There are many advantages to knowing someone like Snow. One of them is that she can 'drain off' certain types of discomfort or pain, which is what allowed 'Nicora' to get to sleep, finally. However, once Snow fell asleep herself, the soothing effect stopped. This results in Nicora waking up feeling… moody and a bit tender. It doesn't help that next to her, Rose sleeps on with a contented smile. Snow looks like she's staying asleep on the other side through sheer determination.

Nicora's left ear twitches in annoyance at well … everything. They get to sleep and she can't. She turns on one side, then to the other, then on her back, then on her stomach. Nothing seems comfortable, particularly on her stomach when tends to compress certain areas. The 'corset' made by Viktoria is also getting more and more uncomfortable. Through amazing will, she pushes herself upright without growling and slides out of bed. "Okay, I need looser clothing," she mutters to herself as she marches towards the suite bathroom. On the way she grabs some of the plain underwear and their pad inserts because she suspects it only gets worse from here. With the way she glowers, few would dare cross her path. Grouchy and dragony is not a safe combination.

The wardrobe is next to the bathroom, and a quick glance shows… well, Rose has prepared some, as there are a few pregnancy outfits and shapeless over-clothes. Buried in the back might be some really old stuff, from her college days, however.

Nicora goes about removing her frilly clothing and actually folding it up neater than she ever did with her clothing when she was male. Before she bothers putting on anything else, though, she goes to the full length mirrors to check herself out. "I feel fat," she grumbles as she turns this way and that, looking at her butt, thighs, stomach, and chest in turn.

"You're just puffy," Snow comments with a yawn, as she stumbles over. She's… looking a little puffy too, frankly.

Nicora pokes her stomach and frowns. "I'm … jiggling," she mutters, "And I feel like … like I want to kick someone. So, maybe you should go back to bed." The Eeee heads back to her bag of earlier purchases and pulls out the boring underwear and one of the 'heavy' pads, since she has no idea how much, or when, and may as well plan worse case. Before she puts anything on, though, she, well, checks to see if she needs to clean up that area first, in case anything has already started.

Nothing seems to be started yet – aside from that one cramp the other day, it's just been the build-up towards horror. Which is nearly as bad.

"Hey, I've got it too now you know," Snow points out. "From trying to make it easier on you earlier."

Nicora figures out how to orient the pad, puts it in the underwear, then pulls them on. The end result is feeling like something is constantly cupping her, which only reminds her further just what she did to herself. "I can't believe I did this to myself," Nicora says as she grabs her serpentine tail and waves it at Snow. "Look at me," she says, her voice gaining in pitch, "I'm a woman. Possibly forever. A fat, bloated, mutant woman!" Her ears splay to the sides and she adds, "And great, I'm crying." She wipes her eyes in annoyance. "Honestly, Snow, how do you deal with this regularly?" she asks.

"Well, the important thing is disposal, so that you don't attract any wild animals or swarms of insects," Snow offers a bit groggily. "And you don't want to let it run down your legs to get behind your knees. Nothing is worse than being sticky behind your knees, trust me."

"That much comes out?" Nicora asks in horror. She reaches down and gently feels around on her lower abdomen.

"Well… it's enough," Snow notes. "I'm pretty sure Eeee swell up first, so that at least it doesn't get into the fur. Or maybe that's Rhians… I wasn't paying a lot of attention that day. But if it's really bad, you could always make an offering to Gorphat."

"Swell up? What swells up?" Nicora asks, ears splayed.

Things are tender and squishy, but there doesn't seem to be some vast reservoir of ick waiting to burst forth from the probing.

"Your bits," Snow says. "So that they stick out more, or something. Don't take my word on that… I'm sure you've noticed before though? Oh wait… maybe you haven't… "

Nicora slips her hand down to feel her 'bits' to see if anything is starting to swell and protrude. "I haven't had to look before," she admits, "This is very complicated and a lot to get used to. I'm also terrified I'm going to remain like this."

It doesn't feel pleasant, but it doesn't feel swollen either. So maybe Snow really was mistaken.

"I don't feel swollen yet," Nicora says and withdraws her hand. "What were you saying about making an offering to Gorphat?"

"It's common for girls to do that at menarche… you know, the first menstruation… to make an offering to the Angels Inala and Gorphat," Snow explains. "Inala in thanks for the blessing of fertility and proof of womanhood, and Gorphat… well… to ease their suffering."

Nicora rubs the back of her neck. "How do I do that?" she asks. "And does it really help with the first time? What do I offer?"

"Uh, the blood usually," Snow points out. "But it's Reckoning Day now, so maybe you should… confess your sins against them instead?"

"I guess I could," Nicora says, "But if I do … I think I would like some privacy? I would feel strange confessing to you."

"I'm not a priestess," Snow notes. "I couldn't hear it anyway. You need a shrine. Mave has one. And I know Phlagaea has a shrine to Gorphat in her bedroom."

"Then you're saying I should go to them?" Nicora asks as she goes to the wardrobe and gets herself a robe to wear to keep her modest. She pauses as she pulls it on and asks, "Do humans swell?"

"No… well… I don't," Snow says.

"Does it … amuse you to see me in such discomfort?" Nicora finally asks as she gently cinches the robe closed. "Since as, well, when I was male I gave you a lot of grief?"

Snow blinks at that. "I'm a Shrine Maiden of the Angel of Love," she points out. "I don't know the meaning of schadenfreude."

"I don't believe that, but thank you anyway," Nicora notes with a tired smile. "And thank you for sticking by me during … " She waves at herself, "This."

"I'm your partner, remember?" Snow says, smiling. "But you are luckier than me in one respect," she notes, by pointing to down. "You can wear underpants."

"For now," Nicora points out, "Come, let's go visit Mave and see if she'll allow me the use of her shrine." the Eeee waves for her human friend to follow her.

After fetching Snow's robe, they pair head down the long flights of stairs, and at times each step sends annoying ripples of discomfort through Nicora. By the time they reached the suite where the Yodhinala dwells, both of the women are a bit put out. "I hope she has some calming tea," Snow mutters.

"At least you understand how I'm feeling right now," Nicora admits, "That somehow makes me feel better in itself." She reaches out and raps her knuckles on the door.

The door opens, and Mave looks wide awake and 'peppy', despite wearing her sleeping lingerie. "Ah, girls… what can I do for you, this fine Reckoning Day morn?" she purrs.

Somehow Mave looking perky seems to annoy Nicora more, given the way her ears twitch. "May I use your shrine?" she asks, carefully to not sound too annoyed. "Snow tells me that praying to Inala eases the first menarche. and … can you answer me something, do female Eeee … swell before that? Snow said some species do to keep it from getting in the fur."

"Some do, but you would have shown much sooner, during ovulation," Mave says, stepping aside to let them in. The shrine is, naturally, next to the bed, and features the statue that Mave herself posed for back in Gromit.

Nicora slips inside the bedroom. "What is the proper way to pray to Inala?" she asks. "Nude? I hope only nude."

"Did they teach you nothing on Mt. Sunala?" Mave asks. "Kneel before the shrine, and place your fingertips at the base of the icon while asking for the Kindly One's attention."

"Nothing about Inala," Nicora points out, "Other than the tales of her transgressions against Sunala." She offers little more detail, though and instead approaches the altar. After a few deep breaths Nicora pushes her robes out of the way of her legs so that she can easily kneel down before it. Her wings fold in tight to her back as she leans forward and places her fingertips at the base of the shrine's Icon. Her eyes close and she first tries praying inwardly, "Great Inala, Goddess of Pleasure and Love … and and my honored Aunt. Please hear the prayers of the your Sister's child who bears a new form for pilgrimage to our sacred home… "

A hand reaches around from behind Nicora and strokes her cheek… even though nothing touches her wings to suggest a real person behind her. "My my, what your Mother think to see you like this, Alptraum?" coos the soothing voice of Inala. "Are you asking for my blessing, so that your womb will be fecund and your lovers vigorous?"

The Eeee visibly twitches in surprise at the touch to her cheek, though she at least manages to not make an undignified squeak. "There are many that would wish my normal body much harm, yet as this I still bear her touch but cannot be so easily identified," Nicora prays. "And therefore I must be as all women are, so I ask for your blessing in this … moment. Will you bless me as you do all women who pray to you so that what I feel now eases or has a reward for enduring it? I know I never had a chance to visit your Temple in Babel, and I hope you forgive me for that. I have tried to protect your Daughter, Mave, as best I can as penance."

"Ah, Mave… she hides things even from Me," Inala whispers into Nicora's ear. "She failed me, failed to retrieve the Light. But now she has you and the Lightbearer aiding her, does she not?"

"I have the Shadow and I am friends with the bearer of the Light," Nicora prays, "And yes, we are aiding your Daughter. She is to return to your temple in Babel when we both go there."

The Goddess purrs. "That is good. And you are family, so… if I give you My blessing, you will not betray me… as others have done… will you, Alptraum? I could not bear to have my heart broken again."

"Have I not defended the Daughters of all the Sisters?" Nicora prays, "Did I not warn and save as many as I could in Babel? I will always do what my heart tells me is right."

"Mmmm," Inala hums, as if weighing the value of that. "Then I will give you a… gift," she whispers, practically licking Nicora's ear. "I do not wish you to suffer, after all you have sacrificed. So if the discomfort becomes too great… just squeeze your tail until it fades. It will not remove the discomfort, really, but… store it… in the tail. Until you are ready to deal with it again."

"You gift me with a delay if I choose to take it, then," Nicora thinks as she shivers from the odd sensation on her ear, "Thank you, Aunt Inala. You are kind to one who is just learning the trials women must endure … and the hidden pleasures you have also given women than men never experience."

"You are unique in knowing them, Alptraum," Inala whispers, before taking on a more warning tone. "Do not abuse these secrets, or all women will shun you as a man."

"I promise to be the same insensitive jerk when I am male again," Nicora actually thinks.

"Good," Inala says, and withdraws her hand. "It is important for men to know their place… "

"Indeed," Nicora thinks and finally opens her eyes. She can't help but wonder if she imagined all of that … and if she really did receive a blessing. She still feels like biting the head off a rhugrhat.

"Are you all right, Nicora?" Mave asks, from where she lounges on the bed. "Snow has brewed some tea."

"Cranky, but I will live. I would not mind a bit of tea before I visit the Shrine of Gorphat," Nicora answers as she rises to her feet. She can't help but rub her stomach, just to see if anything at all feels different. She's not quite brave enough to squeeze her tail right now.

"You can abate many of the symptoms by making love," Mave claims, as Snow brings over the tea.

"Making love? Now?" Nicora asks as she sits down on the edge of the bed, then accepts a cup of tea from Snow and tells her "Thank you".

"I'm sure you can find a suitable male to satisfy you," Mave says, with a perfectly straight face. The tea has something of a bite to it, but it does seem to sooth Nicora's innards a bit.

"Male? You expect me to bed a male?" Nicora asks, arches her brow, then takes a sip from her teacup.

"Only if you seek satisfaction," Mave explains. "It is a shame that Arkold is so far away now. Perhaps you could turn Snow into a man."

"What?" the Shrine Maiden asks, looking up from her tea and blinking her pale pink eyes.

Nicora glances at Snow and arches her brow a bit. "Would you want to?" she asks, quite honestly.

"But… you mean Twig? Or… that guard?" Snow squeaks a bit.

"The guard was quite fetching," Nicora notes, then smiles slightly. She then blinks a few times and comments, "I'm finding men attractive."

"You should strive to find the beauty in both sexes," Mave notes. "It would also be interested to see if Snow's gifts worked on women if she were a man."

"I will always lie with you, Mave, no matter my form," Nicora notes to Mave. She glances to Snow and says, "If you are ever interested to try … I am willing to experiment since it is you."

"I don't know," Snow admits, nervously. "I mean… I know how to break down a man's restraint, but… that restraint is powerful, and learned over years. If I were suddenly a man, I'd have none!"

"We could restrain you," Nicora notes and nods towards Mave, "But … I see you aren't comfortable with the idea. I'm a little … worried about it too. I might really enjoy it; I did the time Mave showed me … er, well." She takes another sip from her cup and says, "Would you two like to talk for a while? I can go to the Gorphat shrine alone. It would also allow you some time to relax and not endure what I am, Snow."

"Be careful about waking Phlagaea," Snow warns. "Pregnant women have surprising strength, and she is one who does not always awaken gracefully."

"She has taught me a few prayers. I could go to the shrine without waking her, I expect," Nicora say as she slides off the bed and sets her teacup on a nearby counter. "I wish for you two to have a pleasant talk. I also hope that I find further ease from this … trial." The Eeee dips her head, then heads towards the door.

Halfway up the stairs, something gurgles, and Nicora finds that she really needs to find a restroom quickly. She's a few floors beneath one of the kitchens.

"Nnngh," Nicora says, stumbles, and steadies herself on one of the walls. There she rests, clutching her stomach in pain for a few seconds. "Just hold on," she murmurs as the Eeee begins climbing the stairs as quickly as she can, hoping to reach a restroom in time.

The kitchen is deserted at this hour… mostly. A few women are up, kneading bread dough so it'll be ready by morning. They take one look at Nicora and all point to the same little door off in the corner.

"Thank you," Nicora whispers as she hurries towards the small door. The urge to squeeze on her tail is huge … but having to deal with this later won't make it any better. In she goes and once she spots one of the castle toilets, she hurries to it and can't get her underclothes off fast enough for her tastes. As soon as they're down, she sits down heavily, winces, and leans against the wall. "Why did I do this to myself?" she honestly asks herself.

At least it's only water this time. But there is a lot more of it than she's comfortable with. And to think… there's more of it being retained and making her puffy still.

Nicora's expression seems to grow more and more horrified the longer the release of water seems to go on. "What is my body doing?" she wonders in horror, "Why does it need all this water?" And there Nicora sits for literally half an hour out of fear the urge will return on her the moment she gets up. Finally, though, she does get up, dries herself (which still feels odd), and pulls her undergarments back on. "I hope Gorphat can make this less unpleasant," she murmurs as she leaves the bathroom to resume her climb of the stairs.

The bread-girls don't bat an eye, or even look at Nicora as she leaves. The guards at the entrance to the Royal Suites don't question her either, but hurry to hold the doors open for her instead.

"They still think me a demon," Nicora thinks and almost growls as she passes by them. She certainly feels like she could disembowel them if they look at her funny right now. Once inside the suite, Nicora turns and heads to Phlagaea's section.

Phlagaea is asleep, Nicora can tell. From the snores. Inside the room, the High Priestess of Gorphat lays sprawled out on her back, to better air out whatever needs airing out now that she's susceptible to body odors. Her belly is more noticeable now, along with her breasts. She has her mouth open and occasionally gurgles.

Nicora ponders waking her. "Phlagaea, I'm going to pray at the altar, is that okay?" she ends up asking the sleeping priestess gently.

In the corner of her room is they shrine, made to Sylvanian standards. It's icon actually looks more like Phlagaea now than when she was green and slender. And while the Sylvanian Gorphat doesn't look like a toad, it does depict her sitting down instead of standing like the others.

"Mmm-gragh… Sister Sputia… pass th honey… " Phlagaea mutterd, and passed gas – but doesn't stir.

"I'll take that as a yes," Nicora mutters as she tiptoes around the bed. She pushes her robe back so that she can kneel down and then leans forward, placing her fingertips at the base of the altar like she did for Inala. Also like Inala, she closes her eyes and begins to pray. The first prayer is an abridged version of the one she did with Phlagaea earlier, asking Gorphat to help her endure this trial. The second part Nicora tries her own pleading, "Great Gorphat, Mistress of all Afflictions and Cures, Sister to my Mother, please hear my prayer. Ease my suffering so that I may endure my time as a woman and the wound we all bear for our entire lives. I have protected your Daughter, and now I seek your blessing as a woman."

"Hmmmm," comes the reply, from a figure leaning against the wall next to the shrine. It's wrapped in bandages… but they are not the clean, decorated ones Phlagaea uses, but dingy and worn and covered in all manner of stains. Gorphat looks at Nicora, one of Her eyes a bit yellow and rheumy. "You… you're the one who knocked up my Blessed One, aren't you?" she rasps.

Nicora blinks a few times, shocked that she's looking at Gorphat. "When I was male, yes," Nicora admits, since it is obvious she already knows. "It was her wish."

"She wished for a worthy challenge," Gorphat corrects. "Was it a challenge for you as well?"

"Yes. It took much magic, trials, and even the sacrifice of part of my body to accomplish," Nicora explains and lets the black fur of her right hand 'melt' away to reveal the metal latticework and flayed-looking flesh beneath it. though it is trembling, she holds out her right hand to Gorphat, should she desire to inspect it.

Gorphat licks it, leaving behind… well, hopefully it's just saliva. "Disfigurement, one of my favorites," the Sister notes. "And now you wish to take on the challenge of womanhood. I can make it very challenging, as befits one of heroic endurance. I like blood, you see. It is cleansing. And the pain… which must be endured, but which results in… nothing. Inala may have birth, but all the rest belongs to Me."

Nicora tries to not look too repulsed by Gorphat licking her arm … and decides she'll just wash that hand later, as she lowers it. "How challenging?" she asks the Goddess in a very small voice. "And do you ever make it … less challenging?"

"Oh, you want me to revoke my blessing, is that it?" Gorphat asks. "Afraid to deal with something that little girls can manage?"

"I was able to give your Blessed One her challenge," Nicora finds herself saying and sits up a little as her own pride takes over her rational thought, "I can endure that which little girls can manage, and more. I am worthy of your greatest blessings, as we are family." Of course right after she says that she realizes just what she said … and her stomach sinks.

And it keeps on sinking, and doesn't seem inclined to stop. Gorphat smiles, and leans forward to kiss Nicora right on the mouth… which is indescribably vile tasting. "You are still man enough to rise to the bait. Pride is another of my favorite things, even if it's not of my doing, for it leads so many to my bosom. You really should start running for the toilet now… "

And part of that pride, well, causes Nicora to kiss Gorphat back, even if it tastes horribly vile. "Come watch, then," Nicora says as she hurriedly gets to her feet, "And you will see just how strong I am." The Eeee then heads towards the suite bathroom quickly. "WHY are you baiting her?!" she finds herself thinking, "What do you have to prove?"

It is horrible, the thing that happens next. It makes Nicora's legs go weak, her wings ache, and her teeth itch. Part of her body is escaping, and kicking her in the guts while it does it. Gorphat, at least, does not follow.

Nicora staggers into the bathroom and sits down hard onto one of the toilets. It's only after she does so that she remembers she has to remove her undergarments. This is not remotely easy with the amount of pain wracking through her abdomen and takes her several minutes to manage with the weakness that seems to attach every part of her body!

Relief is … disgusting. If women go through this for years and years, it's no wonder they don't balk at giving birth. The first five minutes are only a reminder that this will be going on … slowly … for another three or more days. And Nicora can't even tell if this is bad or normal!

"Ugh … " Nicora whimpers softly from where she's curled over as heaviness flows out of her. It's not like water at all, what she expected. It's practically slime and she feels every bit of the texture as it escapes. "Now there is swelling," she also murmurs weakly as her parts, her 'wound' really behaves like one and in a rather disgusting way, looks like one. "I have to endure this for a week?" she whispers to herself. "Why did you ask her to bless you with the worst possible?"

Nicora's tail – the masculine essence of Alptraum – is writhing in an apparent effort to flee. Luckily it isn't capable of chewing itself off, lacking teeth.

And there Nicora sits, eyes closed and curled over as the slow ooze continues on and on. "Is this what it will always be like, Gorphat?" she finds herself thinking. She does eventually reach back to pull her tail around and pet its head in an effort to calm it.

This helps both to distract the tail and herself, until she hears Snow whisper through the door, "Are you in there, Nicora? I sense a lot of… discomfort."

"It has begun," Nicora answers weakly, "Gorphat … decided I needed to be challenged."

"She did, really?" Snow says. "How are you taking it so far?"

"I feel terrible," Nicora admits, "This really hurts and … I didn't know it was this slimy." There's a pained squeak that follows when a cramp hits her full force for a few seconds.

"Well, think back to how your mother put up with it," Snow suggests.

"Which one?" Nicora actually asks. "My birth mother was a living corpse. The priestess had to tend to her body when this occurred with her."

"Oh, I did not need that image," Snow says. "I meant the one who raised you. How did she get through this? Wait… she didn't kill your father did she?"

"No, but she threatened to more than once," Nicora notes as she slowly uncurls herself when it seems like the pain has subsided for a bit.

"Okay, but she was never physically abusive or violent right?" Snow asks, just to be sure.

"No, of course not," Nicora answers, "Why do you ask?"

"I had to be sure you'd be safe to be around," Snow notes from the other side of the door. "How does it feel now, any… less bad?"

"In case you decide to be male for me?" Nicora teases with a pained smile. "There's swelling, and I can feel it oozing. But … the sensation of being kicked in the gut has faded, I think. And you can come in."

"I'd rather not," Snow admits. "If I do, I might start up early as well. But… you know that you can't spend the entire time on the toilet, right? It's not going to stop, and it isn't so fast that… well, maybe it is heavy for you. But you'll just have to trust the pads, and keep yourself clean, and avoid thinking about it when you're drinking blood."

"I know, I know," Nicora admits as she finally forces herself off the toilet, waddles over to a sink, and uses her hands and water to clean herself. The amount of red that comes off is disturbing, but she tries not to think about it too much. When she thinks she's cleaned enough, she pulls her undergarment, plus pad, back up. It was noticeable before, but with some of the swelling, it's really noticeable now. She leans against the counter and breathes slowly. "It's pretty horrible being female," she finds herself thinking. "And with the trip, you have at least one more of these, most likely, unless something comes up. Oh Goddess, is this how it will always be, or was this just Gorphat inflicting a one time trial? What have I done to myself? Will I ever be the same?"