Tormented Soles - A Tickling RPG (Roleplaying Thread)

[Hue]

(OOC: I am down with Kalamos, Nessonite, or any of the other NPC controller volunteers to take charge of Katie and Albert. Kalamos is right though Taj, we need to ask Nessonite to see if she would like to control a NPC like Katie. Keep in touch.)

 

[cassandra1]

OOC: Should I PM Nessonite about it, or has Kalamos done so already?

 

[Taj]

((OOC: I have no problems with any one shot player controlling any of the NPC's introduced to the game. It might be best if either Hue or one of the DM's pm'd her. He introduced them, so he might have an idea of what he wants the two to look like. Unless of course he does'nt want to. But yea, whatever you guys decide is ok with me.))

 

[Hue]

OOC: Should I PM Nessonite about it, or has Kalamos done so already?

(OOC: I have already done so, and she can't do it 🙁 She did, however, appreciate the invite though. Time is definitly a major enemy in the game of life.)

 

[Hue]

((OOC: I have no problems with any one shot player controlling any of the NPC's introduced to the game. It might be best if either Hue or one of the DM's pm'd her. He introduced them, so he might have an idea of what he wants the two to look like. Unless of course he does'nt want to. But yea, whatever you guys decide is ok with me.))

(OOC: Taj man, mad props. I did create them and I am going to let anyone out there who wants to control them can do so. I have one simple request though that has two parts. Part 1 = before posting anything invovling Albert or Katie, let me know in an OOC comment prior, like I did once when Taj took control of the 'trapper' prior to my expansion of the trapper's name, and Part 2 = If anyone decides to expand on their features, please do so, but please design a character sheet as well, so that your idea of abilities and so forth is not changed by another person who decides to take control of Katie or Albert for a while. I am thinking of doing a design sheet for both Albert and Katie later on today, but it is going to be a crazy enough day, so I probably won't be able to post their sheets until tonight.)

 

[Hue]

Night Raptor looked into the eyes of Makambo and sensed his troubled mind.

"What does Thoth want with the war wolf over there?" Night Raptor asked Katie.

"I don't know," Katie replied, "He didn't tell me."

"LIAR!" Night Raptor shouted, "You know and you will tell me NOW or suffer my wrath."

"Go ahead," Katie yelled back, "Just try me."

"That sounds like a challenge," Night Raptor stated as he took a step forward, "Either that or a bet or maybe a dare. Oh well, you will soon learn not to bet, dare, or challenge me." Night Raptor sheathed his dagger and took ahold of his Wooden Staff.

"What in the world is that?" Katie asked in a frightened tone and taking a step backwards.

"It is my Wooden Staff," Night Raptor said as he pointed the end of the staff at Katie, "A magical device of my own creation."

Katie's eyes went wide, she screamed, turned, and tried to flee, but Night Raptor froze her with a freezing spell.

(OOC: Kalamos and/or Cassandra, let me know if the exceeds the magic boundries. I am not sure if I have go too far, but in case I have, Night Raptor will be weakened from that spell casting and out of breath, somewhat.)

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Night Raptor said somewhat out of breath, "No one runs away from me without consequences."

 

[cassandra1]

(OOC: Kalamos and/or Cassandra, let me know if the exceeds the magic boundries. I am not sure if I have go too far, but in case I have, Night Raptor will be weakened from that spell casting and out of breath, somewhat.)

OOC: No, the freezing spell is okay. I don't know what Kalamos will say about it though.

 

[ticklishrilina1]

Rilina shudders heavily when she sees the symbol for Brazorf, and immediatly begins begging with the guards. She promises to tell them everything she knows; she knows what the slaver does to his slaves; and it means she'll be around Luna. WHo knows, the sicko might buy slaves for slaves.

But ultimately Rilina is hauled up and the binding begins. Her slender wrists are wrapped, and the ballgag deposited in her arguing mouth. She is once again tied and silenced, and whimpers while they look for leash.

 

[Tennessee]

Vega stood, wincing and turned to face the dancing girl.

"My name is Reynaldo Vega," he said. "I am... well... I suppose you could call me a mercenary. People need things and I deliver--whether it's another sword in a fight, the death of a particular person or a specific item, even if that item is a person.

"You," he continued, "were not part of the agreement though. However, I could not leave you there and take the apothecary. I was told to leave no witnesses--which usually means death. I could not bring myself to do that, though. Not to an innocent woman."

Vega started to pace a bit, pressing his hand cautiously against the wound in his side as he went on.

"Ayal gave me an idea of his intent for the apothecary--but I hardly believed him. I've heard of the professional tickle torturers, but only rumors of those who do so for pleasure. My own code, it prevented me from rescuing the apothecary while my client was alive. Once he died, unfortunately, it was too late.

"I worked with a slaver, a profession I abhor, because, frankly, I needed the money. But when I saw how sadistically he tortured that girl, I knew I could not subject you to the same fate. To spend the rest of your days being tickled..."

Vega could not repress a shudder.

"Well, it sounds too horrible to comprehend."

 

[cassandra1]

"I'm Rachel Drake Teniel." Rachel introduced herself. This man, who called himself Vega, evidently had as much contempt for the widespread pasttime of tickle torture as she had. She shuddered as well at the thought of becoming a tickle slave. Stripped of rights and dignity, forced to entertain the crowds with her futile struggling and frantic laughter. Could Rilina be receiving that kind of treatment at this very moment? There was no way Rachel could find out, except to wait and see if her travels would coincidentally lead her back to the apothecary.

After listening to Vega, she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I greatly appreciate what you have done." she said, "But where are we headed now? Surely not back to Bisanthium. Too many men there already know me from my performance at the Dragon's Way. They must be waiting to get their hands on me."

 

[tukano_2]

Castorp felt sorry for the poor Rilina... Well, almost sorry... In the countryside they rarely had to deal with slavers, people were mostly free there and the few slaves were mainly used to work, he was not used to see people handled like objects like that.

But the sight of the little cute apothecary, barefoot, totally helpless, her eyes full of fear and resignation, all tied up, just ready for him to take away... Slavers' life shouldn't be too bad after all...

He had to face Rilina's frightned eyes, while the guard called Ferron put her leash in his hand, he was a bit embarassed, knowing what she could be thinking just in that moment. So he winked and smiled quickly at her, taking care not to let the guards see that, hoping that that could calm her a bit.

He ceremoniously said goodbye to the guards and walked through the wooden and dark corridors of the barraks toward the exit, bringing Rilina by the leash. He couldn't speak to her, since the place was full of guards, who were looking at them with a perplexed expression on their face.

Coming out of the main gate Castorp smiled friendly to the two men guarding the entrance and headed toward the lane where Luna and Tolpoff were hiding. Just then Castorp realized with a shudder that Rilina's terror was not so unjustified: as they reached the dark lane, they could see Luna evilly grinning.... "Soooo... what have we here? A totally helpless, all tied up, superticklish dishonest apothecary, who made a lot of bad, bad, bad things, and deserve a very exemplar, prolonged and unfair punishment..."

She told Castorp to get her on her knees, then got closer, took a little sack out of her clothes and let it dangle just in front of her eyes: "... and we have something here that could make the punishment very, very funny... do you recognize these, my poor dear Rilina?". Castorp realized they were the herbs Luna told him about, the ones that Rilina sold her as ticklishness mitigator, but that had exactly the opposite effect...

 

[Hue]

The Fourth Day after Draco acquired his injuries!

Back at The Posion Apple Tavern in Port Kaphraktos, Draco was looking and feeling much better than he had 4 days prior. Draco removed his bandages early this morning and now that it was afternoon, Draco decide to go out in back of the Tavern and 'test' himself out a bit.

"Do you think that this is necessary?" Cathy asked Draco as he was about to exit the Tavern by the back door.

"Yes it is," replied Draco, "How else am I going to find out how functional I am since being injured?"

"He has a point there Cathy," Cornelius commented, "Have you figured out where to start yet?"

"Of course," Draco said with a nod, "Don't worry, I am going to take it easy for now."

"That 'for now' part worries me," Cathy remarked, "However, I cannot change your mind it seems, so have fun and be careful."

"Always," Draco commented as he exited the Tavern.

About a half an hour later, Draco came into the Tavern by using the back door looking extremely smug.

"All right hotshot," NIGHTMARE began, "Think that you are fully healed now."

"I don't THINK," Draco snarled, "I KNOW that I am 100% back to normal."

"Good for you Draco," Robert stated, "Time for our feast now."

With that said, Robert, Cathy, Draco, Hugh, Cornelius, and NIGHTMARE sat down and ate a feast with meat, vegetables, fruit, drinks, cheese, and pie.

(OOC: Happy Thanksgiving everyone!)

 

[ticklishrilina1]

Rilina's eyes are still frightened as she is led, bound and gagged, out of the barracks; they look around when she is out of there, but then they go as big as dinner plates when, in the alley, is Luna.

Oh, could this day get any worse?

Rilina begins to beg desperately in to the cruel ball gag shoved in to her mouth and tied in the back; she tries to explain, as she tried before, that it was just a mistake, and that she's really sorry.

She can see Luna doesn't have any pity, even if she can understand, when the herb bag she gave the wench is dangled in front of her eyes. Yup, there on the wrapping, is her symbol. And she guesses that this isn't a good dose Luna bought again later. Damn.

Rilina begins to sob as she is forced down to her knees, pulling her flawless soles off the ground and putting the weight higher on her legs. She just shakes her head as the tears roll down her face, praying to whatever god comes to mind from one second to the next that she will be rescued by someone who /doesn't/ want to tickle her.

There has to be like...one person, right?

 

[Taj]

Stapleton's anger had turned to feelings of fear and confusion. Since first striking out on his own, he had decided to learn of other species. He had studied the humans, from a distance for the majority of time. The ones he had encountered in the past seemed good natured, and had, had a high value of morals. The ones he had studied wished no harm or ill-will towards their neighbors. They had often helped eachother in times of need and dispair, often offering what little they had to help. That is why, he had, in a sence yearned to help others he had encountered. He thought that was the right thing to do. But now...

After arriving in the city called Bisanthium, the humans had treated eachother differantly here. Often going out of their way to cause problems. Plus now, even with the small group he was with, he had seen acts of cruelty. Humans, holding eachother captive against their will, sneaking into the homes, and pockets of others for a few measley coins, lashing out with weapons of destruction. It made little sence to him. 'Was this truely the way of this world?' He thought to himself, stroking Makambo's back. 'Was the possesion of an object, or another human life considered a higher value than the act of kindness?' Stapleton was'nt sure.

He studied the two captives carefully, almost feeling sorry for the pair. Once strong, they were now prisoners of a sort. Being held for information that may, or may not be of any value. He contempleted their fate and wondered to himself, if one day...the same fate awaited him. The question sent an unfamiliar chill down his spine. Looking down at his trusted companion, he wondered if he should make his escape into the woods. For all he knew, even the group that now stood there, could turn against him at a moments notice....

 

[Hue]

Picking up Albert, Night Raptor glanced at Stapleton, and smiled. Using another freezing spell on Albert, Night Raptor walked over to Stapleton and whispered, "My dear Stapleton, I know how you feel. I have discovered that full blooded humans are only interested in only two things, money and power. Humans want all the money they can get, and enough power to wipe out any and all that stand in their way. I have learned that they also think of us, ones who appear differently from them like yourself, or Half Human and Half something else like me."

"If you want to flee," Night Raptor continued, "Just let me know and I will keep Waylander busy so that you can safely leave this area, but keep in mind, no one will be able to protect you in case a much larger group comes across your path."

"How dare you freeze me like this," shouted Katie.

Turning back to face Stapleton, Night Raptor said, "If you do decide to flee, I hope we can meet again on friendly terms again, but I have a feeling that next time won't be all that friendly. Word of advice, Don't trust anyone, and always make sure that you stay on your guard at all times."

Turning away from Stapleton and walking up to face Katie, N.R. chuckled and said, "I dare because I can."

"There will be consequences for this you know," Katie stated.

"I know," Night Raptor said, "That is why I do what I do."

Night Raptor turned away from Katie, faced Waylander, and asked as he took out a coin, "Would you like to start the betting?"

 

[tukano_2]

Castorp looked embarassed and a little worried at Luna, she was really enjoying the look of terror of the poor Rilina and the expectations about her... punishment. He didn't think she could express all of that sadism, considering that she had to repeatedly undergo the same predicament herself.

He thought it was better to distract the former waitress from her vengeful plans and find a better place to hide from the vast number of people who could be in search for him, Luna or Rilina, for different reasons.

"Lady, I think our priority right now is to find a proper shelter from our many chasers. We had luck with the guards in the barracks, but we can't go around the city like tourists. We would also better disguise ourselves, we are too recognizable..."

Luna looked irritated at Castorp, she was enjoying teasing her little prey and read the desperate look in her weeping eyes. But she had to admit the plumpy minstrel had a good point. She reluctantly stood up, helping Rilina to do the same. "Ok, ok... we will have time to play with our new ticklish slave later, when we will be safe".

I guess we should find some large mantles to cover us as much as possible, you...", pointing at Castorp, "... should cut your hair and your beard..." "WHAT?!?" "Come on, that weird curly hair is too flashy..." Castorp blushed, really hurted: "At most I can temporarely change my hair's color or let them be evened, but my beard won't be touched, no matter what!" Luna snorted: "Wasn't it you who was saying that we had to disguise ourself?" "These were my last words".

Luna, eyes at the sky: "You can be really determined, when it is completely out of place...". She gave a look at Rilina: "Mmmhhh, we should cover her completely with a large coat, even her face, to hide all the binding and the gag in the mouth...", looking at her feet, "... and some shoes for those tender tiny pretty feet: we don't want that they loose their sensitiveness, do we?", grinning at the poor apothecary, "Plus it would attract people's looks: a young attractive girl going barefoot in a city like this would not remain unnoticed for long!"

They decided to reach Rilina's shop and house, Luna knew where it was, trying to use only little and dark streets and lanes: there they would find clothes, maybe some food, some money and other useful things.

 

[tukano_2]

Rilina's house

At Rilina's place everything was slightly singed, and the whole place looked abandoned. Luna removed the ballgag from the mouth of the little apothecary, with the intention to ask her about that later, and also to let the poor lass breath normally. Castorp proposed to untie her completely: she had probably been tied up since the last night... She looked too exhausted to try to run, anyway. At first Luna was firmly contrary, then she let Castorp convince her, but one of Rilina's wrists should remain tied to a big column in the corner of her bedroom.

Castorp took care of the captive while Luna explored the house: she found food and clothes. Rilina's mantles were all a bit small and tight on Castorp, but he could get his face totally hidden in them, and an acceptable part of the rest of his body too. All the money was totally disappeared from the apothecary's house, probably taken away by thieves and the like, considered that the place looked like abandoned. They questioned Rilina about that (OOC: Rilina, if you want you can tell Castorp and Luna all that happened, with the guy who brought you at home, the slaver, the dragon, and so on).

There were also plenties of herbs, infusions, strange sustances: they asked Rilina what each of them was for, to decide if they could be useful. Luna didn't trust Rilina at all (who could blame her for that, after what happened to her with those herbs? 🙂), so she threatened: "Don't you try to fool us, you will be the first to taste this stuff when we will need to use it...".

Amongst all the other stuff, there were also hair coloring substances, so Castorp reluctantly had to let Luna apply the stuff to his hair, changing his color from brown to blonde (?!?). Luna looked too amused by her job, so while her hands were busy on his head, Castorp repeatedly poked her ribs, making her squirm like crazy. Luckily the atmosphere was getting more relaxed. After the hair coloring, Castorp couldn't resist to try to cheer up a bit the frightened Rilina too, suddendly taking one of her bare feet, blocking it at the ankle with one of his arms and letting the fingers of the free hand dance on the soft, ticklish skin of the pretty sole, under the delighted look of Luna. "Mmmhhh, what have I found? A ticklish foot... what could I possibly do with such a thing?... mmmhhh.... Hey, I got it! I can tickle it... tickle tickle tickle...". Castorp used to turn quite silly when tickling was involved...

After the fun they discussed their position. Well, actually only Luna and Castorp discussed: Rilina, still with her hand tied to the column, was told not to speak if not directly addressed. Her feet lied in Castorp's lap, while speaking he was occasionally playing with her feet, slightly stroking her soles and toes. However she was not allowed to laugh: "If you disturb us with your girlish giggles, you will regret it!", said Luna.

The bard and the former waitress agreed that it was not healthy for any of the three of them to remain in Bysanthium. They had to leave the city.
Luna knew perfectly the zone around Bysanthium, she used to follow Brazorf once every two months in his business travels: her duty was to entertain Brazorf during the journey and Brazorf's customers once they were arrived. Then, coming back, Brazorf would kill time with her again... Luna couldn't think about that without a shrive up her spine... But at least she got to learn the towns just outside Bysanthium's walls and had an idea of where they could be relatively safe...

Arthenas was a nearby town, there were mostly Geramorea's employees, not much frequented by slavers and their business partners: Brazorf himself ended up there just once in an year, for bureaucratic matters. It could be considered as a safe place for them, if they could pass the strict rules about allowing strangers... But they still had a good amount of money to bribe some clerks, they had some possibilities.

Once their destination was decided, they put on their mantles, taking care of specially hiding their faces, found a pair of boot for Rilina, took the food and the other stuff, and eventually started their journey.

 

[xtxlx]

Tandy finds a lead

"So what have you come across lately? I haven't been helping you out of charity.", Tanandra said.

The guard was nervous, and had reason to be. Tanandra had clear proof that he had smuggled goods (living and not) in and out of the city, a crime that would lead to a long stay in a cold place were certain nobles informed. Now he provided information to her in exchange for her "help". Information was her job.

He racked his brain to think of something that might be useful. "Um, there wuz a riot at Brazorf's tavern. Someone musta been after him, cuz he got himself outta town the next day."
"Really? I didn't think he was leaving town for a month or so."
"Yes, he was waving his badge around like it was a exit pass. My pal at the gates said he figgered the tub a' goo to drop dead from nerves."
"And where was he going?"
"Arthenas, I guess. Only town that-a-way. Guy travels in style though, he had two girlies with him, hehe. Won't be lonely I think."
Tandy frowned. "Perhaps."

She dismissed her source and considered what she had learned. The most evident thing was that it could not be Brazorf.

Brazorf was found unconscious in his mansion, almost clobbered to death by his treacherous maid and personal slave.

Over-Ruled:
Brazorf was a thin, wiry sort, whereas this fellow was heavy.

And as she recalled, he had acquired one girl named... Runa? Luna? something like that. Still, if that was one, who was the second girl?

Over-Ruled:
It could be that Brazorf was dead and this fellow was using his identity to escape.

It could be that this fellow took part in the mugging and was using Brazorf's identity to escape.
Or that they were spies for one faction or another? Whatever it was, there would be someone willing to pay for the knowledge.

The answer lay in Arthenas. Tanandra arranged for a carrier pigeon to send word to her contacts among the clerks in Ardenia to keep an eye out for "Brazorf" and to wait for her arrival. The local guard would be happy to catch a spy, if that were the case. And as for the two young ladies, she assembled her pack of toys and tricks. If they had something interesting to tell her, she would enjoy teasing it out of them.

 

[ticklishrilina1]

Rilina rolls her eyes as they discuss plans of changing how they look, and she grunts indignantly when it is decided to go to /her/ shop. People taking advantage of her tonight, she swears...

She does look hopeful when she is going tobe untied, sighing as she is still slightly bound. Of course, the poor girl can't go too long without being tickled; Castorp's tickling has her laughing hysterically and kicking and pushing him out of reflex.

Later she is tied and told not to laugh while her feet are played with; of course this doesn't happen. Every time the cruel musician touches her pretty feet, Rilina is laughing her sweet laughter again, loud and pretty.

She unwillingly goes along with the two, praying to the Goddess of Ticklish Girls (who Rilina may have made up, she's not entirely certain) that she will be given an opportunity to escape; of course, the Goddess (made up or not) may want to see her tied up just as much as everyone else seems to.

 

[tukano_2]

(OOC: xtxlx, just a clarification: Brazorf is not dead, Castorp and Luna just robbed and hit him on his head, leaving him unconscious in his bedroom at Dragon's Way.

Oh, and Brazorf is not thin at all, in fact I envisioned him even more plump than Castorp, but I probably never stated that, since I never made a char sheet of him 🙂

I think I'll make char sheets for both Brazorf and Luna, as NPC, since they seem to be recurrent in the story.)

Just before leaving, Luna insisted that Castorp give Rilina a "punishment" for laughing during their discussion, even if the idea of letting her feet in Castorp's lap came from Luna... Castorp happily obeyed: he pinned both her ankles with one of his arm, making them completely immobile, then Luna applied on her soles an ointment they found in Rilina's shelves, something to soften skin and make it more sensitive: it was not effective like the infamous "Erithehen Compohound", but it was enough to let the little apothecary particularly "enjoy" the treatment... and to let Castorp particularly enjoy the contact of his fingers with the soft, creamy soles: he in fact cheerfully applied some more tickling to both her soles, this time much more intense.

After the fun, the three of them went out of the shop, trying again to only walk in narrow and dark alleys, even if it was full day now. They had to move from the center and reach the most peripherical zones of the city. A peasant, come from the country to sell his goods in the city's market, give them a ride on his barrow for some coins, letting them hide under a big blanket in the back, together with the unsold goods.

The peasant couldn't care less who they were: he learned not to question much when "city people" were involved. After all he got some good money from the three and if someone would stop him and control his load, he could always tell he didn't realize those strange looking guys were hiding there, they should have sneaked onto the back of his barrow...

It was quite hot under the heavy blanket, but at least they were well hidden: hundreds of barrows like that were going up and down the streets of Bysanthium every day, and Brazorf was not so influent to make all the guards in the city check every single of them...

So when it was dark again, they reached the gates of the city and, holding their breath while the peasant was asking permission to leave the city, they finally passed under the great door of entrance of the corrupted old Santhium...

Once they were far from the gates, Castorp, Luna and Rilina, with the help of the other two, since she was all tied up under the mantle, came out from under the blanket. They were almost one day far from Arthenas, so they asked the peasant to bring them near the town. The peasant resolutely refused, in his eccentric country dialect: Arthenas was completely out of his path. Then Luna took out a few more coins from her coffer, and the peasant ceremoniously invited her guests to make themselves confortable back there and even gave them something to eat, greatly appreciated by the three after their adventures.

The peasant only had a strange expression when he saw the plump man taking something like a ball with straps out from the hood of the most silent of the three and feed him... or her, the figure was quite little to be a man, but he couldn't tell the genre of his third guest, because the hood was hiding the face completely... It was not long before the clink of the coins in his poket let him completely forget about that and he happily headed toward Arthenas.

 

[ticklishrilina1]

Rilina, as she has said to herself, is having a /horrible/ day. She of course laughs particularly hysterically when she is tickled for her 'punishment', even more when Luna's slender fingers apply the ointment.

And then she is jammed under a hot blanket all day. By the time she is let out she would be willing to strip down to her skivvies in front of these people, embarassing as it may be; but she isn't given the opportunity.

And then she has to be /fed/. Of course, when the gag is pulled out of her mouth she immediatly begins to scream and beg for help, pleading with the peasant for help.

"Oh gods please help me they kidnapped mmmph!" She cries out as food is jammed in to her mouth, and she tries to spit it at Castorp.

 

[xtxlx]

Following up with Brazorf

(ooc: Yes, I saw that he wasn't dead. At the time he was out of commission, so Tandy believed that he might be dead. Now she will find out otherwise.)

Before leaving for Arthenas, she took the time to visit Brazorf's tavern. And who did she find there but a very angry Brazorf (complete with large welt on his head).

As it happened, the tavern owner was trying to feel better via drink, and was telling everyone willing to listen of his much undeserved fate.

Tandy knew better, as Brazorf was as slimy as they came and indeed, he did deserve a bash on the skull from time to time.

But the information he was giving confirmed the rumors about the mugging. It seemed that his slave (and tickly toy) Luna had escaped, along with a fat fellow of ill reputation. Together they had kidnapped an (also desperately tickly) apothecary named Rilina over some dispute involving herbs.

She smiled, as this had many possibilities. Returning the slave to Brazorf would merit a reward. Apothecaries each had their own little secret concoctions which would be valuable to others in their field. And of course they would both need a good long talking to. If one "talks" with feathers, brushes, and other things, that is.

And so she took the carriage to Arthenas.

 

[tukano_2]

"Mmmhhh... that's what you get as reward then you try to save a poor girl from her cruel fate... one can't simply trust women!", said Castorp, trying to clean Rilina's mouth from the food, even if most of it was on his face... "You can say it loud, sir!", exclaim the peasant, who didn't seem particularly impressed by Rilina's pleas. In fact he looked rather curious about the captive girl. He thought it was better to mind his own business, as he learnt to do for all his life, but he was always been secretly attracted by the concept of people enslaved for someone else's pleasure.

"Mmmhhh... sorry sir, may I introduce myself? My name is Phenagon Kraneth, at your service... I was wondering... you know, sometimes I'm really indiscreet, but I can see you are sociable people...", clearing his voice, "... is she a... tickle slave?".

Castorp knew countryside men, specially the young ones like this who looked 20 old, were not used to tickleslaves, he was not too himself, and for them those unlucky people were just like mysterious forbidden objects. The practical sense of peasants told them to use slaves just for work, and they were treated quite humanly, as compared to what city people were used to do to their slaves. Someone would take advantage of their positon of power to have some fun with their workers, from time to time, but those simple minds were very intrigued by the thought of holding someone against their will, feed them and keep them in good health just for the sake of getting pleasure from torturing them... even if they would never admit that. At lest not in their own environment, but more than a honest and blameless man could turn his face completely as he took contact with the vicious big city...

Castorp: "Ahmm... well... actually yes, she is our personal slave..." Luna gave him a very bad look, but he replied with an expression that was saying: "How could we possibly explain the situation otherwise?" The couldn't be supposed to be holding her as a prisoner, for whatever reason: Maximorea's legislation approved limiting another person's freedom only after buying them with a regular contract, from a legitimate reseller, or directly from public safety officers, if they decided the person deserved that penalty. The fact that it was ridiculously easy to get caught up in the claws of slavers, all legitimate resellers, and that practically everyone under public officers' jurisdiction who was not so dangerous to deserve the death penalty ended regularly up being sold as slave, that was another story...

"Well, sir, I don't want to put my nose in things that don't pertain me, but if it's just for me, you don't have to keep the poor maiden all covered up like that...", saying that Phenagon turned his curious head a little to watch her mantled figure.

Castorp bethought for a while, consulted Luna, who looked puzzled, with his eyes, and decided to uncover the poor maiden. Eventually she was laying on her back on the barrow, still tied up but with no ballgag anymore, free to scream as she liked, since the good Phenagon didn't seem to mind having the pretty young woman totally helpless on his transport. He looked actually rather confused and blushed showily everytime he looked back at Rilina, but had evidently no intention to help her out of her predicament.

Considering that the young Phenagon was too busy staring at that unusual pretty toy, Castorp and Luna relaxed and they could take their coats off as well, breathing deeply, wiping off the sweat from their faces and enjoying the fresh air. Their journey to Arthenas continued...

 

[Hue]

Draco had left Port Kaphraktos and was flying around looking for his older half brother, Night Raptor. Draco reached Bisanthium, 4 days after leaving Port Kaphraktos, and found no trace of Night Raptor. Draco kept to the air, due to the large amout of guards, and interesting artilery on the streets below. When Draco got close enough to the ground to attempt to find Night Raptor's scent, he was either unable to detect N.R.'s scent or had to go sky high again. Draco then decided to land and be in his full human form and walk around in attempt to find Night Raptor. Draco landed, transformed into his full human form, and began to walk around looking for Night Raptor. The streets were crowded, and the whole town it seemed was in chaos. Draco heard of plots to steal from this person, that person was out for blood, and some were grumbling about not being able to buy a tickle slave. This peeked Draco's curiousity and when he asked them about the tickle slave, they merely snorted and said that this man and woman took this girl away and the woman was threatening to use some herbs on the girl. That was all Draco needed to hear and run in the direction, after thanking them, that the grumblers had pointed out saying, "They went that way."

"I wonder if they have seen my brother," Draco said to himself as he ran after the man and woman with a tickle slave.

 

[ticklishrilina1]

((Alright, before I say anything on this, I just want to make sure I understand one thing from Kalamos:

Port Kaphraktos is for people who want more fighting than tickling?))