The Laboratory of the Wizard Frogmilker
This small chamber was most certainly once a part of a traditional dungeon. The cell bars may have been removed, but the mounting points on the walls for manacles or other restraints persist. One of the reasons for a wizard to have such a dank and musty lab is clear from the incessant croaking and chirping of frogs and toads, which line the walls in deep enclosures and individual tanks. Some are in jugs, even. Aside from the amphibians, there are the usual wizardly accoutrements: tables covered in glass vials and complex tubing filled with colorful fluids, bookshelves with dusty old tomes, skulls for candle holders, a stuffed crocodilian suspended from the ceiling. A big rune-covered staff mounted in glass case on the wall is labeled: In Case of Demon, Break Glass.

Several uneventful days roll by for the eccentric Mage, Frogmilker. This has turned out to be a boon as it gave her time to consider the offer made by the rather unusual guest of the Countess, Alptraum Reisender. Having come to a decision, she sent word that she wished to speak to the unusual bat. It s now early afternoon and there's a light rapping on the door frame that leads into her laboratory. Alptraum's head then peeks around the frame as he says, "Hello? I was given a message you wished to speak with me?"

"Come in, Herr Reisender," the voice of the mage calls from within. The Eeee can even see the dim figure of the Frogmilker pacing the length of her laboratory. Her head is bent towards the floor and there is a strange look on her face, lying somewhere between chastened and worried.

Alptraum slips around the door frame and walks into the room. His steps are slow and each click of his toe claws seems to echo in the current silence. "So … how may I help you? Or if this is about me spending too much time with dangerous female Eeee, well, I have it under control," he jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

The mage stops her pacing for a moment and leans on her cane, looking at Alptraum with a quirked eyebrow. "I didn't even know that was a hobby of yours, young man," she replies. "At any rate, that's not why I asked you to come. I have decided – well, no, that's not exactly true. I have been persuaded to accept your offer of help. In regards to my… condition."

"Oh, well, then what I said was all rumor," Alptraum back pedals with a wave of his hand. He proceeds a little further into the room. Once he's near one of the pillars that hold the flooring above, he taps on it lightly with the claws of his right hand. "Persuaded? How, exactly?" the Eee inquires.

"Perhaps 'by whom' would be the better question," the Skeek answers, motioning with one hand. A stool moves itself out from under one of the laboratory tables and stops next to her. She takes a seat and looks up at Alptraum. "I had a summons this morning from the Countess. Evidently, she learned that you had devised a way to separate Georgi's spirit from my body and that I disliked the method." She shakes her head ruefully. "I don't know why I was surprised… the Countess always seems to know what goes on within this castle, down to the smallest detail."

Alptraum's brow goes up at that. "That is news to me. I had not spoken with her on the matter. I try to not bother her with issues I can resolve," the Eeee comments. He leans against the stone pillar and looks upward. "Without Gerogi agreeing, though, there is little I can do. He has to be willing to transfer. If he fights, well, the outcome would be bad for everyone involved. So, in that sense it matters not if the Countess wishes it done, what has Georgi decided?"

The Skeek falls silent for a minute, seeming to concentrate on something inward. At last, she says, "He is still wary, but I sense that he has not rejected the offer out-of-hand. I believe he simply was not aware that he could have a body of his own again, unless he had to share it with another sentient creature."

To that Alptraum nods once. "Does he have any requirements that would make him feel more comfortable about it? Not that I particularly care about his comfort, but I assume the more comfortable he is, the safer it is for you," the Eeee comments. "The whole trick of this is the creation of a new body that doesn't require sharing. It would be his and his alone. Think of it as a squatter moving into an empty house and claiming it."

The Frogmilker seems to listen again to something only she can hear. "No surprise here, but he wants a body that looks like a male Jupani, just as he was in life. And he only wants the three of us present for his 'rebirth.'" Then she frowns. "Also, he doesn't want the transformation to take place at the castle. Someplace neutral."

"He wants a safe route out. No surprise there," Alptraum comments. The Eeee leans his head back against the pillar behind him and thinks. "Two options come to mind. There is an old church that was dedicated to Sunala and Rinala that may suit the efforts. My abilities may be bolstered by being there. Or alternatively and closer, the town of Gormless. I'm sure we could just use one of abandoned buildings," he offers.

The mage rubs a temple and grimaces. "He chooses the town. I would have asked for the church, but there's his answer."

"And there is also the Crossroads town, which is closer still, and more abandoned," Alptraum adds after some more thought.

"Either of the towns suits him," the Skeek says.

"All right. Then the question is when and does he have other requirements? Such as clothing, supplies, and so on," Alptraum asks.

"He wants a suit of clothing, since he assumes his body will be formed naked, just as the other spirit's was," the mage replies. "Also, enough money to establish himself in any city he desires. And supplies for a week's worth of travel. That seems to be all."

"Clothing and food will be easy. The money may take a bit more to acquire. I am hardly an Eeee of significant means. But, I am hopeful that the Countess would be willing to provide it," Alptraum comments with a sigh and pauses to rub lightly at the back of his neck. "Is it up to me to choose a time?" he asks.

"Yes… since you are the only one who will know when you are truly ready to do this again," the mage says softly.

Alptraum pushes himself off the pillar with his wings. "All right, I will send word when I have been able to establish a time," The Eeee comments and starts his slow walk to the exit. "And one more thing," he comments as he looks over his shoulder, "Do not worry so much. Everything will work out. Just have … faith."

The Frogmilker gives Alptraum an uncertain smile, the first sign of vulnerability she has ever shown him. "You sound like the Countess now," she says. "That is also what she told me to do… well, along with learning to accept that I can't be the healer all the time." Then she sighs. "I am simply not used to being helped. I have always either provided for myself or for others. This will take some getting used to."

"Sounding like the Countess is an honor," Alptraum notes as the Eeee offers a small smile as well. "I would be lying if I said she didn't inspire me. She taught me how to have faith again, so I suppose it is only appropriate that I pass that lesson along. She taught me that everyone in their lives has to lean on another at some point. The difficult part is knowing when to lean … and knowing when to be the one leaned on. Anyway, enough being philosophical, I'm sure I sound a bit tiring. Have a good afternoon Annika, I promise to contact you soon with a time," the Eeee adds.

"Difficult, indeed," the mage echoes and pauses. Finally, she adds, "Rest well, Alptraum. You're going to need it."