Cataract
Relatively high up in the border mountains and north of the capitol, this hamlet is perched above a deep ravine that roars with the rushing of water. The source of the river is a cleft in the cliff face, where the water sprays outward violently – and gives the community its name. A single wide stone bridge spans the ravine, the town's only connection to the rest of Draco County.

It's taken a few hours to fly this far from Castle Draco, and Alptraum's wing muscles are beginning to burn. Tulani has had an easier time of it, since her wings are better suited for soaring. Plus, she's been working out every day to bring her wings back up to full strength. She also has the map that Lilith gave the pair, showing the best air route to take to the village where her sources say that Alptraum's gypsy troupe is currently staying.

"I am out of shape," Alptraum complains as his wings burn. He's also actively resisting using the shadow to sooth the burn; though at the moment he seems to be slipping and Tulani can see a black oil-slick start to spread over the joints where his wings connect to his back and shoulders. "Are you sure it's this far out?" he calls back to the Sphynx.

"Yes! I'm sure the directions on the map indicated this distance, and I can see a bridge up ahead!" Tulani calls out to the Eee as she focuses on the air currents flowing about, using them to make flight quite a bit easier for herself. The Sphynx is wearing her new flight-harness, in order to break the leather in a bit and get used to wearing it.

"How's the harness working for you?" Alptraum calls out as he seems to be getting his second wind (or he's just getting used to the burn). The inky slick of 'liquid' covers much of the backs of his shoulders and partway up his wings … but it doesn't seem to be going any further … yet. He also hasn't noticed it yet. He's wearing, well, his more general travel clothing today, though it is a bit more upscale than he used to wear … and his hair is still groomed and tied back into a Rhian-tail to keep it in order. He's also trapped on both gloves today as well. Before leaving, Alptraum had told Tulani that he wasn't sure he would tell his adoptive family quite what happened to him. Not yet, anyway.

"Oh it's great!, it really does give some nice support to my back in flight! Oh, and you seem to be leaking a bit of shadow there Alptraum! On your back," Tulani calls out, not sounding too worried since the oily substance doesn't seem to be involuntarily spreading. The Sphynx herself is wearing her own light traveling gear; not particularly fancy but serviceable, clean and tidy. She seems to have been trying to maintain her neatness since that grooming Lilith set up.

The bridge is much closer now, along with the roar. A field forms the village commons, with a few puffy Rughrats grazing around a collection of painted wagons.

"What?" Alptraum calls out and looks over his shoulder … and the next few moments end up rather ungraceful. "Dagh!" he shouts and flaps frantically … and nearly drops like a rock. Gritting his teeth and growling softly, he makes the slick retreat from his wings and the muscle burn returns in full-force. "I have to watch that," Alptraum admits weakly, "It's an involuntary reaction to pain. The shadow … I … try to fix it. I have to be careful about that so it doesn't try to fix things it shouldn't. I'm not quite used to being a half shadow-dragon, especially not since Melusine pushed me to complete the union."

The Sphynx looks caught rather by surprise at Alptraum's reaction and immediately swoops in closer to try to help catch him or slow his descent if the Eee does indeed drop. Tulani looks much relieved when he finally catches himself, calling to Alptraum, "Gods! Don't scare me like that Alptraum! If your wings are hurting that badly let's just land, okay? We should be close enough."

"Heh, yeah. I guess I shouldn't try to push it and keep up. I'm built for acrobatics, not long distance," Alptraum admits as he folds in his wings and swoops down to land near the outskirts of town.

Tulani nods and follows the Eee's descent, landing lightly nearby and stretching her wings.

Up close, the stone bridge looks a bit… rickety. There are signs of crumbling along the sides, and even now a big chunk of the opposite wall of the ravine suddenly breaks loose and tumbles into the roaring water below. A jumble of stone above that might once have been a keep or a tower, long since undercut by the river.

Alptraum is rubbing at his wing joints and wincing painfully. "I won't be flying again today unless I let the shadow help … which is dangerous," he admits, "So … I'll be staying over night, I bet. And if you see any of the shadow starting again, let me know immediately. I do not want them to see this. If they're even here, that is. It's … a long shot." He walks towards the bridge now and comments, "Well, this doesn't look safe."

"I'll be sure to let you know if I notice anything else Alptraum," the Sphynx states quietly while examining the bridge herself with narrowed eyes. "I can try the bridge first since my wings are still good for flight today?"

"Hmm. Yes, please," Alptraum has to concede to Tulani. He steps to the side.

Tulani takes a deep breath and carefully steps out onto the bridge, walking with slow, carefully measured steps to make sure she can feel if anything is about to go wrong with her footing or the support under her.

The bridge is easily ten feet wide, and feels pretty sturdy under the Sphynx's light tread. It would probably take considerably more weight to even make it vibrate. Which isn't to say Tulani can't feel the force of the raging water shaking things a tiny bit.

"How is it?" Alptraum calls out to Tulani.

Tulani stops about halfway across the bridge in order to call back over her shoulder, raising her voice over the roar of the nearby waterfall, "It actually feels pretty sturdy Alptraum! I think it would take a lot more weight to bring this bridge down!" And so saying the Sphynx heads the rest of the way over to the other side.

Looking relieved, Alptraum starts across the bridge now too. Nervously, he whistles to himself. "Are they really here?" he wonders.

Nothing happens while crossing the bridge, at least. Beyond it, the village of Cataract is… rustic, even more so than Stonebarrow was. The streets are just covered with gravel, and there are no shop signs beyond the tavern's, which depicts a Rhian-toothed Khatta head. Everything looks plain, with hardly any added color, and the town smells heavily of Rughrat.

"Well … it's not the most exciting place," Alptraum admits as he surveys the town. His ears flick about as he listens for anything that would sound, well, familiar. The glove on his right hand ripples a bit and he hisses quietly to it, "No, leave my wings alone. I'm fine." It settles down fairly quickly.

The wind in the mountains is an ever-present whisper, but sensitive Eeee ears can still pick out the sounds of gypsy instruments and snatches of music.

Tulani waits patiently for Alptraum at the other end of the bridge, smiling once he makes it across. "Ready to start searching around?" she asks, already starting to look around herself for anything that would fit a gypsy troupe.

"Maybe this was a bad idea," Alptraum tells Tulani nervously when his ears catch the sound of music. "I'm not sure I can do this. I mean, I'm not the person I was when I left."

The Sphynx gives Alptraum a reassuring smile and moves to give him a pat on the back, but instead just rubs the back of his neck a bit, remembering the Eee's sore wings, "Come on Alptraum, you've been searching for them for how long now? This is no time to be backing out! Besides, they're family right?"

"Yes, but … " Alptraum tries to argue, then holds up his gloved right hand. The leather bulges now and then as presumably the shadow ripples underneath. "That was before all this." He sighs and shrugs, admitting, "But, I do want to see them. Come on, there is music this way." He nods in the direction of the commons, then starts walking that way.

Following along next to Alptraum, Tulani just tries to be a quiet and reassuring presence for him, saying softly, "Time changes all things. I'm sure your family will understand."

"If they're even still alive. My adoptive father was not well when I saw him last," Alptraum admits quietly.

There is quite a crowd gathered around a makeshift stage on the commons, where the music is coming from. Colorfully dressed Khatta girls swirl and twirl and sway to the music, and Alptraum easily recognizes the daughters of Nyneve Radovah. A few more familiar wagons are visible – and some are noticeably absent – but the one that jumps to the forefront is decorated with pictures of flying Eeee and streamers, and has a tent-like canopy shade extended from one side. A table full of bottles and jars is under it, and someone is behind it as well, hidden by the shade.

Alptraum just … stops. He watches the dancers on stage, a lump growing in his throat as a lifetime of memories rush back in an instant. He remembers the traveling and the shows. The afternoon escapes through the fields when he and Hexen had swiped something from one of the towns they had camped near … to even his playful nudging for Hexen to make his move on the Khatta girls. "They're here," he whispers to Tulani, then nods towards the wagon with the streamers.

The Sphynx reaches over to give Alptraum a quick hug, assuring the Eee as he stops dead in his tracks, "I'll be right here next to you, okay? So don't worry."

With most of the townsfolk – almost all Khattas and Humans – watching the dancers, the Eeee woman behind the spice and herb table is actually taking a nap while sitting up on her stool. Sabine hasn't changed much, really, but to Alptraum she just looks a bit more worn than he recalls.

With one more look to the dancers and the memories they invoke … Alptraum heads towards Sabine. His jaw tightens and with each step he's finding it hard to fight back tears and just run over to hug her. But somehow he resists it and once he's near her chair, he crouches down and looks over the older woman. He reaches slowly towards her, then stops … every insecurity about if she would even want to see him again surging forward with full force.

The figure on the stool jerks awake suddenly, and says, "Spizes from far off lands, herbs to… " She stops as soon as she gets a good look at the Eeee opposite her. "A ghost?" she asks, her eyes tearing up.

Tulani follows, standing just to the side of and behind Alptraum, trying to be there for the Eee without being an interference, content to watch quietly.

Alptraum swallows before offering a weak smile. "No ghost. Hi mom. It's been … a while," he forces out with as even a voice as he can manage. He brings up one of his gloved hands and curls it lightly over hers. "I'm … sorry I've been gone so long. So many things have happened."

"Aieee!" Sabine squeals and throws herself at Alptraum, trying to squeeze him to death with her hug! "I had such worries! You have caused me to age a decade in just two years! But you are back! And… " she lets go to give Alptraum a good looking over. "And… you are looking well." Noticing the Sphynx nearby, she then whispers, "And is this your gorgio girlfriend?"

Tulani cant help but stifle a chuckle, covering it with a hand as the elder Eee looks about to squeeze the life and certainly the air out of Alptraum with the force of her hug.

"Gwah," goes Alptraum and his arms pinwheel as he tries to keep his balance and not fall over and take her with him! Once stabilized, he returns the hug tightly and buries his muzzle against her neck. "Has it only been two years? It seems like a lifetime ago. So much has changed for me," he wheezes. At the mention of girlfriend, he blinks repeatedly, then quickly adds, "Tulani? No! She's my friend, but not my girlfriend. Someone else occupies that position in my heart… "

"A fine Eeee lady?" Sabine asks, with a hint of scandal to her voice. "The nobles, they cannot resist the young gypsy stud, yes?"

"Oh yes, they pretty much flock to Alptraum it seems!" Tulani cant help but interject with a chuckle after a moment.

"A wonderful Eeee named Rose … with the most beautiful crimson eyes … " Alptraum says, then coughs and rubs the back of his neck, looking very embarrassed now. "She could not come; her duties keep her busy… " He then twitches at Tulani's declaration.

"I taught him everyt'ing he knows," comes a soft voice from behind Tulani… along with a pat on her rear end.

"Your father will be so proud!" Sabine gushes. "He has been despondent of late," she admits in a quieter voice. "This town has welcomed us, but they are just as poor as we who wander."

"Where is father?" Alptraum has to ask quietly, I feared he had … well, he was not well when I saw him last."

"I'm your friend Alptraum, I have to embarrass you a little bit, especially with Arkold not here you know!" The Sphynx states in her defense to Alptraum's twitch, before turning in the direction of the voice behind her, she manages not to even bat an eyelash at the pat, "And who might you be?"

"He rests inside," Sabine says, and nods back towards the Tavern. "He goes and tells his tales in the alehouse in the evening, to earn us dinner and entertain the children."

The black fox flashes a very bright smile to Tulani, and then does a flourishing bow. He's wearing a bright red bandanna, a shiny green vest with a yellow sash, and somewhat poofy blue pants that might have originally been an attempt at a lady's bloomers. "Hexen, Prince of Gypsies, at your service Madam," he says, and then takes Tulani's hand to kiss the back of it as he straightens back up. "I knew Alptraum would return to us, and here he is – with a beautiful gift for his dear friend as well!"

"Careful. You always go after women who are our of your reach," Alptraum chides the black fox with a playful grin. "First Radovah's girls, now Tulani. I have to warn you … she's a real dragon, best be careful." He winks.

"Well, a dragon must have a prince to abduct and ravish, neh?" Hexen counters.

Turning to look to his adoptive mother again, Alptraum asks, "Why are you this far out? Would it not have been better to seek towns closer to Draco County's center? It's safer too; since they hold the Gallee at bay," he says worriedly.

Tulani chuckles and then laughs in a bright, friendly manner at the black fox's introduction. "Tulani Herfrell, a pleasure to meet you Hexen." And tilting her head slightly the Sphynx comments back to Alptraum, "I certainly see where you picked up some of your charm Alptraum."

"Dragons devour, they don't ravish," Alptraum quips to Hexen, still grinning. "I should know."

"The larger towns have their entertainments," Sabine notes. "And we are no longer able to put on the air show. We are only exotic here in the hinterlands, where entertainment is rarely found outside of the bedroom."

Hexen wags his tail happily, and says, "So, you are Traum's traveling companion, and not his lover?"

Alptraum frowns, but can't really dispute that point. "Have you considered stopping traveling and just finding a place to live?" he asks Sabine. "I have some friends in the government of Draco County … they might be able to find you a place."

Tulani seems quite humored by the topic of dragons in conversation, before nodding to Hexen's next query. "Yes, that's about right. Alptraum has lovely Eee happy to look after him in that manner," she replies and can't help but chuckle further.

"And what of you, Tulani-Angel?" Hexen asks, schmoozing closer. "Do you need someone to tend to your pleasure?"

"Retire?" Sabine asks, and looks around at the remaining wagons of the troupe. "Who would I talk to? What would I do?"

"Oh, but we've hardly even met yet, have we?" Tulani says with a small smirk to Hexen, and extends a wing, maneuvering the fox back a step but also brushing the feathers beneath his chin. "I know very little about you."

"I … don't know. I just thought if I could do something to help you find a peaceful retirement, I … " Alptraum says rather lamely. He looks to the ground, adding, "Plus since I seem to live in Draco County now … it would have been nice to have you and Father close."

"I am the stuff of legends," Hexen boasts. "Everywhere we go, I save someone's life, and vanquish some horrible evil! Why only today I saved a poor farmer's entire crop!"

"Close?" Sabine asks Alptraum. "You have a home then now? You no longer travel?"

"What, one turnip and a head of lettuce?" Alptraum can't help but comment and smirk at Hexen.

Tulani looks quite amused with Hexen's boast. "And what did you save it from exactly?" the Sphynx asks with a raised brow.

Before Hexen can retort, a large black Rhian walks past, dragging an uprooted tree stump that's tied to his harness. "Lazy son. You only cut half the roots," he snorts to Hexen before moving on.

"I still travel some, yes. But … I seem to have found a place helping Draco County," Alptraum tells his mother, "And in doing so, helping Sylvania." And with an embarrassed grin, he adds, "Tulani can tell you … I've sort of become a wandering vanquisher of evil and protector of those in need."

"Aieee, my poor son," Sabine says, hugging Alptraum again. "We always feared you would fall to some dangerous destiny. Have you been hurt? Have you become… a mercenary?"

"It's true! He even helped with removing a particularly nasty dragon out a ways," Tulani states emphatically in agreement to Alptraum before curiously watching the large Rhian walk by. "So you are adopted Hexen?" she asks next, turning her attention to the black fox.

"I learned about how and why I was born … and have used what came from that to help others, is all," Alptraum says as he gets smothered. "No, I'm not a mercenary. I don't do things for money. I'm … it's hard to explain and not something that should be talked about in public. And yes, I've been hurt a few times and bear a few scars … but it's nothing to worry about."

"Adopted?" Hexen asks. "What makes you think that? I have my father's color and his… strength!" The fox tries to flex his arms, but doesn't exactly bulge. "And you are a seeker of adventure too, so it seems! You must tell of your exploits over dinner! And possibly breakfast too!"

"Oh really?" the Sphynx says, quirking an eyebrow curiously at Hexen, chuckling as the fox flexes. "Well, I only ask because my father is a Rhian as well and I happen to be adopted. And I would be quite happy to tell you of my travels. Alptraum has some interesting stories as well."

"And this finery you wear, it is not that you have come to covet material wealth, is it?" the Eee's mother asks, in a tone suggesting it is the worst possibly sin.

"Of course not. I just … well … Rose likes it," Alptraum admits very quietly.

"Traum, being brave and bold?" Hexen asks with a bit of a snicker. "Such tales those must be!" He then leans in close to whisper to Tulani, "Ah, you know then about Rhians. I share a certain other endowment with my father… "

"And this Rose, she works with the Government in the capitol?" Sabine asks. "You should not trust those who would rule over others, you know!"

"I'll have you know I faced one of the legendary darknesses from the Necromancer wars," Alptraum snaps at Hexen and waggles a gloved finger at him. To his mother, he nods, answering, "She does. It was a duty she had to take because of her father; it was not her choice."

"And she is a good girl?" Sabine asks, unconsciously straightening Alptraum's tunic. "Strong willed, and not some hothouse flower, yes? A good partner?"

Tulani has to forcibly keep herself from laughing, shaking slightly as she holds back a snicker, but reaches out to place a finger on the tip of Hexen's nose, pushing him back slightly, "Oh… my. Enough, enough," she says while smiling amusedly.

"Until dinner then, my exotic flower of the sky," Hexen says, and gives Tulani's wrist another kiss before bowing.

"Yes. She's a wonderful woman," Alptraum answers quite honestly. "She inspired me to do more for others and be wiling to sacrifice things for others. I wished she could have come along. She needs some time where she doesn't have such weight on her shoulders."

"Hey, Tulani?" Alptraum calls out and glances to the Sphynx.

"You will of course introduce her to us formally," Sabine states. And then in a whisper, asks, "And does she share your… food allergy?"

"Yes, she does. We share a lot in common," Alptraum whispers to Sabine.

Chuckling and shaking her head slowly to herself, Tulani turns her attention back to Alptraum. "Yes Alptraum, something wrong?"

Grinning, Alptraum points to Hexen … then holds his right hand up so she can easily see it. His finger and thumb are spaced barely an inch apart. The Eeee then winks.

The fox is already chasing after his father, so misses that little gesture.

Tulani snickers at Alptraum's gesture and nods with a grin, looking quite entertained. "Your friend Hexen is quite amusing. I think I understand a bit of your roguish side imagining you growing up with him," she says.

"I take no responsibility for him. Not after the kyootecumber incident," Alptraum insists.

"And what happened at this incident? I'm curious now," the Sphynx asks, still grinning.

"That? Oh, you saw how he compared himself to a Rhian? Well, there was a time he tried to mimic that by putting a kyootecumber down his … ahem. Well! Anyway, during one of his trysts the girl he was with got a bit too feely and found it. She was so mad she squashed it … in his pants. You know how hot kyootecumbers are to eat? Well, imagine that in tender areas and … I think you can figure the rest out," Alptraum tries to discretely explain to Tulani.

Tulani just shakes her head slowly in disbelief, "Oh dear. Well, I hope he never tried that again."

"When your father awakes, we will gather the tribe and have a homecoming feast," Sabine says, smiling. "And you will tell us all that has happened to you in your travels, avralie?"

"I can tell you as much as I can without endangering you," Alptraum promises with a smile. "A lot has happened and some is best left buried."

"Aiiee, have you regrets? Shame?" Sabine asks, looking shocked at the idea that her son might have shameful secrets – beyond the vampire thing, anyway.
To his mother, Alptraum says, "No, not shame. It's … complicated. And for some things, to protect others involved." He pats his mother's hand with one of his gloved ones. "It's nothing for you to worry over. And oh! I have good news: I recovered that amulet finally. I'll be returning it to Blackshire soon."

Tulani settles for standing and stretching for a moment, but soon starts to feel a little out of place and wanders a few steps away to find a good spot to sit down and watch people.

"So, who has the tribe lost since I've been gone? I noticed that some of the wagons are gone," Alptraum says, his expression darkening a little.

"Madame Xanadu, and a few of the others who decided to try and live as the gorgio do," Sabine notes. "Others… well, the road is harsh, ne?"

"Avralie, it is," Alptraum agrees and stands. He glances to his right hand and then back to the camp. "Forgive me, mother, but I should go greet the others before dinner. I won't be long and it will give you time to wake father. Come, Tulani … I'll introduce you to the dancers… "

"Hmm? Alright Alptraum," Tulani replies, getting up from where she had been sitting and looking off in thought. "So, glad you decided to come and not just leave?"

"That will depend on how dinner goes and how much they pry into what happened to me. I don't think they're ready to know everything," Alptraum whispers to Tulani. "I also need to find a moment to quiet down my shadow. My nervousness is making it twitchy. Anyway, you'll like Nyneve and her daughters. They'd love to hear about dances and things you've seen on your travels."

"Well, alright then. I'm sure it will go okay. I can always try to distract away from uncomfortable questions if you want me to," the Sphynx suggests.

"That would be great. Thanks for volunteering to dance naked on the banquet table," Alptraum says and pats Tulani's back. And in the next moment, Alptraum is running down the street!

"Wha?? Hey! Get back here Alptraum you… you rogue!" Tulani practically yells and then immediately goes tearing after the bat, though by the smile on her face the Sphynx is obviously enjoying herself. It only takes her a few moments to take to the air…