Ch.3

[Fredas, 9th of Sun’s Height, 4E: 221]

The incredible paranoia and superstition Mellow, a pony born outside of Equestria, subscribed to the Naga was both shocking and worrying. I still trust that Neethsi is not only safe, but the sort of person who wouldn’t needlessly endanger me. He could’ve engaged that Dreugh, but instead he chose to avoid combat. Something I appreciate since I had no illusions such an encounter could’ve gone well even with Neethsi’s given competence.

“Good morning Meen-Rei. Has your friend decided you may continue to see me?” Neethsi asked the moment I left Mellow’s clinic and I blinked at the towering Naga where he stood leaning against the building on the opposite side of the alley/street.

“How long have you been waiting?” It was only around 7 in the morning according to Mellow. However he knew the time.

“Only as long as necessary. Come, I have arranged a quick and easy way to work up some Septims for tomorrow’s festivities.” Neethsi pulled his huge travel pack off his back and pulled out...is that?

“Where did you get swimwear?” It wasn’t made of nylon or other synthetic plastics, but it was obviously a one-piece white-ish bathing suit. The fact it was a woman’s suit gave me a clue that his plans involved going in the water. This also highlighted that I would have to wear that, which brought my attention back to my boobs. They’re F-cups now. When I consulted Mellow, he mentioned that hyper-lactation wasn’t unheard of, simply rare and there was no way to know if overexposure to Hist Sap is a common cause of it or if it was tied to my mystically-stolen unborn children.

Sadly, selling my sap was a tricky thing, since Hist Sap, both from the trees themselves and lactating argonians was a highly regulated substance due to its euphoric effects. Mellow told me the sap was even more addictive than skooma! I have tits full of super-skooma! “Please pay attention.” Huh? Oh, right.

“Sorry. My brain goes weird places.” I apologized to the man, who snorted in mild humor.

“Not weirder than the places my mind has been, but that is unimportant. What is important is that you get dressed before I take us on our day trip.” Day trip?

📜

Oh. My. Gosh. I never once believed I could experience this. The world underwater was beautiful. It could be because this was the tropics and the water in the tropics was much clearer due to a lack of phytoplankton from a lower iron content in the water, but wow~!

My gawking at the reefs of Topal Bay a good distance from Soulrest was interrupted by Neethsi getting in my vision and using his hands to gesture for me to keep my eyes on him. Which wasn’t a hard demand with him wearing what amounted to nothing but a cloth speedo. Yum.

My distractions aside, I understood why he insisted I keep my eyes on him. There were Dreugh in their normal aquatic forms that he had us give a good berth so they’d leave us alone. In their more common state, they’re apparently quite intelligent and able to reason with at times. Then there were the sharks, other predatory life, et cetera.

When I saw Neethsi mind-trick a shark into going away, I was both awed and disappointed. I kinda hoped to see him kill it in epic combat, not avoid combat again. I think I understand. Neethsi is a pacifist, at least in that he avoids conflict when it isn’t necessary. I can dig it, so long as he does show his fangs for more than intimidation when it matters.

Wait, what’s that down below? He’s guiding me to...is that a shipwreck? Oh, we’re going treasure hunting! Cool, I...I…

It wasn’t the only ship.

The sea bed was covered in ships. Ships stacked on ships, in all sorts of orientations. They were both ancient and new. Some covered in barnacles, seaweed, even some developing coral. Others were fresh, completely free of everything but barnacles. It was a graveyard.

Dear gods. How long has this been building? How many people have died to create this monument to violence and death?

My horror was interrupted by Neethsi waving to me and then he cast Magelight on a ship. He tread the water and waited, confusing me. At least until a Seapony emerged! He waved to them, they waved back and then the pony approached to reveal a fit looking teal half-anthro pony stallion and half fish with a long flowing darker green mane. “Hello there. You two are a good swim from shore.”

I blinked in confusion, wondering what was happening in Equestria that would make a Seapony come here? My concerns increased when I noticed there were several, no, dozens of seaponies hiding in the wrecks!

“Ah, well, I see. We don’t have much use for surface currency thanks to all of the things your wars and pirates sink down here. Feel free to take what you can carry.” The Seapony stallion responded to something I couldn’t hear. How was Neethsi communicating? He clearly demonstrated that speech underwater wasn’t possible for us.

Oh, well, I guess I’ll have to ask when we get back to Soulrest. For now, I’ve got to awkwardly plunder these people’s coinage they don’t care for while they watch us.

📜

“What was that?” I asked the instant we reached shore a good hour’s walk north of Soulrest, where Neethsi had left his pack hidden in some large rocks. What we’re doing is apparently very illegal. He told me as much, but swore we weren’t going to harm or negatively impact anyone besides some stuffed-shirt bureaucrats if they ever found out.

“The ship graveyard or the non-natives living in it?” Neethsi replied and I leered at him in disapproval, but I guess if I’m going to ask questions I need to be specific.

“The graveyard first, then the people living in it.” I clarified. It was annoying, but I guess he’s trying to teach me to be decisive in my inquiries.

“It’s a product of this world’s boundless capacity for greed and violence. It’s grown over thousands of years from piracy and war, both have been rampant in these otherwise peaceful waters.” Neethsi provided as he shamelessly shucked off his speedo thong and I fought off a hoot of approval even though he kept his back to me while he retrieved his clothes from the pack. “As for the seaponies, they’ve been in hiding for the same reason the ponies, griffins, diamond dogs and other races of their homeland have fled here.”

“What reason is that, beyond the civil war I mean.” I probed, my tail swishing back and forth in joy at the sight of this muscle-bound hunk who was beefy yet wiry enough to be flexible too giving me a show. He was professional about it though and I was disappointed as clothes covered his sexy self up with no hesitation or teasing.

“That is something you would have to ask the core settlement of the refugees in Lilmoth. It is one of the few things they’ve kept quiet and I have not endeavored to uncover the full truth.” Neethsi replied and I felt surprise at him not knowing something.

“You don’t-?”

The ocean boils. The dead float on the surface, cooked like-.

I came to, gasping and shaking on the sand. I yelped in terror when the gentle waves of the water splashed me and I scrambled away from the death-water. “I’d ask, but dwelling on the visions won’t help if you don’t have any leads to respond to them.” Neethsi said calmly and I looked to see him fully garbed in his ratty brown and green hooded robes, his pack on his back.

“Y-you don’t want to know.” I shivered, looking at the bay, knowing all those seaponies would die violently and horribly if something wasn’t done. Certainly, something must be done. What can I do though? These visions, they’re warning me of a coming disaster or chain of them, but how can I prevent them? How can I warn anyone without sounding like one of Sheogorath’s ilk?

“Yo! I’m not ilk!” A crab yelled at me with a scarily familiar Scottish/Irish accent.

“Begon Sheo or I’ll remind you why you don’t challenge me to do the fishstick.” Neethsi casually warned the fucking madgod as if telling someone not to do something stupid.

“Bah, no fun as always! Too sane! Eugh!” The crab then exploded into cheese wedges.

“Gah, a Daedra already? I thought having the blood of Hircine was bad enough.” I groaned and wondered what I was Displaced with again? A fox skull, a hunter’s bow, a forge hammer and a vial of Hircine’s gift. I got way too purchase-happy at the exact right time, even if I haven’t been putting those boons to use.

“Hm...perhaps tonight and tomorrow you should sit inside of a ward to keep Vaermina away.” Neethsi muttered as he handed me my tunic and trousers. Wait.

“What about Vaermina?” I undressed and redressed in front of him, not concerned with him seeing me naked. Although I would prefer he look me over with at least some measure of lust, he only scanned me for injuries or something with his neutral yet serious default expression.

“Hm, yes, it is easy to forget. Tomorrow is her Summoning Day.” Neethsi mentioned as if it was no big deal and I fell over with one leg in my pants at hearing the Dreamweaver, the Daedric Prince of nightmares, psychological terror and torment, dreams, bringing evil omens and stealing memories was more powerful/able to appear in Mundus. When I’m experiencing waking evil omens!

“What?!”

📜

“Are you sure this will be enough? Shouldn’t we take her to the Temple of the Nine?” Mellow questioned worriedly as Neethsi established an arcane circle around an isolated bed in Mellow’s clinic with me rocking on said bed in the fetal position in mortal terror that I might get completely mindfucked by an evil Daedric Prince in my sleep or sometime tomorrow.

“The Temple is full of holier-than-thou oafs who know little of the intricacies of Daedric or even Aedric magic. She’d be safest here in this ward when she sleeps. Vaermina is otherwise powerless without either her being present, mentioning her name tomorrow so avoid that or sleeping anytime between midnight tonight to midnight tomorrow. I have my own protections, but so long as you sleep in this ward tonight and tomorrow, you should be fine Meen-Rei.” Neethsi said and I whimpered, hoping he was right. I’m not going to sleep a wink after all!

📜

[Loredas, 10th of Sun’s Height: Merchant’s Festival/Vaermina’s Day, 4E: 221]

I slept like a baby last night. As soon as the ward was finished, Neethsi patted my head and Mellow said something about sleep-oh. Mellow put me to sleep with his magic. Thank gosh, I would’ve stayed awake all night or at least tried to otherwise.

“Foolish mortal.” I bolted upright at the sound of the ethereal woman’s voice, grasping my blanket to my chest in fear, but when I looked around, there was nothing out of place in the clinic. Neethsi’s chalk ward was still intact on the floor. “While I cannot bring harm to you, I still have a duty to fulfill. Journey to Lilmoth, seek the unicorn by the name Twilight Sparkle. Do this or nothing, not even nightmares will remain.”

I-I just got given a Quest from a Daedric Prince to save things? Well, I guess if there’s nobody to torment, she’s out of a job. “Good morning. Sleep well?” Mellow asked cheerily and I nodded warily, waiting to hear if Vaermina had anything else to say. Then again, the Daedra were all quite flippant with threats to Mundus before. Not even Alduin’s return caused them to give two shits about Mundus. What’s changed? “I’m guessing you were still affected?”

“Well yes, but actually no. She spoke to me just now and gave me a quest.” I admitted with a suffering sigh and Mellow turned a little green. “She just told me to find someone in Lilmoth, not to kill anyone or anything.” I said to try and placate the concerned healer and the magical unicorn doctor slumped into a chair with a shake of his head.

“I swear, you’ve been the most stress-causing patient ever. Ah, but you’ve also brought so many interesting things into my life ever since Yinzos brought you to me. Hm, would you like a milking?” Mellow’s clinically concerned question made me look at my bust and groan at my G-cups. I guess I really am filling back up very quickly.

“Sure, I don’t want these things in the way.” I laid on the bed like before and Mellow brought a clean chamber pot. Mm~ just as arousing and relaxing as the first time. It didn’t last as long though and I only filled the pot a bit instead of each breast filling a pot each like the first time. “Ah, thanks Mellow.” I wiped my front off with a wet rag he gave me and put my tunic back on.

“It’s no problem. I just wish I could pay you back right away with all the sap you’ve provided. What I’m not using for my potions I’m having to sell through regulated channels.” Mellow said while he used his magic to gather up the glowing golden sap and bottled it. “Now then, why don’t you get cleaned up and go have fun? It’s the Merchant’s Festival today after all.”

“Pretty much everything is half-off and none of the merchants are buying things from customers.” I replied in understanding. This was the perfect opportunity to buy all the things I needed and Neethsi was going shopping with me. He said he’d be holding the heavy coin purses so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting mugged.

“Indeed, now, if you’re ill-fated for some harrowing adventure, I’d suggest you get armored and armed. You won’t find a better time to get equipped.” Mellow advised and I nodded, since that was indeed what I intended to do. “Now be off with you, before the early risers storm the shops and take all the good wares!” Mellow cheerfully urged me and I giggled when he used his magic to gently shove me towards the front door of his clinic.

“Good morning.” Neethsi greeted me the moment I was out the door.

“Seriously, it’s only 7 in the morning. How long do you stand there to wait?” I’d consider it creepy if he wasn’t so intent on helping me. I doubt he’s being a stalker since he’s had plenty of opportunities to be a letch, but he’s been a complete gentleman this whole time.

“I reiterate: only as long as necessary. Come now, let’s head to the Chargin Targe to get you a proper set of adventuring gear. Also, where is your dagger?” Neethsi questioned me in a disapproving tone and I scurried back inside Mellow’s clinic and grabbed my dagger, strapping the sheathe to my belt in a hurry to follow the Naga as he headed towards Garnag’s smithy.

“So what gear are we getting?” I asked, remembering I’m used to lighter gear like leather or gambeson.

“I’ll know when we arrive.” Neethsi enigmatically replied before snatching a street urchin-hey! That’s the fluffy cat-brat who pulled my tail and tried to rob me the other day! “Little one. You won’t get far trying the tap-and-pass. Only ignorant nobles or overladen travelers would fall for it.” Neethsi gently chided the small child who instinctively curled up from how Neethsi grabbed him the the scruff of his neck. “Instead, try crowded streets and do a bump-and-pull. You’ll get less in one go, but more reliable results with a mass of bodies to escape through.” WTF?!

“O-okay?” The tan and cream furred little street cat meekly replied and Neethsi put him down with a pat on the head and continued onward. “Th-thanks for the tip!”

“Why did you do that?” I hissed angrily. He just enabled that little shit to keep stealing instead of lecturing him or reporting him to a guard, what kind of person does that?

“Because Nocturnal has her eye on that one.” Neethsi calmly informed me and I shivered at the casual mention of yet another Daedric Prince. Seriously, who is he? He’s like an ultimate Gary Stu, though he clearly has faults. I mean, enabling thieves, stealing from shipwrecks, he can skulk through places without being noticed...is he a master thief?

“Hm? Well, you’re quite early. Good to see you survived your journey beyond the walls.” Garnag greeted me when he opened his door shortly after we arrived on his doorstep. I wondered why he was opening early before I noticed other shops on the street opening too. “Come in, I can only assume you’re here for more of my wares after seeing my work in action.”

“Yep.” I wasn’t going to mention I’ve only used his dagger to harvest alchemy ingredients.

“I see you also practice armouring. I am helping my friend here properly outfit herself for a journey. That said, I would like to see your light or medium armors.” Neethsi butted in, cutting off any small-talk, but Garnag didn’t seem to mind as he pointed to the shelves on the wall.

“The lighter the lefter the weightier the righter.” Garnag wittily replied and Neethsi nodded before guiding me to the shelves.

“So, what’s the plan? Full suit of leather? Hoods? Some-?” Neethsi reached towards the heavy armor and grabbed a plate of metal. “H-hey, isn’t that a bad idea-?” I blushed when he pressed the plate, which was a chestplate now that I had it against my bust, which he hummed at before putting it back and grabbing a much larger one. “Um...why are you doing that?”

“Unlike lighter gear, heavy armor is at a set size, so it’s easier to get an idea of the size of your fit overall by going down a size or two. I however need to take into account your expanding bosom from your body being highly attuned to the Hist and channeling sap directly into your breast sacs.” Neethsi’s casual mention of my size-changing boobs made me feel so embarrassed, but thankfully nobody was close enough to hear him say it.

“Well, fine. I wouldn’t like to have armor I’d just swell out of in a few days without getting drained anyway. Would you know when it will stop?” I asked the nearly all-knowing man as he found a plate that looked just a bit too big for me, then he hummed and put it back, now looking through the lighter sets.

“When the Hist die.” He answered with a hint of sarcasm, so I leered at him.

“Oh. Lovely.” I’m stuck with expanding boobs full of narcotic fluids. I literally have sugar-tits. Yay. Hear my boundless joy at this inconvenient situation. “So, what do you have in mind now that you’ve seen what’s available?”

“Hold on. Good sir, do you have leather strips for sale too?” Neethsi questioned and Garnag nodded. “Thank you.” He turned to the shelves, grabbed several things, then went to the counter with the lot. I didn’t even get to look at what he grabbed! “This, as well as ten two-hand length leather strips and an untanned hide big enough for a cloak so I can make one.”

“Hm...the only one I have that big at the moment is a Terror’s backhide. Tough stuff and more expensive than half of this pile. You sure?” Garnag’s surprisingly earnest demeanor when it came to a sale made me feel like I was smiling. Still don’t know if I do. I know my eyes crinkle when I feel like I’m smiling. I guess argonians express with their eyes more than their mouths.

“That would be perfect, actually.” Neethsi began counting coins and I wondered how I’d look.

Next Chapter: Ch.4 Estimated time remaining: 19 Hours, 39 Minutes