profess your devotion." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Of course, my lord," Roman said and cleared his throat. "You are the only true God, the only God that matters to me. You are the rightest and most deserving and-" Roman paused for a moment, and his elbow slid on the blood and oil. He managed to catch himself before he elbowed Naiyta in the back of the head, thankfully, but he got pretty close. He was taking deep breaths. "And I hope soon, you will be the only God who has any influence over me." Roman said shakily, and placed his hands weakly upon Naiyta's skin. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's all I want to hear." Naiyta said, and their tone betrayed just that- they did enjoy hearing the words from Roman's lips. "I will be your only God. I will make certain of that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I hope that day comes soon- very soon, my lord." Roman said and got back to what he was doing before, with notably less strength. "There's nothing I would love more than being entirely devoted to you and you alone." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"As do I..." Naiyta drawled out. "... Roman? Is something amiss?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Nothing that you need to concern yourself with, my lord." Roman stated and worked his way back down their spine. He wasn't prodding as hard, but he did linger for longer on each section. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm.... alright." Naiyta, at least, seemed to be enjoying themself still. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm.... alright." Naiyta, at least, seemed to be enjoying themself still. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

(back from homework hell, time for hoework)

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs pinned a message to this channel. 11/4/2024 8:14 PM

Roman continued on with his more gentle rubs all across Naiyta's back. Roman's hands moved in symmetrical, sweeping motions across his canvas. The blood was spread in some specific pattern across its back, up its shoulders, and part of the way down its arms. Once he was satisfied with whatever he had done there, he began to move back down.. "You said your thighs are sore too, my lord?" He asked as he placed his hands on the outside of their thighs. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hummed both as Roman moved his hands up its back, and as he moved down them. "Oh, yes, but.." It hummed. "Would you move your hands to the inside of them?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Of course." Roman said, and slowly shifted his hands, taking an agonizing amount of time to get to their final destination.. "Have you ever tried acupuncture, my Lord?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Naiyta shifted their legs apart as Roman's hands traveled between them. "Mhm... I haven't, it's not something that was common in my time. But I'm familiar with the concept." (edited)

8:39 PM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I think you may enjoy that as well. Perhaps you could try it out on me first, to find the places you'd like. I'd hate to poke you in the wrong place and hurt you," Roman hummed, and began massaging the inside of their thighs. He was not as tough here, instead using gentle and caressing touches as he worked his way up. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta moaned softly, almost making a show of it. "Mhmm... perhaps I will... Roman, would you help me turn over? I think- ah, you might be able to massage me better that way." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hah, that may be true. This angle is a bit difficult to work with." Roman chuckled and moved to Naiyta's side. "I won't be able to see my art once you're over, but it'll be forever in my mind." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta moved up onto their side, but waited for Roman's assistance (which they did not actually need) before laying down completely on their back. "Mhm. Tell me, what did you draw on me?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Even if they didn't need the help, Roman enjoyed feeling useful. "I drew a pair of wings on you, so we can be matching. Nothing a bath won't wash away, though." Roman sand and moved back toward their legs. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"How quaint." Naiyta hummed, though their attention soon shifted as Roman's hand's returned to their legs. "Mhmm... Yes... it does feel better from this position." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He climbed up on the table again and sat between their legs. Just because it was the best angle for a thigh massage, of course. "Are your thighs the last place you require special attention tonight?" Roman asked with a grin. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's hands found Roman's- guiding them further up. "Mhm... I believe there's one more area that could use your touch..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman let his hands be moved without any resistance. "Oh? Where would that be, my lord?" Roman asked, knowing full well exactly where Naiyta was leading him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta drew Roman's hands up to a very particular spot... "You should try touching me... here." It hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ah, I see. Yes, I think you're right.." Roman said and leaned in closer. He placed his hand exactly where Naiyta had led him, and with his free hand grabbed the container of oil. "This is body safe oil, right, my lord?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's breath was quickening from all Roman's physical attention. It nodded. "Mhm, yes. It's perfectly safe." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Then I'll make sure to use plenty." Roman smiled and lathered both of his hands. "Let's see if I can help you relieve this last bit of tension, please let me know how I'm doing." Yeah. ... @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, I certainly will..." Naiyta cooed... ... And they definitely did. Naiyta was very vocal, as as pretty usual for them, and frequently told Roman how much they liked what he was doing- often, accompanied by a command on how to do it better. They wrapped bony their legs around his body, and once they finally climaxed, layed out on the table, now spent. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman did end up laying on top of them, mostly just because he wouldn't bother to pry their legs off of him. "Do you feel better now, my lord?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was relaxed, and let Roman lay on top of it. "Mhm. I do. All thanks to you, my sweet." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Your sweet? That's pretty personal." Roman chuckled. "Am I one of your favorite courtesans?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"My very favorite one." Naiyta hummed, and stroked Roman's hair. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wow.. does that mean I get a raise?" Roman joked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Perhaps. You definitely deserve a reward." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"My reward is getting to serve you, my lord. I don't need any more." Roman smiled and placed his head down on their chest. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hummed. "I'm glad to hear it. You do such a good job of serving me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm happy to know my effort is appreciated. Your happiness is everything to me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You certainly show it." Naiyta hummed. "Mhm. Would you braid my hair?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Braid your hair?" Roman asked, and moved his head so he could look at it's face. "Can't say I've braided hair as straight as yours before, but I can give it a shot." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Nothing as permanent as how you had yours. Just... for fun." Naiyta hummed. Their eyes were still hidden by the mask, and they seemed to quite enjoy the sensory deprivation. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I've gone braids just for fun before, I could spend all day braiding roque's hair and not even make a dent, hah. Do you want small or big ones?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. Small ones, I think. My hair is rather uneven in length, that might be easiest." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, and do you want them to go all the way up to your scalp, or not quite?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not quite. And please, don't make them too tight." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Aye, I didn't think you'd be the tender-headed type. But I got you, I won't make em too tight." Roman said and reached out to start braiding the closest bit of hair. "My babu would sometimes braid my hair, and he'd make every one so damn tight that I couldn't even think with em in, felt like they were pulling my brain right out of my head. I'll be nice." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta leaned their head close to Roman- as close as they could without really getting up. "Mhm. I appreciate it." It hummed. "When I was very, very young, my mother would put my hair in braids. But she did not do it often, especially as I grew older." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was very nice as he braided their hair, as expected. He had some difficulty finding enough hair that was the same length, so the braids were very tiny. "I don't even remember if my parents braided my hair.. I don't think they did, it was pretty short when I was that little." Roman hummed. "But if they were still alive when I got older, I'm guessing they would've." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. From my understanding, hair braiding is a rather sacred corvi tradition. I'm sure your mother would've braided it, had she lived. I don't know as much about your father's people, though." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

If Roman hadn't been lobotimized, he would've been thinking that this 'sacred corvi tradition' he was doing with Naiyta probably wasn't cool. He would probably be thinking a lot of this wasn't cool, actually. "Well, a lot of people have braids there, more like the kind I came here with than the ones I'm giving you, of course. A lot of people styled their hair to express themselves, or represent their relationships.. I never had much to say, really, so.. I kinda just went natural." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmmm... that would make sense." Naiyta hummed idly. "I like your hair how it is now. I think it suits you worn naturally." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"This is definitely the longest I've had it- and it takes the longest to keep up with.. But it's worth it, since you like it." Roman smiled and finished up another small braid. "Do the corvi have any decorations for their wings? I think wing jewelery would look cool." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm... some of the magpies and jays decorate their feathers, I believe. I don't think it's a very widespread practice... but maybe we can find out more about it, for you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hehe, I think it would be fun." Roman nodded, and finished up the final braid he could manage from Naiyta's fucked up hair. "All done! You look pretty silly." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm... I suppose I do." Naiyta chuckled lightly, and finally peeled up the mask to look upon Roman with their golden eyes. "There is something I want you to know, Roman." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had been looking at his handiwork before Naiyta opened their eyes. "Mmm, what is it, Yta?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I would like you to know that, however this ends, I do truly care for you." Naiyta said. "You mean more to me than I can ever articulate with words alone." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Awwwwww, Ytaaaa, that's so sweet." Roman smiled and wrapped his arms around their shoulders. "I feel the same, you mean the world to me. You're the best person I've ever met." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's face broke into a smile. "I'm so, so happy you think that way. I love you, Roman. I really do." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I love you too." Roman purred. "But what's got you so sappy tonight? You're giving me even more attention than usual." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta chuckled. "Ahh... it's just on my mind. I plan on... ending this all rather soon. And getting everyone home." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, haven't you been planning that the whole time, though..?" Roman asked. "I'm happy everyone's gonna get home and all- but what's so special about this 'soon'?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't want to bore you with all the technicalities and Lifebringer talk." Naiyta sighed. "But I think this has all gone on long enough." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I agree, I'm excited for everyone to head home.." Roman said. He felt like he had more to say, but.. To be honest, he couldn't really remember the people that well. Just a few things here and there, definitely not that they were kidnapped, or abused, or have been here for so long.. "But you never bore me, Yta. I love the sound of your voice." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"As am I..." Naiyta smiled, and kissed Roman lightly. "You flatter me. But let's talk about... something more pleasant." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He saw no reason to worry about Naiyta feeling like the situation was grim. "In just a second yeah- but I do have one request for you, if you'd humor me.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh? And what would that request be?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"When you're wrapping everything up, could I.. be by your side? I want to be there with you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I wish you could, but... it'd be too dangerous for you in the arena, and I need complete focus to be able to fix everything." It kissed him again. "You are so very distracting..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Awwwww, well, I'll be in the stands cheering you on then." Roman chuckled and wiggled around as Naiyta kissed him. "And then we can all celebrate after, and you'll bring back my friends.. And everyone can be happy." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I appreciate it. My strongest supporter." Naiyta smiled. "Mhm. We'll all feast and drink and celebrate together. Everything will be well." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Everyone? You'll let Radysh and Remoul celebrate with us after they're back?" Roman smiled. "Oh- and Roque, too? She might not like you, though. She might have to.. go home, right away." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If they'd like to. I figure they might be happier once they're both back in their own bodies." Naiyta hummed. "And I can send Roque home early, if that's what she wants. I'll admit, I... also don't think she and I would get along too well." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I think they'd be happy for me, and happy that I made everything right in the end." Roman nodded. "And yeah.. Roque is a little possessive of us, hence the whole.. Broken dick unless she's around, thing." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I'm sure they will be. I'm glad you have such... forgiving friends." Naiyta hummed. "I figured as much. And I know I have benefited greatly since I fixed that for you- I'm sure you have as well." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I dunno if forgiving is the right word- they.. We all agreed on them dying. Yeah, it was dumb, and mega stupid, but I didn't betray them or anything.. They understood." Roman said. "Mm, yes, I've benefited greatly.. That and my stomach have been great." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Still, I'm glad you have them." Naiyta hummed. "I'm so glad I could help you in so many ways. It gives me purpose to make you happy." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You.. Really feel like making me happy is one of your purposes in life..?" Roman asked, quieter than his last. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm.... I do. After so much time spent so alone... having someone I can love, someone I can shower in so much affection, it means a lot." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That means so so sooo much to me, too.. I've never had anyone who really cared about me.." Roman said softly. "Thank you for loving me as I am. I never thought anyone would." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"How could I not? There's so much about you to love." Naiyta kissed him again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman giggled as Naiyta kissed him. "You'd be surprised how many people don't like me, I think you're in the minority." Roman chuckled. "I think I was the least popular of the Rayes, people.. Usually didn't know what to think about me. Remoul had quite a personality, and Radysh was so shy.. I don't know if I had my own 'thing' that people actually liked." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They simply don't know you as well as I do." Naiyta said reassuringly. "You don't need one singular 'thing' to define your worth. I appreciate all of you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That's true, your approval is all I need.." Roman nodded. "To be honest.. I would probably get rid of Roque if she hadn't put that curse on me.. I don't even know where the source of it, and I'm guessing it's more complicated than whatever she did to my junk.." The jar currently was on the floor under Roman's pile of clothes, still in his safety zone.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I hope when we bring her back, she'll be willing to remove it." Naiyta hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... Eugh, I hadn't even thought of that. I don't see why she would willingly take it off.." Roman sighed. "This is going to be difficult." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmm... I'm sure we'll be able to work something out. It'll be worth it, for you," @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I know you'll figure it out." Roman nodded and let his eyes close. "I'm so eepy.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta chuckled. "Rest well, my love." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I willlll.." Roman said and curled up on Naiyta's chest. "If you get bored while I'm asleep, feel free to help yourself. I'm all yours." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Perhaps I will." Naiyta said, and wrapped their arms around Roman. "Good night." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman hummed back lightly before falling in to a peaceful slumber...

complete my sexy evil challenges three

post cannibalism freaky times

kallum learns about they/it pussy

raikal's clothes

plot relevant peg session torture scene

sadihak is innocent here btw

nothing like kallum time to take your mind off things

i don't want to be here either madelyn

kairas makes bad decisions

awful threesome no one's having fun

wings time & naiyta gets weird(-er than normal)

chilling in the immersion chamber

this guy sucks at flying

makeup for naiyta and kind of normal sex

good morning weirdos

post roman fight chilling(?)

wings be gone

lobotomizing roman

wakey wakey eggs and bakey

plot relevant pegging that lasted too long

post pegging language and poetry talk

roman gets gaslight some more

the last thing naiyta hauryan ever did was get fingered on a massage table