Returning to the Tower

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Ahsch and Talhort spoke for almost an hour before the hrafthi left. Though their discussion did cover the methods of piercing and tattooing and scarring and branding - as the presence of magic provided some new avenues that were not possible of Earth - the majority of it regarded the surgeries and, as Ahsch had requested, the why and essence of what Talhort and his wives did. It was a conversation light on mechanics and practical, literal substance, but heavy with metaphysics and emotion.

At one point, Ahsch asked if he could examine Talhort with his spells, curious if there was any trace of the Virgin Wish’s work, any indication that the bull-man’s body was once a cow-woman’s. Or alternatively, any residual markers that the hrafthi could follow, could use to develop his own magic. After some hesitation, Talhort agreed. The results were fundamentally of little use - Talhort’s body was, indeed, fully and perfectly that of bull-man’s, and there was no indication that any magic or procedure had been performed.

It was only as they were concluding their discussion that Ahsch recalled the revelation Mahat had struck upon. “If I were to bring one of my servants here, could you help them? Assuming what I’ve just realized is accurate.”

The bull-man raised an eyebrow. “You think one of yours is ‘transgender,’ as you’ve put it?”

Ahsch nodded slowly. “There are some things that seem to line up - in the main, a general sense of discomfort, and a slight… sense of longing.”

“Hmm… you could be right. But you’d have to talk to them to actually find out. And even then, they might be in denial - I know I was for years.”

Ahsch nodded. “I’m sure. But should it be the case…?”

Talhort nodded firmly. “Should your servant be transgender, then yes, I would be more than willing to help them, however they need. We can consider it additional payment for the support you’re going to give.”

Ahsch nodded. “I’ll have one of the priests come by in the next few days to work out the details - while I am the Prophet, my sister, the Archpriestess, is the one who really runs the Temple, so she’s the one who will end up managing that side of things.”

“Don’t matter much to me who or how, just…” Talhort huffed a small laugh and gestured about. “You can see yourself we’re small, don’t have many of our intended customers, and while we’re willing to serve those who don’t need our more… specialized services…” he shrugged. “It’s not easy, getting word out.”

The hrafthi smiled sympathetically. “I’m sure. Perhaps that is one way the Order can assist - we are growing, and your services fit perfectly within Enochiel’s domain of bodies.”

The big bull crossed his arms, a thoughtful, hesitant frown on his face. “I’d have to talk it over with the wives. Not sure how we’d feel about being that involved with one of the orders.”

“There’s no pressure, of course. Just an idea.”

The two talked a bit longer, and then Ahsch excused himself and made his way back to the dock. The mermaid was happily lounging in the water, and perked up when he arrived. “Back to R’sath, My Lord?” she asked. “Or were you needing to head somewhere else?”

“R’sath is fine,” Ahsch replied, hopping into the little ferry. It wasn’t much long after that he was reversing the action and, as the mermaid began to hoist herself from the water to break the two gold he had left, he made a negating gesture. “Keep them both. I hardly need them.” Her eyes went wide, and she glanced at the two coins in her webbed hand hesitantly. For the almost two hours that she had waited, the usual fee would have been six silver - the ferry service itself was paid for by taxes, to enable to royals and nobles who used it easy access around the Capital, so the only cost to Ahsch would have been reserving her services to stay put in an out-of-the-way location. He was giving her over three times the usual fee.

“I-If you’re sure, My Lord…” she said, still tentatively extending the generous tip back to him. “Even just the one is almost twice the cost…”

“I’m sure. If the Order of Enochiel is too busy to see you soon, use it to see a Bikullanian service. Or treat yourself or your family. Up to you.”

The mermaid smiled widely, revealing her needle-like teeth, and bobbed her head happily. “Yes, My Lord. Thank you!”

Ahsch smiled back, then turned and walked back into R’sath. As he took the lift up, he felt the familiar brush of his sister’s mind through Daydreamweave. So… Mahat’s told me something interesting… she said.

Ahsch grunted to the empty lift. We don’t know for sure yet.

No, Ariin agreed. Nothing for sure. But still… intriguing. There was a teasing flare across their mental connection. Or should I say, intriguing? she asked.

Ahsch rolled his eyes. Quit it. First we have to see if we’re even right. Then we’d have to actually do something, and at this point, I don’t think we have the magic or mundane procedures to accomplish a total transition.

Uh-huh, Ariin agreed again. _Yup. But once we _do _confirm it, and we _can do that total transition… maybe Dorin’s hopes won’t be in vain?

Ahsch glared into the middle distance. No comment.

Hmm… his sister continued, ignoring his discomfort. I wonder what he’d look like as a girl. Thin… so maybe small tits like me? Though I think that body wouldn’t look bad with larger.

Ariin, the Dominant Mage warned. This isn’t a joking matter.

I’m not joking about Dorin, Master, she pointed out. I’m teasing about you and your preferences… which are rather wide, now that I think about it.

Ahsch shook his head, laughing with a sigh. I can’t tell you anything, can I?

Even if you don’t, she replied happily, That’s what we’ve got Mahat for.

And I’m happy to be of service! the familiar informed the twins with a mental grin.