Alptraum wakes up hungry – and also a bit sore. There's a weight on his chest, since Rose is half-sprawled across him on his right side – and Phlagaea across his left. He isn't even certain just when the formerly-green bat arrived, as things were a bit of a blur the night before. Apparently there is a difference between Snow's empathic lust-induction and Mave's more direct potion based one: the former doesn't help replace what's been used up. So the vampire is feeling hungry and dehydrated; not too dissimilar to having a hangover.

"Brghleptht," Alptraum says in the most intelligent way possible. This is quickly followed by, "Ow." and "Someone close the curtains." Of course, since this request isn't honored, he finally cracks open his eyes. "I'm surrounded," he claims, "And defeated. I just hope you two will show mercy on this poor soul… "

Rose grumbles a bit, while Phlagaea seems to pop to full wakefulness right away. "Good morning!" she chirps, and licks Alptraum's nose. "I am in the mood for ham and eggs and bacon and sausage and fruit and back rubs. Oh, and welcome home, Alptraum!"

"I would be happy with water, blood, or both," Alptraum claims as his nose wrinkles from the lick. "When did you get in last night? I don't quite remember," he admits, "Were we already asleep?"

"No, you were still pretty awake!" Phlagaea says with a high-pitched laugh! "And happy to see me, too. You really don't remember? And you should probably have some juice too."

"Well, I'm exhausted! My brain feels foggy," Alptraum claims and winces as the laugh feels like needles in his head. He then reaches over and gently pokes Phlagaea in her pudgy-looking stomach with a finger on his right hand. "But I'm glad you got attention last night too. I missed both of you. I'm also glad my hand doesn't gross you out since it, well, looks a bit worse. But, it's actually better. Imagine that."

"It looks all flayed," Phlagaea says. "And oozy without being wet. When did it change, and what was it like? Was it gooey?"

"Flayed, what do you mean by flayed?" Alptraum asks as he looks briefly at his hand. "And yes, it was very gooey and gross. Like a giant black-puss oozing wound. But I actually feel more with it, right down to the squirming mass under the orb. That's taking a bit to get used to."

"Flayed… you know, when you peal away the skin," Phlagaea says. "Usually of people who have offended you, naturally. And then you apply the salt and vinegar and… " Reining herself in, the Yodhgorphat stops, then says, "Anyway… it was something that happened in Babel every so often."

Also, to test the whole 'more sensitive now' part, she then licks across the back of it, from the orb to the sheath.

"That didn't feel bad. I'd ask you to do that again, but … " Alptraum says. He deliberately tries to extrude numerous tendrils of shadow from the various points of exposed shadow-flesh all the way up his forearm to wave at Phlagaea. "You might make it too excited… "

"Oh, that's so cute!" Phlagaea says and tries to wiggling her fingers against the tendrils.

"Can't you molest him somewhere else?" Rosalind grumbles. "I want to sleep for another hour."

"Somehow I knew you would like it," Alptraum admits and laughs. He decides to try something else and withdraw all of the shadow skin briefly to see if it really does expose muscle again like it had when the shell shed.

It isn't easy, since the shadow doesn't want to leave things too exposed. It works in patches though, which makes Phlagaea giggle. "The kids will have so much fun playing with that!" she claims, then looks a bit guilty and starts to slide out of the bed. "And we should let Rose rest."

Alptraum quits trying to force away the shadow and leans over to kiss Rose's forehead lightly. "Sorry. We'll go elsewhere to talk and get some food. I'll have Barnabas have something ready for you when you wake up in an hour," he tells her. Alptraum then gently untangles himself from Rosalind so he can slide out of the bed too.

Clothes are strewn all over the floor, which the housekeeping staff never seems to complain about when it (frequently) happens. Standing up, Phlagaea does look a bit pudgier in the belly and chest, certainly more than Rose does – but Phlagaea is also a bit on the petite side compared to the Sylvanians. She doesn't bother looking for anything to wear - her clothes are probably in her own room.

Alptraum looks for his own clothing. "You look quite sexy pregnant," he remarks to Phlagaea. "You both do." When he finds his pants and shirt, he collects those. "Why don't we head over to your room. Or … we could invade the Great White Menace's room and annoy her. Both would be entertaining," he claims.

"Or I could go into the kitchen naked!" Phlagaea suggests, but heads for the hall leading her own room in the suite. "Speaking of white menaces, is there an albino Sphynx up here or is it just a ghost?"

"Oh, you saw Snow. She's really a human, but I changed her into a sphynx so she could fly. It made travel easier. She's a Shrine Maiden," Alptraum explains as he grabs his belt and dagger on the way out of the royal bedroom and off to Phlagaea's suite-room.

"What's a Shrine Maiden?" Phlagaea asks. "Is that like an Acolyte?"

"Monster hunter," Alptraum clarifies, "In her case she's a Shrine Maiden of Inala and uses seduction magic to lure and trap monsters."

Phlagaea's room is… well… not messy. But very, very disorganized, with clothing and trinkets and other things piled on chairs or hanging from the walls, and the bed itself is looking a bit like a nest from all of the blankets and the way they're arranged.

"Did she seduce you?" the Yodhgorphat has to ask, with a somewhat jealous expression.

"I see you're nesting … and still a bit lazy in cleaning," Alptraum teases as he starts pulling on his pants. "And yes, she did. It's her job. In trade for the practice she has been teaching me how to better use the auras I gained when I joined with the Shadow Dragon."

"Can you use them better?" Phlagaea asks, as she digs out a flannel robe to wear. "And… you were attracted to a human?"

"I'm attracted to unusual. She's very unusual," Alptraum notes as he pulls his shirt on. And in a test of if he is controlling his auras better, he tries to catch Phlagaea's eyes and without saying anything, he curls his finger to invite her over, then motions to the floor before him to see if he can get her to kneel, much like he did with Snow that one night.

Phlagaea comes over, looks down at the floor, then looks back up at Alptraum. "I thought you were hungry?" she asks.

"Apparently I'm not using them very well this morning," Alptraum complains and then shrugs. "And I am hungry."

"You were… I thought you wanted me to get down so you could rub my back!" Phlagaea says, a little indignantly, and then wags her finger at Alptraum. "It's not nice to try and trick your loved ones like that. And you'd better have it perfected by the time the babies come, because it would be really handy to have."

"May I remind you that you took me through a deathtrap dungeon as a date," Alptraum points out and grins. "And hopefully I'll still be alive when that day comes. Rose has told me I have to go settle some things in Babel soon."

"That wasn't a date," Phlagaea notes, as she straightens Alptraum's shirt a bit. "Going to the Blakatball game was our first date. The temple thing was just a tour!"

"Oh and that reminds me. How do you feel about meeting a bunch of gypsies?" Alptraum asks Phlagaea. "Namely the ones that raised me… "

"Your parents?" Phlagaea asks, looking excited. "You'll take me to see them? And tell them about our children?" She rubs her belly in emphasis.

"Well, I've been considering it," Alptraum admits and rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably. "I'm not sure how to explain it to them, though. You being a priestess and all the complications."

"What complications?" Phlagaea demands. "Is it about not being married? We can get married! And we're both blessed by our respective Kindly Ones, so it's not like our being together is weird."

"Er, except I'm engaged to Rosalind," Alptraum says weakly and takes a step back. He rubs his forehead, not quite sure what to say.

The brown bat seems confused, and then asks, "You can't have multiple wives in Sylvania?"

"I'm honestly not sure," Alptraum admits. The bat blinks and ponders for a moment. "Have you and Rosalind been keeping each other, ah, company when I'm away?"

"We spend lots of time together, and are good friends," Phlagaea says, smiling. "It's nice having an older woman with practical experience to talk to. And I think she appreciated my suggestion of cultivating toxic gasses to drop on invading forces, because it can double as fertilizer… "

"Well, it's something we'll have to discuss with her, then, on what the required protocols are," Alptraum offers. "And oh, something interesting and new! I can shape shift people like she does. With the shadow. With help I can even change myself."

"That is… uh… " Phlagaea says, going from excited to confused. "What's what good for, exactly? Does it hurt? Can you make them smell better?"

"Disguises. Gifting abilities like flight. Turning enemies into hogs. Changing gender, that sort of thing," Alptraum explains and shrugs. "And no, it doesn't hurt at all. It's … rather pleasant."

"How do you… I mean, it's not like changing clothes, right?" the woman asks, starting to look lost. "I have a hard time imagining what would be involved. I mean, I know bodies are complicated things, which is why you have to find just the right diseases to challenge them properly, so changing a body must be really complicated!"

"Extremely. I have to have an … imprint to work from," Alptraum explains, "And it takes a lot of time and effort. Since you're pregnant I can't show you, though. Too dangerous."

"You said you transformed the Shrine Maiden ghost girl though," Phlagaea notes. "Is she going to be like that now forever?"

"No, she'll revert to normal without me re-enforcing the form every few days. I'm not as powerful as a true shadow dragon," Alptraum explains.

"How do you do that?" Phlagaea asks next. "And what if the person is ill? Will they still be ill after you change them?"

"How do I do what? Re-enforce it? I have to extend the shadow and act as if I'm changing them again, only this time less has to be changed," Alptraum explains. "I'm not sure what would happen if they're ill, though. Do you actually want to see it?"

"I want breakfast first," Phlagaea notes. "But I'd like to see it!"

"Well, I can demonstrate on myself, I guess? Is there any particular kind of change you want to see?" Alptraum asks as he heads to the door and holds it open for her. "And breakfast awaits!"

"Can you make yourself into two people?" Phlagaea asks with a grin. "Or maybe, to save time when you're here with me and Rose, one man with two… " She bursts into giggles then, as they head out the door.

"No, I can't turn into two people!" Alptraum laughs as he follows Phlagaea out. "I could turn into you, Mave, Snow, Dcotor Twig, Rina the Skreek, or a hog. Those are the forms I have imprints for… " he explains as they head to the kitchen.

Breakfast is entertaining, since Alptraum hardly ever gets to actually eat with Phlagaea. Now that her bouts of morning sickness have passed, the Yodhgorphat overcompensates with a sudden fondness for greasy food, and nearly has a bowel-related accident from laughing too hard when Alptraum 'eats' some of her sausages with his hand. He himself has a nice blood-based meal, of course; the first 'prepared' vampire meal he's had since leaving Castle Sturmandrang. After feeding off Snow for so many days, it's a little disappointing when the bowl doesn't wiggle or make noises.

Once the meal is over, however, Phlagaea really has to excuse herself, leaving Alptraum temporarily on his own to face Mave.

As always, the Yodhinala's door is open. Alptraum knocks, and calls, but gets no response – even though he can hear someone breathing in there. Risking a peek reveals the Yodhinala naked on her bed, sitting cross-legged in some sort of meditative pose with her arms and wings stretching up towards the ceiling.

Alptraum slips in quietly and closes the door behind himself. For now he is content to watch Mave and see just what she is up to. He doesn't want to interrupt anything important, after all.

The white Eeee is taking slow, deep breaths, which have an impressive effect on her anatomy. Eventually, her arms come down in sweeping arcs until the backs of her hands are resting on the bed, followed by the folding of her wings. Then she opens her eyes and notices Alptraum. "You have returned, Barsunala!" she says. "Was your mission successful?"

"Yes, and in some rather unexpected ways as well," Alptraum says. "I hope I am not interrupting an important meditation?"

"I was only bringing myself to proper arousal through prayer," Mave notes with a smile, and pats the spot on the bed next to her. "Regale me with your adventures – such as how you have shed the armor from your hand."

"Proper arousal? Are you expecting a worshiper, then? I can come back another time," Alptraum offers as he walks over to the bed and sits beside Mave. He does lay his right hand, palm down, in Mave's lap should she care to examine it.

The priestess runs her fingertips across the altered hand, and says, "No, it is merely something that brings me closer to Inala. Since you no longer cover this, is it now more sensitive? Take off your shirt so I can see the entirety of it, please?"

Alptraum undoes the collar of his shirt and then the cinches on the sleeves, then pulls his shirt completely off and sets it aside. "Oh, yes. I can feel better than when my hand was normal," Alptraum states, "And I can feel with my shadow extrusions now, too. It came about because I stressed the shadow extensively by, ah, transforming people. They asked me to, I didn't force it. The extensive work improved the link somehow."

After exploring all of the changed flesh and turning the hand over to check the palm, Mave nods and says, "It is an improvement then. You will enjoy touching things more now. I sense you've had a busy night as well. Homecomings can be quite the times for celebration and renewing bonds, can't they?" The white Eeee gives a knowing grin.

"Indeed. It was quite … tiring," Alptraum agrees and even laughs slightly at it. And of course because he can't resist the urge, he tries to extend several tendrils of the shadow to briefly feel up Mave's thighs and other, ah, exposed areas. "How have you been in my absence?" he asks.

Mave quirks an eyebrow at the exploring tendrils. "Perhaps not too exhausting, then?" she asks. "I have been preparing for my eventual return to Babel, and monitoring the progress of your mates' pregnancies – which are both going normally."

Alptraum leaves the tendrils 'exploring' for now. "What have you been preparing for your return to Babel? Anything I should be aware of?" he asks, "You're not going to try and enslave me again, are you?" The last bit has a teasing smile attached to it, at least. "And I'm glad to hear they are both going well. Given both of their, ah, conditions, I worry."

"It is normal for a father to worry," Mave says. "The risk of bodily injury during birth is very high for him. And I have been preparing… myself. I have no need to enslave you, Alptraum, for I know you will help me."

"Disappointing. I was expecting you to try," Alptraum teases and continues to grin. "And oh, I have a few matters I do need to discuss with you. Did you get a list of eligible nobles?"

"Oh yes," Mave says, leaning closer to seem more conspiratorial. "I have even rated them on skill, naivete and wealth."

"Excellent. When can I have it?" Alptraum asks as he leans in as well. "And … how interested would you be in surprising a black fox who doesn't believe someone like you can exist?"

"A black fox?" Mave asks, tilting her head. "A true fox, of Exile stock, and pure black? And as for the list… well, what will you give me for it?"

"Well, what do you want for it?" Alptraum asks warily. "And yes. He's a childhood friend of mine, his name is Hexen. He is in town with the gypsy troupe."

"Perhaps just an offering to Inala, on behalf or your Mother?" Mave asks, leaning more until she's nose to nose with Alptraum. "Hexen… Yes, I'd like to meet him. He sounds… fun."

"Hmm, perhaps," Alptraum considers, "That is easier than … er."

"I know you are tired," Mave says, reaching up to cup Alptraum's cheek, "but Inala appreciates a gentle touch as well as a passionate one. And I feel that you've been touched by her recently as well."

"You wished me to worship at her alter now?" Alptraum asks, blinking a bit, "I didn't realize you were thinking, well, right now. I can offer that, certainly. Would you like for me to make my hand more … attractive first?"

"Show me what your hand can do now," Mave agrees, looking curious.

Alptraum holds up his right hand and furrows his brow. The imprint he brings forward for it, is, of course, Mave's. White-furred and more 'delicate'.

The Yodhinala laughs, and then feels the transformed hand. "Very nicely done," she says. "You did this from the kenning, I take it?"

Alptraum nods. "My skill with using what I learned from kenning has improved considerably. If you see a pale sphynx in the castle, well, she was a former human I changed so she could fly. It is not permanent, though. I was going to see if you wished to see her, since she is a shrine Maiden of Inala," Alptraum explains.

"A… Shrine Maiden of Inala?" Mave asks, sounding oddly suspicious. "That is the Sylvanian version of a Yodhinala, isn't it?"

"In a sense, yes. They use Inala's gifts to hunt monsters," Alptraum explains.

"Ah, as I did in the forest," Mave says. "Is that all they do?"

"No, but that is their primary role," Alptraum says.

"I would like to meet her then," Mave says. "This castle will need someone to take my place, after all – should I remain in Babel."

"There is the possibility you may not remain there? You would follow me back?" Alptraum asks as his ears flick a bit.

"I do not know the situation in Babel with regards to my Order," Mave says. "And I am not able to see into the future."

"You do know you are always welcome to go where I do. I know we've had moments of conflict, but I like to think we've become good allies by now," Alptraum says and smiles. "Though I know I am certainly not as pleasant to be around as many better-looking Eeee… "

"Really, Alptraum," Mave says, still stroking his now-white arm, "all Eeee are pleasant in the company of a Yodhinala."

"Phlagaea described my arm as 'flayed-looking'," Alptraum points out, "I'm well aware I am not entirely … pleasant to the eye."

"You are the son of Sunala," Mave points out. "And with men, it is more presence than presentation that matters."

"Well, I like to have decent presentation too!" Alptraum claims, then laughs and shakes his head. "So, you wish me to help you worship this morning in payment for the list? Will you be available this afternoon to go meet Hexen?" he asks as he lays back on the bed.

"We should worship now, and I will have the list for you later when you are recovered enough to visit your friend," Mave says. "I assume you have other things to do involving the gypsies?"

"Several," Alptraum agrees, "Old friends, old family. Mischief. Maybe a little chaos." He grins.

"Youthful good times, in other words?" Mave says, before relieving Alptraum of his pants.

"Indeed! I shouldn't need to change shape at least, I'll save that for something later," Alptraum says as he wiggles his toes, then uses his feet to playfully pull Mave down on top of him. "And if you're good," he whispers in Mave's ear, "I can finally fulfill one of your longtime desires some night… "

"Alptraum… really… " Mave says coyly. "If I'm good? I am the best at what I do."

"You have to be extra good for what I would do for you," Alptraum teases.

"I don't think you can resist showing off to me, actually," Mave says, and then starts doing things to Alptraum. It's good that he has full sensation in his right hand… but now he feels things the way Mave does through her hand. She has a much more sensitive body than he realized.

The sounds Alptraum makes are … varied and interesting. During a moment when he's probably not thinking quite as clearly as he should be, he actually whispers to Mave, "I can now take on your form completely. You can finally have your desire fulfilled." He doesn't even realize he'll likely regret that later. No, right now the altar of Inala is a bit too … engrossing to think about much else.

"I'll remember that," she whispers back to him. Maybe she also realizes he can change others into Maves as well.

And thus goes the remainder of the morning. Alptraum in the clutches of a devious and sneaky woman. Perhaps it'll soften the uncomfortableness of facing his parents about Rosalind … and even Phlagaea, later. Likely not, but hey, allow the bat his moments of delusion; it keeps him from running screaming…