Several more days pass a Castle Sturmandrang while everyone gets used to their new bodies and abilities. Once Dr. Twig is able to walk again, she brings out the alien scanning device and checks over Alptraum's newly-altered forearm. There doesn't appear to be anything that wasn't there before, and altering its shape between the various kenned forms reveals that the Eeee's underlying bones don't change, except for the claws – most markedly in the case of the Khatta (or really, Sphynx) hand with its retractable claws.

It's also decided to not 'refresh' Teeny Reeny's form, so that they can all observe what happens when the creature tries to revert back to a lizard. The only indicator of change, at first, is the fur returning to scales, but then the animal went into a comatose state while the rest of its body reverted to normal. After two days of this, it woke up with a large appetite but none the worse for wear. The fact that it wasn't conscience for the majority of the changes came as a relief to the gender-switched Rina and Dr. Twig, and meant that Alptraum wouldn't need to reverse the changes himself when the time came.

While the changes didn't affect the overall personalities of Rina and Twig, Alptraum began to notice subtle changes in Snow. As a Sphynx, she was acting a bit more flirty and teasing – but that could also just be from being around Alptraum so long now that she was more comfortable with him. She had assured him that even transformed, she could still consciously sense his aura and not be affected by it if she so chose.

Igorina and Snow were both progressing in their flying lessons, and reported the same phenomena: once they managed to get airborne, it seemed that the muscles just started taking over as if they knew how to fly all on their own. This also preserved the hog supply, since Kaira didn't need to manifest to continue flight training after that. Dr. Twig thought this was due to some spirit-energy feedback or genuine muscle-memory, and spent an entire afternoon using his bizarre device to study everyone's brain – although in the end he couldn't come to a solid conclusion.

Once Snow felt confident enough that she could handle long-distance flying, the time came to leave the Castle and bring the canopic jar and purified crystal heart to Azrael.

"Well, it has certainly been … interesting," Alptraum claims as he shakes transformed-Rina and transformed Twig's hands, "But I must head on and get the final repairs done to this crystal Time is always ticking for whom it is intended. Pity I couldn't stay longer, as perhaps I would have gotten a chance to try try out Twig's new body, eh?" The grin that follows is typical for him, a fangy, and possibly worrying, show of amusement.

"Yes, well," Twig squeaks and clears her throat. "I'm sure you'll be back to pick up Mistress Toadstool's wagon and dray… and to check and make sure we haven't melted or anything!"

Igorina gives Alptraum a hug and a kiss, despite being in Twig's old body.

"Why Twig, is than an invitation?" Alptraum asks and even traces one of his claws along the Skreek's cheek. The hug and kiss from Rina causes a bit of a start, then Alptraum ends up laughing and admits, "I probably deserved that."

"Hey, I let you… drink my blood," Twigette notes with a blush. "Are you all charged up on hogs? Got warm clothes? Sunglasses?"

Snow does show off her sunglasses – one of Twig's own pairs, since her old ones were made for a human head.

Alptraum rolls his shoulders, then kisses Twigette. "I think I'm charged enough," he notes as he looks down at his currently Khatta-hand once he lets go. "And my clothes will do fine in this weather, not to mention I'm used to the dreariness of it all. To Snow he notes, "And if you need to stop any time, just shout. I'll hear it."

"I should be fine, so long as we find a roadhouse or old barn or cave by dawn," the now-Sphynx says. Her eyes are still extra-sensitive to sunlight, after all.

"Something snug and … cosy?" Alptraum teases and even pokes Snow's side lightly. "And, do I need to re-enforce any of you before I go? Twigette, Rina, do you want to remain as you are longer, perhaps?"

"As fun as it is, I'm not getting any work done," Twigette notes, a bit quietly. "If you come back to check on us, we may want extensions then."

"I want to be a Sphynx next too," Rina claims.

Alptraum's brow arches. "So, are you telling me you like it?" he asks.

"Ahem, there are numerous avenues of research this state opens," Twigette claims. "I would be remiss not to explore them all while I had the opportunity!"

"Well, I envy both of you. I can't change myself," Alptraum notes and then shrugs. "And sphynx it is for you next time, Rina. I promise. After all, both of you I'm sure want to study the long term affects of a symbiotic relationship with a shadow creature."

"Oh yes. I've even come up with a daily test to see if we're turning evil!" Twigette says proudly. "It involves cheese."

"Hey, are you implying that I'm evil?" Alptraum asks.

"No, of course not," Twigette says, grabbing her own tail in her hands. "Just that it's something to watch for. Behavioral changes tied to physical form are a valid thing to study, don't you think?"

"True! Snow has been acting a little strange," Alptraum agrees and nods, "And are you then implying Skreeks are evil?"

"She's just implying that my Skreek body is evil," Rina says, grinning fangily. "I think it's just an excuse to eat all my favorite cheeses though! Which isn't so bad since they do come across a little in the flavor of her blood… "

Alptraum just laughs. "I think this should be a yearly thing, where you two change for a week or so. You both seem to enjoy it a lot," the Eeee says and then looks skyward. "And I think we should be going. It's a long haul to Azrael and frankly, he's not pleasant to visit." Alptraum then pauses and suddenly snaps his fingers, adding, "And oh, I also need the device you borrowed from him. I promised to return it."

"Oh, right!" Twig says, and scurries up to the lab to retrieve the reliquary.

"So … is she good?" Alptraum actually asks Rina and winks.

"It's my body, so of course she is," Rina says. "And hopefully Twig has learned a few things for use later… "

"Well, have you learned a few things from being well?" Alptraum asks and waves at Rina.

"I've learned that Twig lied about how much rest he needs!" Rina laughs.

"He needs less, or more?" Alptraum asks. "I'm guessing less… "

Before long, Twig has returned with a leather satchel containing the Reliquary of St. Gorm, and is looking a little puzzled as well.

"Something wrong?" Alptraum asks as he holds out his hand for the satchel.

Handing it over, the Skreek notes, "I was hoping I could figure how to just appear behind you. But I suppose that's not a built-in feature of this body."

"Well, I could re-enforce you as you are and then Rina would revert before you … and could give you lessons on being a Skreek," Alptraum jokes.

"Hah! Family secrets," Rina claims. "Maybe if you change back first, I'll teach you how to get rid of your lisp."

"Tongue practice, I'm betting," Alptraum whispers to Snow…

The Sphynx nods back knowingly. "I can imagine what kind, too… "

"You should, I've practiced on you," Alptraum says, grins, and then nudges Snow. "Well, it has been fun and I wish I could have joined all of you in the experience … but my abilities don't permit it. And … we should be going. I hope the both of you have a good time until we meet again. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting both of you."

The Doctor and his assistant wave their farewells, and the Eeee and Sphynx are soon flying off into the waning light of evening…

The flight takes several days as Alptraum follows the route Mort showed him, which seems to bounce between various bizarre and ominously named landmarks and areas. They're only able to find rooms at inns and roadhouses for the first few days, and after that daytime shelter has gone downhill. Snow never complains about roughing it – but she does seem to torment the bat by giving herself luxurious, spine-bending tongue baths when forced to hole up in ruins and caves (and once an enormous hollowed out tree trunk). Eventually, they arrive at their destination…

Off in the distance, past the hump that is The Belly of the Beast, is the hazy shape of the Throne of Bones.

"You know, if you're going to bathe like you have been, you could let me touch you," Alptraum remarks from where he hangs upside down from the Tree of Woe and stares off into the distance towards thee throne.

"I would have bathed you if you'd asked," Snow offers. "But… your fur is much thicker and I don't know how to deal with hairballs yet."

Alptraum laughs. "So, do you like the body?" he asks, "Better than your normal one?"

"It's a lot more flexible," Snow admits with a grin, and removes her sunglasses in the dark gloom of the swamp. "So, where to from here? I can barely see through this murk."

"If you really liked it. I might be able to arrange for it to be made permanent," Alptraum offers, "It's out of my ability, but not out of the ability of another." The Eeee then points ahead, saying, "There is a throne ahead. The Throne of Bone. We could probably fly to it, or take the Reaper path."

"I'm not a Reaper though," the Shrine Maiden points out. "Is there any danger in flying? I… dislike… getting my feet wet in this body, for some reason."

"I have no idea if there is any danger in taking the aerial route. The underground one is messy. There is the screaming pit and corpse way, and the massive graveworm way which involves lots of slime," Alptraum explains.

"Are you saying that to put me off the whole tongue-bath thing?" Snow asks, sticking out her tongue. "Slime isn't so bad when you don't have fur, but now… I'd rather fly."

"You didn't answer my first question," Alptraum remarks as he pulls himself upright onto the branch he was hanging from.

"I'm not ready to be a Sphynx forever," Snow finally replies.

"But you're considering it some day?" Alptraum asks. "Not that it matters. Since you know me, you can be that whenever you want, more or less."

The woman nods within her cowl. "I may want children someday – and for that I need to be human. And find someone to father them, of course."

"I can't help you there," Alptraum says, "But given how pretty you are, I doubt you would have any problems finding someone. So, shall we head towards the throne? I'll warn you now, the host is not pleasant."

"Let's go, then," Snow says, spreading her wings and launching towards the shadowy structure in the distance.

Alptraum launches into the air and moves to fly just before Snow so that he can use sonar to make sure they don't fly into anything.

Flying over the Belly of the Beast is much, much easier than going through it. The familiar heavy door is where Alptraum remembers it to be; between the huge leg-bones of the titanic skeleton.

Snow immediately goes to examine the composite structure of the giant bones, and seems almost disappointed to find they are made of regular-sized bones all stuck together.

"Azrael's servant is Ysnor, I believe, a rather unpleasant Skreek. Fitting to go with an unpleasant Master. Now, before we enter, I need you to do something for me," Alptraum says as his tow-claws catch earth and he lands near the door.

"What, here on the doorstep?" Snow asks teasingly.

"Well, if you're up for it," Alptraum counters and moves his hands to his waist. The next thing he does, though, is stick out his tongue. "I need t you to pay extra attention to what you feel here. Azrael is a demon possessing a body. He's also very good at hiding what he is from the senses. I want to see if you can learn anything from him. I learned little," he explains.

This causes Snow's eyebrows and ears to perk. "A genuine demon?" she asks. "I'll be certain to pay close attention."

"Yes, a genuine demon. I'm only sort of like one," Alptraum jokes. He does take a moment to steal a quick kiss from Snow's lips before he goes and wraps his furred right hand upon the door. "Graveyard-scout cookies for sale! Free eyeball with every order!" he calls out.

There is a hurried shuffling of feet heard through the door, and then bolts and latches being thrown. "Have you got the oneth with peanut but… oh, it'th you again," Ysnor says. The shabbily dressed hunchback is also wearing a neck-to-ankle apron, all in black with 'Kith the Cook' embroidered on it in bright pink.

"It's me. I have the purified crystal and the reliquary!" Alptraum declares, "Aren't you proud of me? I also brought a friend with me." He motions towards Snow.

The Sphynx waggles her fingers at the curious little Skreek. "I'm a Shrine Maiden of Inala," she says. This causes Ysnor to try to stand up straighter. He even spits into his palm and tries to slick back his unruly hair… but only manages to make it look slimier.

"Yeth, yeth, welcome to the Lair of Mathter Azrael the Arcane," Ysnor says, and gestures for the pair to come inside.

"Now you're polite," Alptraum accuses Ysnor as he enters. "What, I'm not cute enough?"

"I have high thtandardth," Ysnor remarks with a snicker, as he secures the door behind them and picks up the lamp. The hall is just as Alptraum remembers it, leading to the central pentagonal room with a spiral staircase. "The Mathter ith in hith laboratory," the servant notes, pointing up.

"Do you have a room we can share for the night?" Alptraum asks and motions towards Snow and himself. "And is he terribly busy, or can I go up and see him?"

"We were jutht baking thome fudge," Ysnor notes, then looks between Alptraum and Snow almost broken-heartedly at the request for a single room. "And yeth, I can make the guetht room ready again. I'm thure the Mathter will thee you now," the Skreek says, motions for the others to go up the stairs first.

"Sorry, she belongs to me," Alptraum says grins at Snow. "But if she agrees to it, she's also welcome to spend time with you… "

"What?" Snow asks Alptraum, looking terrified. "That's… okay. And I'd better bring up the rear too, otherwise Ysnor would be looking up my robe and might drop the lantern or something."

"I have a very thtrong grip!" Ysnor claims desperately.

"You could walk ahead of me so I could look up your robe," Alptraum offers, grinning. "But whatever you want is fine with me. Let's head up… "

The third floor contains the laboratory, with all of its spinning, sparking and burping devices and tubes full of glowing goo. The robed and ancient figure of Azrael is sliding a pan into a stone oven just as everyone arrives. "Falthe alarm, Mathter," Ysnor says. "It wath really the new Reaper and hith girlfriend."

"Ah, Alptraum my lad," the old demon says, giving his guests a yellowed grin. "And extra!" he adds, bowing to Snow.

"False Alarm? Fearing peasants with pitchforks?" Alptraum asks as he lifts the satchel off his shoulder containing the reliquary. "And I am also a bearer of good news, I recovered your reliquary! I also purified the crystal and found the urn you wanted. I do wish you would have told me a giant tree would try to kill me, though."

"There's was a giant tree?" Azrael asks, blinking rheumy eyes. He makes his customary old-man-gimme-gimme gestures after he takes off his oven mitts and sets them on a (mostly clear) worktable. "Let's have a look! Oh, and you didn't happen to bring any cherries did you?"

"No cherries. No prunes, either," Alptraum answers as he first hands over the reliquary, then unhooks the other flight-satchel containing the url and the purified heart from his waist.

After checking that the Reliquary is undamaged, Azrael sets it aside. "Very good; Twig didn't break it," he says, and asks for the urn next.

"He also said he couldn't get it to do anything," Alptraum says as he hands over the urn. "One urn, full of dragon bits," he says.

"Hmmmm," Azrael goes, turning the urn over and about with his bony hands. He sniffs at it, and gives it a few licks too, which nearly makes Snow gag in response. "The bloody scroll got it wrong," the Arch-Reaper complains as he sets the urn down on the table. "This doesn't have a dragon on the stopper! Typical. You'd think someone would be more concerned about accuracy transcribing a person's dying words."

Alptraum seems to want to ask more about that, but instead just sighs and shakes his head. The last thing he produces is the purified crystal. This he is careful about holding in his left hand, even in its current state as he offers it over. "And one purified crystal," he concludes.

Even Azrael is a bit more careful as he takes the ancient heart. He holds it up to a candle to examine the cracks… and licks it, of course. "Ah, very good," he finally comments, clucking a bit. "Did holding it in the spring make your hand change into a Khatta's though?"

"Ah, no," Alptraum explains and shrugs. As to how his hand changed, he doesn't seem compelled to explain any further. "Snow held it in the pool, I couldn't touch it."

"What, why couldn't you?" Azrael asks. "What was the reaction?"

"Because I'm possessed. You already knew that. Touching a spring of purification is painful for me," Alptraum answers.

"Really? Hmmm," Azrael says, rubbing his chin. "I shall make note of that! I suppose nobody with a symbiotic spirit ever went there… or else went and never came back to mention it. Ah!" He suddenly points at Snow, and says, "You're a Shrine Maiden, right?"

The girl nods slowly.

"And your hand… " he says to Alptraum, "… it's just a Khatta skin you pull over the shell, is that it? Very clever… "

"And the Khatta hand is just a good form to carry. My hand's natural state is not very attractive, as you already knew," Alptraum adds. His ears splay at the comment about Snow and he looks to her. "And yes, she is a shrine maiden. We're allies."

"You can change the way it looks?" Azrael asks, and tries to poke Alptraum's hand with a claw.

Alptraum flashes his own claws retractable in response to the poke. "It's usage of a Shadow Dragon ability, yes," Alptraum explains, "Limited, but effective."

"I don't remember you doing that before," Azrael comments. "Did you tell me about it last time? No… no… ah! You had the dragon pop out!"

"I have been familiarizing myself with my abilities. That's all. Practice improves all things," Alptraum answers.

"Hmmm, we should try… " Azrael mutters, then pauses and looks around behind him and under the table. Once he's satisfied that nobody is ready to jump out at him, he calls out, "Ysnor!"

"Yeth Mathter?" the Skreek replies from where he was apparently hiding behind Alptraum the whole time.

"Try what?" Alptraum asks as one of his brows arches slightly. Of course the appearance of the rat causes Alptraum to jump! The Eeee then promptly glares at the Skreek.

"Igor… Ysnor… bring me… the pickle jar!" Azrael says in an ominous tone, holding one bony hand aloft. "The one that doesn't have the hog-feet in it or pears in it," he then adds.

"Why do you need a pickle jar?" Alptraum asks. He glances to Snow to see if she has any input.

"Pickle jar?" Snow mutters.

"I should have done this last time, but I was really thinking about plums and it slipped my mind," the old Khatta notes. Ysnor returns with a gallon-sized glass jar, and then spends another half-minute trying to get the lid off. POP "Here you are, Mathter!" the hunchback says, setting the jar on the table and stepping back.

Alptraum gives Snow an 'I have no idea' look. "What exactly do you need that for?" he asks.

Azrael reaches his left hand into the jar and rummages about, kicking up a swirl of… stuff. Finally he pulls out an extremely wrinkled pickle. "Oh, just a simple experiment, my lad! Nothing to be afraid of," he claims, and then sets the pickle on the table with a flourish and makes a sort of 'ta-da' gesture with his hands.

"It's a pickle," Alptraum says flatly. "A very wrinkled pickle."

"It smells like vinegar," Snow comments, covering her nose with the sleeve of her cloak.

"Yes! It is a pickle," Azrael confirms. "Now, would you please pick it up with your left hand, Alptraum?"

Alptraum reaches over and tries to pick up the pickle with his left hand. "Snow can lick my hands clean later," he says…

Other than getting his fingers vinegary, the pickle doesn't do anything else. "Ah, hmmm," Azrael says, leaning in close. "Now… carefully transfer it to your right hand, would you?"

"What were you expecting?" Alptraum asks with a rather confused (and possibly annoyed) expression. The Eeee then shrugs slightly and carefully places the pickle in the palm of his right hand.

Almost immediately, the soft pad of the Khatta hand reverts back to shadow-skin, which then starts to wrinkle and stiffen! It doesn't hurt, but it isn't comfortable either.

"Gah!" Alptraum complains and drops the pickle, then proceeds to rub the palm of his hand. "What was that for?"

Once the last traces of pickle-juice are rubbed away, the affected skin turns back into a Khatta's palm-pad.

"Aha, it must be the vinegar!" Azrael says, snatching the pickle back and licking it before returning it to the jar. "Iron I understand, but vinegar? Murray had a fear of pickles you know, and it just never made sense to me. And of course you can't preserve Black Heart zombies in giant jars of vinegar like you can with regular zombies. Have to use oil, which has unfortunate side-effects, like extreme flammability… "

Alptraum sighs and lets his hand revert back to its default state, the metal-like latticework with the smooth shadow-skin patches. "So you're saying I'm allergic to vinegar too? Or is that more a reaction from some lingering memory from the Shadow Dragon?"

"And, er, do you have a Black Heart zombie?" Alptraum adds.

"Oh my, that's much more stylish than the old chitin plates," Azrael says of Alptraum's hand. "As for the effect… well, I suppose it could be an allergy unique to Murray. You could ask Melusine, and of course she won't give you a straight answer if she'd be exposing some weakness. Try to avoid pickles and vinegar, I'd say. And I no longer possess any Black Heart zombies since… the nutmeg fiasco." Upon uttering the last few words, Azrael gives Ysnor a glare, and the Skreek quickly takes up the pickle jar and exits to a different part of the lab.

"Pity. I wanted to see if it would react to me," Alptraum remarks and shrugs. He also cant help but idly rub the back of his hand, his thumb 'massaging' part of the squirming mass he can reach beneath the orb. "Now, about the heart. What must be done to completely fix it? I believe you have everything required?" he asks.

Azrael nods, saying, "Yes, the dragon-carnoran will need to be prepared and then the ritual can be performed. It would be helpful if we could use your pet dragon as an altar also, but not required. If it were me, I wouldn't want to be an altar… "

"No, she wouldn't, but I can ask her. How long will the preparation take? I may need some time to negotiate," Alptraum says and shrugs.

"It will take a few hours to render down the… " Azrael starts to say, and then unceremoniously breaks the seal on the canopic jar and yanks out a coiled, forked tongue at least four-feet long. "Tongue. Good choice. All muscle you know… "

"The tongue is a great organ," Alptraum agrees and gives gives Snow a look. "Will you need help with the work, or would it be better for us to retire to a room for a bit to give you some peace?"

"You can relax," Azrael says. "Arcane matters are best left to the professionals, after all." He then raises his bony arms to the roof, and makes a grand gesture while intoning, "Ysnor… prepare the sausage grinder!"

"I'm not a professional? I am the original Reaper," Alptraum points out, sounding somehow annoyed and relieved. "Anyway, which room shall the Shrine Maiden and I use to relax and rest?"

"Oh, the thame room ath before," Ysnor says, hurrying over to the work table with a cleaver and a bucket. "It thould be the one thath unlocked!"

"Do you want to watch or go with me?" Alptraum asks Snow and nods slightly towards the odd couple. "I don't think they'll accost you. Much."

"I'll stick with you," Snow notes. "I don't want to get hit with any flying bits of … tongue."

"Not even mine?" Alptraum whispers to Snow as he puts his arm around her waist and escorts her out of the workshop before it gets really disgusting.

"I'm just a little worried," Snow whispers as the start down the stairs.

"About what?" Alptraum asks as they descend towards the room Alptraum stayed in previously. "I don't have a lot of choice in dealing with the crazy demon."

"It's just that with all this ritual preparation… " Snow says gesturing towards the ceiling, "do you think they'll forget and burn the fudge?"

Alptraum rubs his forehead. "Dagh, they will! And they'll blame us!" The Eeee abruptly leaves Snow as he dashes back up the stairs, screaming at the top of his voice, "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge!"