Log Entry 2235: Everything is Gooey Around a Yodhinala

The evening with Draco was one of absolute silliness mixed with true emotion. Alptraum was completely honest with the Countess as he regaled her with more tales of his life on the road, the towns he visited, and how his family life was. But, it wasn't all about him. Alptraum asked her much about her own family and even down to little things, like what she liked in her tea, and what types of blood she most preferred. The evening ended with dessert; specifically Alptraum fed her dessert as she reclined demurely and he played the part (with only a few giggles from either of them), as her servant.

But, as will all things, the date ended. The two retired together and enjoyed a long sleep wing-entwined about each other. Morning came too soon and the pair had to once again part ways. Draco had issues of the county to deal with and Alptraum had things to plan. He walked through the passageways rubbing his right hand, which he forgot to extract the dagger from. Overnight, the flesh grew cooler to the touch and tingly-numb. It's also apparent the gauntlet is starting to ooze back into place as the fur of his right hand has started going gray again; an obvious prelude to it falling out before the chitin returns.

But, first things first, Alptraum has decided to stop by Mave's quarters. When he reaches it, he raps politely on the door, then calls out, "Yodhinala Mave? May I enter?"

"Of course, Alptraum," comes the reply. "My door is always open."

Alptraum opens the door and slips inside. He latches it closed, then turns to look for Mave. He can't help but keep wiggling his fingers on his right hand to help warm them up with increased blood flow.

Mave's Room
Yodhinala Mave has the largest room in the shared guest suite. Besides a bedroom, there is an office and tiled bathroom sporting a large sunken tub. Everything Mave has carried from Babel is on display, from the portable shrine in one corner (now featuring the sculpture of her that was done in Gromit) to Babelite tapestries hanging from the walls. Standing wardrobes are full of numerous Temple costumes, and the office area has been given over to a small alchemy lab – but larger than the table she and Phlagaea share in the castle's Wizardry lab.

"How went your tryst with the Countess?" the Yodhinala asks from her 'laboratory' area. Mave is wearing a light, gauzy blue robe with swirling patterns of white on it, and as is typical for her the garment is partly transparent.

"A time dedicated to pleasure of talk and flesh," Alptraum answers with an amused smile. He walks over and kneels down on one knee beside Mave. He reaches over and takes her hand lightly in his, then raises it up and kisses the back of it gently. "And I owe much to the woman who instructed me on how to please an older woman," he notes.

"A debt you will never be able to fully repay, likely," Mave notes with a grin, and then frowns. "Your hand is oddly cold, Alptraum. What have you done to your forearm? It looks like your gauntlet had… melted."

"Work on controlling its shape temporarily. Last night it looked more or less normal. I have left the dagger in it far too long, but I do not think it is too much to be concerned over," Alptraum explains as he stands. He slides his hand along his forearm, fingers coming to rest on the hilt. "What are you up to this day? I hope I am not interrupting anything?"

"Monitoring the progress of the fertility potion, and other elixirs," Mave notes, still looking at Alptraum's arm. "Did you run the power down while the dagger was in place then?"

"Mostly. I used the power to keep the shape different from norm," Alptraum admits and finally actually tries to draw the dagger our of his forearm. "How is the potion progressing?"

"It progresses well," Mave notes, and reaches over to touch the chitin now. It's a little soft – and when Mave pulls her finger back it bulges out and sprouts a little tentacle that tries to grab the finger. "Hmmm, most curious," the white Eeee says.

Alptraum pauses in trying to draw it out and now touches the chitin as well, to see if it reacts similarly to him.

It feels… well, like leather over jelly. But it does not try to grab Alptraum. "With the dagger in place, your dragon can control the flesh of the gauntlet, yes?" Mave asks.

"She can. As can I, I believe. Why?" Alptraum inquires. He actually tries something … he tries to extend a tendril from his forearm through his will.

The chitiny mass doesn't respond to the encouragement, other than to bulge and bulk out more before spreading to cover more of Alptraum's forearm.

Alptraum presses fingers into the back of the mass, seeing how far he can press into his own forearm. Where the bulge spreads, the hair finally turns white and falls out.

"I shall have to call in the maid to sweep that up now," Mave complains. The chitin actually seems to resist the pressure of the fingers, becoming harder the more Alptraum presses. Tendrils of goo have begun to spread over the backs of his right-hand fingers once more, and the oval orb is starting to slide down to its original place near his wrist.

"I'll clean it up," Alptraum promises as he watches in fascination as the chitin oozes back into place. He actually pets over the chitin almost encouragingly as it flows back. His fingers curl and stretch, making sure they remain movable and the segments form in the proper place.

The chill begins to retreat from the limb, to be replaced with the old numbness where the gauntlet covers. Soon enough, it appears to be back to its previous configuration.

Alptraum flexes his fingers, the plates once again sliding lightly against each other. "Back to being a monster," the Eeee muses and shows Mave.

The Yodh arches an eyebrow at the comment. "I assume you will be experimenting further with altering the shape of your gauntlet, Alptraum?" she asks.

"Of course, I want to be able to fully control it. It's not every day someone has a limb that is partially mold-able," Alptraum comments with a grin. "Are you interested in observing the experiments, or suggesting a direction?"

"Hmm, I would be, normally," Mave notes, and then taps a claw on the hardening carapace. "But since you can't feel through the material, there seems little point in exploring the… possibilities."

"I can feel through it if another shadow dragon touches it, though," Alptraum explains, then leans in nose tip to nose tip with Mave. "And even if I can't feel it, it doesn't mean I couldn't try things with the shape that you would enjoy. Particularly when I am serving as your Barinala," Alptraum teases, then licks the white-eee's nose.

"Hmmm, perhaps," Mave notes. "But I find the notion of having the spirit dagger in there at the same time somewhat disturbing."

"Point taken," Alptraum concedes as he leans back and finally tries to pull the dagger completely out. "I came to ask you about a few things. Is there anything I can help you with while we speak?" He nods towards the table.

The dagger slides out… but there's no blade attached to the hilt. In its place is a ropy, pulsating mass of black entrails that remain momentarily connected to the gauntlet before snapping free and slowly condensing back into the shape of a blade.

Mave misses this, as she turned her head to look over the table in question. "There isn't really anything you can do to help with my elixirs, beyond what you have already," she notes.

"Well, that was disgusting. But no one promised me being part shadow-dragon would be all glamorous," Alptraum mutters as he waits for the blade to solidify. Once solid, he slips it into its belt-sheath and pats it. He slips his arms lightly around Mave and draws up against her back and wings, now asking, "Then I will distract you as I ask you something." He licks along Mave's neck, then asks, "Would you be willing to help me arrange a party of debauchery for Arkold? It is tradition that all males engage in terrible acts of pleasure one last time before they are wed.",

"Is that so?" Mave asks, turning her head slightly. "Would it involve Ravenia as well?"

"Not usually, no. But perhaps it could as part of the surprise," Alptraum muses, then flashes a fangy grin to Mave. "I even considered adding in the Yodhblakat for the drinking part. But ultimately, the bachelor party is all about pleasure and going to extremes. Which made me think of you as an expert. Did you ever aid in anything similar in Babel?"

"Well, debauchery is an art in Babel," Mave replies. "One that is, of course, perfected by the Yodhinala. There were many times when the Temple was reserved for special guests and influential patrons. Those who made substantial offerings to Inala, that is."

"Which, alas, I never got to visit. But then, I was told I would not be welcome," Alptraum admits. "Now, knowing from growing up with the gypsies … there is usually at least one part where the groom is surrounded and teased mercilessly by beautiful women as they dance and caress him. Of course … they don't let him touch them… Now, if we were to add a Babelite flair to it, what would you recommend?"

"We could tie him down, of course," Mave suggests. "And allow the Yodhblakat to have their way with him."

"Oooo, I like that. Evil … yet appealing," Alptraum admits, then nips Mave's ear. "But, we don't want to hurt him… "

"Oh, I'm sure Ravenia has already subjected him to similar by now," Mave notes.

"Would the Yodhblakat be interested, do you think?" Alptraum asks.

"They could hardly be kept away regardless," the Yodh points out. "They could be distracted of course. If the groom gets such an event, does not the bride as well?"

"The bride does as well, though it is usually not as intense," Alptraum comments, then gives Mave a sly look. "I was not aware you found Ravenia attractive and wished to spend … time with her.

"Hmm? Why does this surprise you?" Mave asks. "Besides, as a gypsy, it would be your duty to provide the entertainment for that party."

"Me? Entertain a bunch of women?" Alptraum inquires, brow arched. "I'm not sure where I would begin… "

"You can play music and dance, certainly?" Mave notes. "Were you not an acrobat? And there is always the giant cake… "

"Well, yes I can play music and dance. And yes, I used to be an aerial acrobat," Alptraum agrees, "And I'm certainly willing to entertain them as best I can. Hmmm, maybe I can use the shadow-cloak for particular effects. Clothing that melts away would make for an amazing strip-show… "

"Hmmm, you can do that?" Mave asks, turning around fully now. "Like my own dance of veils?"

"With practice, my veils of shadow would move with a life of their own," Alptraum claims. "The shadow is an extension of shadow-bond. I can shape it and make it move by will." His brow waggles as he adds, "I bet I could even tie someone down with it, or wrap and tease with it… "

"Could you form it into a partner?" Mave asks next, with a smirk.

"I have no idea; it needs to remain in contact with me, I believe. What are you thinking?" Alptraum inquires.

The Yodh gives a wicked little grin. "Well, you could have a shadow partner for… well… a very risque dance… " she suggests.

"After all, if your shadow is alive, then it can undress you, caress you… and so on," she adds, to make it clearer.

"Have sex with my own shadow, or very close to it," Alptraum replies with a smirk. "Now, if I could shape it to look like Ravenia… "

"You will have to practice," Mave points out. "You have little time to master it. And if you get them too excited, recall that there will be Yodhblakat present. Tulani may not be able to defend you."

"Well, I'll list it as something to consider," Alptraum notes a with a nod. "And I'm not afraid of the Yodhblakat; they've never expressed that much interest in me. Well, except for Roogi … a little." Letting his hands rest lightly on Mave's hips, he asks, "Would you want to watch the practice?"

"Watch? Don't you want me to choreograph it for you?" Mave asks, looking shocked at the question.

"I didn't want to impose and presume that," Alptraum offers in an attempt to placate the woman. "I would be a fool to turn down dance lessons from you"

"Of course," Mave notes, and reaches up to pat Alptraum's cheek. "Who else would you ask, after all? The dragon?"

"She is … too aggressive," Alptraum claims. "And oh … that reminds me of something. Has Phlagaea come to see you at all recently?"

"Should she have?" Mave asks. "It is my understanding that she has busy providing something called 'vaccinations' to soldiers."

"No. I just haven't seen her recently," Alptraum claims, "And I thought you two had become … friends."

"We have both been busy," Mave notes. "When I hear her return, she usually goes straight to her room to rest."

"Hm. Is she there now, do you think?" Alptraum asks. "She has been eating normally, yes?"

"I usually have my meals brought to me," the Yodh admits. "If Phlagaea has been eating, it is likely being done in the officers' mess or the kitchen. Assuming anyone would want to eat around her – but she has had time to make a good impression by now."

"I should look in on her," Alptraum says, looking a bit worried. "Would you be free later this evening to start practicing and solidifying the plan for Arkold and Ravenia? I promise to give praise to Inala in thanks… "

"Of course, Alptraum," Mave says, smiling. "Be sure to bring some strawberries if you can."

"Wish to be fed, do you?" Alptraum inquires with a grin.

"I suppose they can be used for that too," Mave says innocently.

Alptraum pauses, then gives Mave a look. "You enjoy 'messing' with me far, far too much. You try to get me to look like you and now you suggest unusual use of a fruit… " he says, one brow arching slightly.

"They are important for learning balance," Mave says.

"On the nose?" Alptraum clarifies?

"Inside of the knees and elbows," Mave claims.

Alptraum tries to picture that and fails. "If you say so," he says and shrugs. "Do you correspond at all with the Yodhblakat, or will I need to go speak with them in person?"

"Correspond?" Mave asks, and puts a finger to her chin. "I do not know if any of them can read."

"Avralie. I realized that right after I said it," Alptraum admits, "So, I will have to make a day trip to visit them. Er, not sure I relish the idea of being alone with a group of them… "

"It would not be the first time," Mave points out.

"I've never been completely alone with them," Alptraum points out. He takes Mave's hand, then brings it up and kisses the back of it, "Noting, "I'd best be going. I will see you later this eve."

"You had better recharge your gauntlet as well," Mave notes, and then stands and gives Alptraum a kiss – on the cheek!" Now, go about your little errands."

"Of course," Alptraum says and waves those chitinous fingers at the Eee. "Until later, Yodhinala," he says, then slips out the door.