The Reisender Wagon is decorated with small figures of flying Eeee carrying (newly) colorful streamers, or playing instruments – a hint as to the performing specialty of the winged inhabitants. Some minor repairs and fresh paint have done wonders to make the wagon look more presentable, even though the performances of the occupants are fewer and less acrobatic nowadays. A canopy has been pitched off one side of the wagon, using one wall for support, and a couple of poles to suspend the other corners.

Alptraum's adoptive parents, Sabine and Dimitris are selling various trinkets and charms from under the canopy, dressed in their finest clothes and doing a fare amount of trade, given the large crowd of visitors from the capitol.

"So … have any trinkets representing the history of Sylvania, such as the story of the Light of Nala?" Alptraum actually asks as he approaches the trade table to peer at the trinkets as if he were just a causal buyer as well. "Or perhaps trinkets of Babel?" he adds. Of course, he might be acting so calm because he feels anything but calm at the moment. With Mave in the camp causing her usual form of disruption, anything is possible.

There are plenty of Eeee at the table (in fact, all of the potential customers are Eeee), but the casual act doesn't fool Sabine for even a second. "Alptraum! My baby!" the woman cries, and hurries around the table to hug the taller bat. She then snipes at Dimitris, "See? I told you he loved us still and would come! I'm sure he has a good reason for taking three days to see us since we are in town."

"Good to see you, son," Dimitris says with an apologetic grin.

"Gorfnik!" goes Alptraum when he finds himself being squeezed by his older, though still sturdy, adoptive mother! After he extracts himself from the death-grip-hug, he asks, "What? Did someone say I wouldn't be coming?"

"Your mother is overly dramatic and cannot help but try to make her men feel guilty for everything," Dimitris says. Several of the nearby Eeee grin and not, only to be poked or slapped or otherwise chastised by their female counterparts.

"Well, I do not feel guilty. I only just got back in town after being on a harrowing mission for the County," Alptraum claims as he polishes his claws against his shirt.

"Oh dear! Are you taking risks?" Sabine asks in horror, and starts patting down Alptraum. "Are you hurt? Are you hiding bandages?"

"My life is full of risks! But … I am perfectly healthy and well. No injuries to speak of save my pride," Alptraum claims as he gently bats away the exploring hands of his mother. "You two seem to be doing well," he adds, trying to change the subject. "Good business?"

"It is nice to visit a community with more Eeees," Dimitris admits. "They are always interested in hearing my stories."

"Which stories are those? Your daring tales of wooing young women, or daring tales of the road? Come to think of it, most of your tales have 'daring' in there somewhere… " Alptraum teases and grins. He leans lightly against one of the bartering tables to take some weight off his feet.

"Hmm, speaking of daring, I see you have come alone," Dimitris points out.

"Yes, when do we get to meet your lady?" Sabine asks.

"Ah, right to the point," Alptraum says and waves his hand as if it wasn't that much of a worry. "Well, it depends on when you are free to have dinner with us in town. I want to keep the first place as, well … neutral as possible. She's nervous and I don't want the entire tribe to accost her the first day!"

"The entire tribe seems distracted by that other woman you arrived with," Sabine points out, with her ears at a disapproving angle. "And… do you mean a… restaurant?"

"Who, Mave? She's from Babel and that's, well, how some of them act. I'm keeping an eye on her until I can escort her back to Babel soon," Alptraum claims, "She's a bit odd, but mostly harmless. My friend from Babel, Phlagaea, is also in town. She's much nicer and I've been helping her out. And yes, I mean a restaurant. I'm not about to just grab some poor soul off the streets! You know me better than that."

"I don't know, your father gets boisterous in taverns," Sabine says in a loud whisper, which makes Dimitris roll his eyes while showing a carved Eeee to a customer and explaining that he did carve the figures on the wagon himself…

"And … if you don't promise to behave yourself around Rose," Alptraum says and waggles a finger at Sabine, "I'll introduce father to the dancer, Mave! No embarrassing me, or her."

"When have I ever embarrassed you, son?" Sabine asks, as she reaches up with a hanky to brush some white fuzz off of Alptraum's cheek. Dimitris is a bit derailed by the threat of introducing him to Mave.

"That would take weeks to list," Alptraum teases and grins to his mother. "Now, are you two willing to come to a restaurant? It won't cost you anything, you know. We'll cover the bill. I think it'll make meeting easier on both sides."

"Of course, son!" Dimitris says enthusiastically, while Sabine clucks at the offer to cover the bill. "We can pay, if it isn't too fancy. We don't want to appear to be badly off by accepting charity… "

Alptraum tsks. "It's not charity. We're the ones arranging the dinner," he points out. "Besides, I still owe you twenty shekels from back when I left."

"As long as it it's not too fancy," Sabine relents. She seems a bit sad though – probably because she can't share cooking secrets with Rose, her and Alptraum being vampires.

"Okay, okay, it won't be fancy. It's not like I'm wealthy to begin with. I'm comfortable," Alptraum agrees. "Besides, the food isn't the important part anyway. Rose is. I'm sure you'll love her. I've been debating asking my friend to come along too, since I've been looking out for her. She's far from home and friends, so is a bit lonely. Her only good friends here right now are myself and Rose."

"It is good that you are taking care of the less fortunate," Sabine says. "I always feared you would end up a self-involved, selfish lout like your father, but hearing that you have grown into a responsible, altruistic man fills me with hope and joy and pride, knowing that you have taken my lessons to heart."

"Oh, ah, a minor thing to know about her. Phlagaea, well, she's a Priestess of Gorphat," Alptraum explains as he shifts about a bit uncomfortably. "So … she can be a little, ah, odd at times. But she means well! She, well, saved me when I was in Babel; she helped keep me from feeling completely alone."

"So… she makes charms against bowel problems and the like?" Dimitris asks.

"There is that. She can also inflict such on people if they anger her. She took a job with the County Military, so … expect a lot of Gallee with serious intestinal issues in the near future. They won't have enough perfume to counter it," Alptraum claims, "And she can help with managing wound infections for our army."

"How… odd," Sabine notes. "A priestess acting as a witch?"

"She also never really had a family growing up, so … I'm trying to teach her how ordinary people are," Alptraum claims, knowing full well he's anything but ordinary. "Priestess' from Babel are not quite like the Priestess from Sylvania, so yes."

"Can she speak Sylvanian," Sabine asks quietly. Dimitris asks a more relevant question though: "Is she forbidden from drinking or eating anything?"

"She can speak it, though her accent is heavy. I've been tutoring her," Alptraum explains, "And she can drink and eat whatever she wishes. It is considered a challenge to be overcome if something she eats gives her indigestion."

"And she isn't a vampire, which might make you more comfortable. But, if you'd rather she not come, that's fine too," Alptraum explains.

"Oh no, you must bring her," Sabine says. "The poor thing probably needs some good wholesome mothering."

"Just don't go overboard or she might curse me!" Alptraum jokes. "Now, is there anything more you want to know about Rose?"

"Well, what would be an appropriate gift?" Sabine asks. "It is only proper that the family of the suitor provide a gift. It must be gypsy, of course."

"It need not be expensive, but something meaningful. From the heart," Alptraum explains, "Something that represents the family, perhaps. An old streamer from our days as performers? Something that was given to you on your wedding day, such as a small bit of jewelry. Along those lines, I think."

Sabine gasps and clutches her hands to her chest. "Something from my wedding… does this mean it is official, Alptraum?" she asks with watery eyes. "There will be a wedding?"

"If I'm lucky, yes. There are some matters I must resolve before it will be possible, though," Alptraum admits. "Unpleasant places and people to deal with. Old wounds to close. Her task to me so that I am not burdened by them any longer."

"A wise woman," Dimitris says approvingly. "I also made sure to break from my past so as to have a fresh start with your mother."

"He owed money to his ex-girlfriend's father," Sabine notes coldly.

"What did you have to break away from? A bunch of vengeful ladies out for your head for not picking them?" Alptraum teases. Of course Sabine's answer makes him blink since he was close. "What did he owe him money for?" he asks.

"I did not ask the sordid details," Sabine notes. "I was in love, and the last thing I needed to know were sordid details."

"Well, I want the sordid details," Alptraum says as he looks at his father.

"I don't remember them," Dimitris claims, crossing his arms over his chest stubbornly.

Alptraum crosses his own arms and stares back at his father with equal stubbornness. "Confess," he says.

"Well, confess when mother isn't around?" Alptraum offers as compromise.

"Don't be silly boy," Dimitris says. "If I say it, she will hear it somehow."

"That's what being married is all about," Sabine claims.

"Oh, well, I can guess what it was then," Alptraum says as he grins fangily.

"I doubt you can guess accurately though," Dimitris claims with a grin. "What are her colors, your Rose?"

"Black as the darkest shadow, from head to toe," Alptraum says wistfully, "With eyes that shine like rubies."

"Eh, but what colors does she wear, son?" Dimitris asks, smiling at Alptraum's expression as he describes Rose.

"That depends. Sometimes blood red, sometimes black, sometimes emerald green, in terms of formal wear," Alptraum describes, "But she also dresses not to differently from any of us, pants and a shirt, or a basic skirt, when she is dealing with mundane things."

"So, she is elegant often then?" Sabine asks, leaning in towards Alptraum. "A presence in the court, perhaps? A secretary?"

"She is elegant when the need arises," Alptraum replies vaguely. "Why the concern as to her job?"

"I am curious!" Sabine notes.

"Then you can ask her," Alptraum counters and grins. "But surely you have your own guesses."

"I am sure she will volunteer the information over dinner," Sabine notes, lifting her chin a bit.

"Amuse me? Tell me what you think her job is?" Alptraum asks.

"She is a secretary to someone important, or some other functionary who must appear in court," Sabine claims, rolling a hand. "Someone who must be elegant at times."

"A reasonable guess! We will see if she will admit to her job or not, mm?" Alptraum teases, then reaches over to actually muss up his mother's hair. "I have to keep some mysteries in my life, else what kind of gypsy would I be?"

"Aiee!" Sabine complains and pats her hair back into place. "Show some respect, Alptraum."

"If I showed respect, what kind of gypsy would I be?" Alptraum repeats, grins, and then takes a step back to be out of smacking range.

Dimitris laughs out loud, and the remaining locals chuckle as well (most of them have been drawn off by Mave and Nyneve's dancing by now). Sabine opens her mouth, then closes it and smiles a little too sweetly, as if plotting revenge.

"Oh, the grin of devious doom. I know that one well," Alptraum teases and waggles his ears at his mother. "Now, being serious for a rare moment … it has been great to see you. I should head home and finalize all the arrangements. I'll be sure to send you a message on which restaurant in a bit." He also then taps his forehead and asks, "And oh, about Hexen. Has he actually been happy with Kizzy? Or is his complaining not just a blusterous show?"

"He has been a bit better behaved," Sabine notes. "So in that respect she is good for him, although should try to find a mate more worthy of her."

"I told her that. But … she really wants him. Apparently she even locked a collar on him so she can keep him tied up! Can you imagine?" Alptraum asks.

"Boy's getting worn out reg'lar, what's he got to complain about?" Dimitris chimes in, only to be swatted by his wife.

"I shall have to see about getting you fitted for a collar too," Sabine tells him.

Alptraum laughs! "Well, at least I'm not fitted for one," he says.

"I will give your Rose one for a wedding gift, if you want," Dimitris promises.

"Hah! You don't know my neck size," Alptraum counters.

Alptraum can't help but look back toward Hexen and Kizzy's table to see if there seems to be any sort of compassion between the two or it really is one-sided.

From what can be seen through the crowd… well, they aren't fighting.

"I was honestly hoping he would settle down a bit and appreciate Eeee after being with her for a while," Alptraum admits. "We are the best lovers to have, after all."

Both of Alptraum's parents look at one another with blank, innocent expressions.

"Though … he may also end up wit a nose-ring after I mentioned it to Kizzy. So … who knows," Alptraum says and grins. "He is such fun to torment."

"That is important in a man," Sabine agrees with a nod.

"I am, thankfully, immune," Alptraum claims, "I know all about women and their tricks."

"Mm-hmm," Dimitris goes. "I suppose after constant exposure one could develop a resistance… "

"Exactly!" Alptraum agrees. "Now I really must be going. I'll see the both of you tonight. Now excuse me while I extract Mave before the crowd riots… "

"She does bring in the crowds," Sabine notes approvingly.

"That's not all she does," Alptraum mutters as he heads to collect the 'Queen of Seduction'.

Deep under the castle, past guarded doors and passages is the office of Rosalind Draco, Countess of Draco County, known largely to the outside world as a ruthless sorceress clad in dragon-scale armor. Her office does reflect that image a bit, with it's broad desk and dim lighting. It doesn't do much to deter Alptraum from wondering what it might be like to make love to her on top of the desk, however. "How was your visit?" Rosalind asks Alptraum when he enters, smiling brightly as she looks up from various papers.

Alptraum pulls the dagger out of his right arm to release the shape of his original forearm and revert to its more 'natural' shadow-flesh state now. "It went well. Hexen is properly 'suffering' under the doting arms of his Eeee friend, and my parents are looking forward to meeting you," he says as he sits down in a chair across from Rosalind and lays his right arm on the desk so it can revert comfortably. "My mother is getting quite inquisitive as to your job at the castle, though."

"Mothers tend to be like that about their childrens' paramours," Rose points out. "I'm sure we'll be hovering over our own children when the time comes. Did you want to bring them here to castle to meet or… ?"

"I decided we should pick a neutral meeting location. One of the restaurants in town. Nothing extravagant, just something simple where we can all talk," Alptraum says. "There is also the option of inviting Phlagaea along in order to keep it from getting too focused on you and interrogating about what you do here."

"Well, if she is interested, I have no objection," Rose notes with a grin. "What restaurant have you chosen?"

Alptraum's eyes flick to the squirming flesh of his forearm as the hair melts and the shadow sinks down between the metallic 'bones' of his forearm. "Having more feeling has drawbacks, that feels really strange," he admits, "Particularly that mass. It sure likes to squirm." The mass certainly is at that as it draws back some of the shadow and its various vessels throwing and squirming about before growing still again." He shivers a bit, then tries to answer the question, "Something a little simpler than the place Lilith introduced me to. I'll be going by there after I leave here and see if they have a more causal place or can refer me to one."

"You think they'll recommend another place?" Rose asks, blinking in surprise. "Perhaps you could ask among the castle staff for suggestions… or Lilith."

"Well, they may if I specify I want something casual. My mother was adamant she would not accept charity or anything expensive," Alptraum says, "But those are good points, I will ask the staff, or Lilith if she is around." He leans forward and lays his left hand atop his right, where his fingers absently 'play' a little with the mass, nudging it around a bit and feeling it react. "Mind if I talk to you about … well, what you said when I got home? Where you asked me if I was going to be around to raise our children?" he asks.

"Hmm? You can talk to me about anything, Alptraum," Rose says with a smile. She even shuffles her paperwork aside to show he has her undivided attention.

"Were you teasing me or were you actually worried I might not be around?" Alptraum asks as he looks back at Rosalind, his eyes unwavering as he looks into her glowing red ones. "Because that is something you should never worry about. I fell in love with you the day we met in this room. Doing whatever it took to make you happy became the most important thing in my life."

"I was only half-teasing," Rose admits. "I worry about you going off on dangerous trips – and I'm also jealous that I don't get to go off with you. And I will be especially happy if Melusine's heart transplant works, so that I don't have to share you with her for the next six months."

"Keeping Melusine alive is so that we can be together longer too. It isn't because I find her attractive," Alptraum says, "If given the choice, I would go to your bed over going to her cave without hesitation."

"Oh, so I am more seductive than she is after all?" Rose asks with a purr. "Best not let her know that."

"She is scary. You are seductive," Alptraum clarifies. "I … act as her consort to keep the 'peace' and her not 'disliking' me. With you it's because I want to be with you." The Eeee then grins and adds, "I would have accepted any terms you desired when you allowed me to be near you. Dagh knows if you had stated you would transform me into a hog and just keep me as a pet I probably would have agreed to it since it would have meant being at your side."

"Don't be silly – hogs make terrible pets," Rose claims. "And it's nice to hear you say how devoted you are. I worry sometimes, since Mave has her way with you whenever she chooses."

"You're prettier than she is," Alptraum points out, "No matter what she says. You can have your way with me whenever you choose, you know."

One dark brow raises on Rose's face at that, as if she just got an idea. "Oh, I'm sure of that," she notes with a smile. "Especially after your homecoming performance!"

Alptraum laughs. "Indeed. I missed you during that trip. It has gotten harder to sleep when you're not nearby now. It is both noticeable in the lack of your warmth and the lack of your scent," he says.

"Hmmm, I am glad that you cannot ken me yet then," Rose notes with a laugh of her own. "I did mean to ask though – is that Shrine Maiden useful to you on your missions? Lilith already has plans for Tulani, so I would feel better if you had someone trustworthy and resourceful to watch over you when you have to travel."

"Is there anything more I can do to help relieve your worry about my devotion to you, Rose?" Alptraum asks. He holds up his right hand and waggles the disturbing looking fingers as he adds, "Other than remind you I did this to myself for you. I'm still changing I think, as the shadow grows stronger, but … it gave me you; the cost is worth it."

The question about Snow causes him to blink, but Alptraum nods, "Sister toadstool, Snow, has been very helpful. She has been teaching me how to better control some of the gifts the Shadow of Amena gave me. And, well, it is also nice to travel with someone who doesn't look at me like I'm some sort of horrid monster."

"I'll send a request to the Hidden Temple then to see if she can be assigned here," Draco notes. "She seems a bit shy, but humans are known to suffer from any number of personality disorders."

"And as for kenning you, it may be useful some day if I can. With your 'imprint', I could mimic you almost completely, down to abilities in flesh shaping and then to appearance so I could fit in your armor, should you have need of me to stand in for you in certain dangerous situations," Alptraum points out. "And yes, Snow is shy. I've been trying to show her that no one here will look at her oddly. And really, if she desires it, she could shed her human form forever with Melusine's assistance if she is that uncomfortable as one."

"I would hesitate to hand someone like that over to Melusine to reshape," Rose admits. "She just doesn't seem the sort to use her ability for the benefit of somebody else."

"It would have to be under careful observation," Alptraum agrees, "So is not something to consider unless it was important. My ability with shaping does not last, alas. So I am not nearly as powerful as she is."

"Perhaps it is just that you don't want to hurt your subjects," Rose suggests, and reaches out to stroke Alptraum's right arm.

"Of course I don't. Well, unless maybe if it was Gallee, then I might," Alptraum admits. "I can't change myself, either. I require help from Kaira to apply an imprint."

"You are still of two worlds," Rose notes, tapping at the lightly glowing lens on Alptraum's wrist. "Although that seems to be changing by degrees."

"The question is where it will stop and what 'world' I will be part of by the end," Alptraum says, "And it worries me sometimes. Will you still accept me, no matter what I might become?"

"I mean, what if my entire body ends up looking like my hand?" Alptraum asks, "Would you find me ugly?"

"Even ugly men can be loved," Rose notes, wiggling her nose at Alptraum. "Beauty is not what is important."

Alptraum laughs. "So, you are not worried about what I might become?" he asks. "You will always accept me?"

Rose nods. "You are the father of my children, and nothing will change that," she notes.

"I still want to be your husband," Alptraum says and even smiles. "Not just the father of your children."

Grinning, Rose says, "For that… it will help if you remain comely. But in time I'm sure you'll be able to exert your will over the shadow-arm without the aid of your dragon."

Alptraum pushes lightly on the orb on the back of his wrist to see how easily it 'moves'. "Ah, so you're saying worst case I will need to make sure I can have a pleasing form when required?" he asks.

The orb wiggles around a bit, but not too far. "For the court, certainly," Rose notes. "The other Ladies must be suitably envious, after all, and their husbands jealous."

"I am probably worrying too much over it. It does not seem to be spreading fast," Alptraum admits, "And I can conceal my right arm with effort. So, how far can it go, really?"

Rose makes a fist and knocks on the ironwood of her desk. "Best not to worry, yes," she agrees.

"And oh, more pleasant matters. Regarding tonight and my parents, we should decide on what we will tell them your job is, if we tell them anything at all. My mother thinks you are a secretary to someone important," Alptraum says and knocks on the desk himself with his right hand. The metallic-coated knuckles echo.

"Hmmm," Rosalind considers. "Personally, I would rather leave it vague and let them guess than to outright lie to them."

"Okay, then as long as you can keep it vague, I can," Alptraum says, "But I have this nagging fear my mother, Sabine, may guess who you really are anyway. She sometimes seems to have this sixth sense about things."

Rose actually laughs then. "She is just being a mother. They all seem to have that sixth sense, but it simply something instilled in children which carries over into adulthood, I assure you."

"Are you nervous about meeting them?" Alptraum asks.

"Terrified, actually," Rosalind admits, although with a grin. "I've never had to do it before."

"It can't be any worse than facing off with nobles in court, can it?" Alptraum asks, grinning.

"Oh yes, because I don't care what the other nobles really think about me," Rose notes. "I don't have to make a good impression on them, merely a powerful one. With your parents, I will need to make a good impression, based solely on my own personality."

"Well, that's easy. You're very likable, beautiful, and fun to be around. And … you don't even have your usual smokey shadow-dragon undercurrent to your scent right now," Alptraum says, grinning.

"And you make the most extraordinary squeaks when I have you pinned down in the bed and I'm nibbling just so … " Alptraum adds, looking very thoughtful about it. "Of course we can't show them that. Even if my father asks… "

"Hmm, I am still older than you, though, and your mother may not approve," Rose notes.

"You don't look older," Alptraum points out.

"And besides, I've found that, well, I prefer older women. So, you're perfect to me," he adds with a grin.

"I hope your mother understands that then," Rose says with a bit of a grin. "I suppose if she is worried about it, I can always admit to being pregnant… "

Alptraum also gives Rosalind a sly grin. "And you can't tell me you don't enjoy the notion of having a younger male who dotes on you," he points out.

"You are not that much younger," Rose claims. "Just young enough to keep up with me."

"Then why are you making it sound like you're so much older?" Alptraum teases. "And oh, going back to Mave. Do you wish me to quit answering her requests for 'worship'?"

"No, it is important that you get on well with her if you are to travel together to Babel," Rose remarks. "And she does save me the trouble of teaching you things," she adds with a wink.

Alptraum laughs at that. "Fair enough!" he admits. "Should I also check in on Melusine before tonight and let her know I have returned?" he asks.

"She may demand to see the repaired crystal," Rose notes. "Although she is too weak right now for the implantation procedure. It is up to you."

"I could tell her it is being prepared for the final implant," Alptraum says and shrugs. "I was wondering if she would have any comments about my, uh, hand. It's probably not important, but you know me. Curiosity and the bat."

"Knowing her, I can't say if she'd comment on it or not," Rose notes with a shake of her head. "Are you planning the dinner meeting for tonight or tomorrow? You still need to chose the venue after all."

"Tonight if at all possible. Did you have other plans that make tonight difficult?" Alptraum asks.

"I just hope to have enough warning is all," Rose says.

"Hm, given the time, it is probably better to plan for tomorrow night," Alptraum admits. "I have to deal with Mave later this evening since she wants a sample of a friend of mine's blood. So … maybe I will check in on Melusine this afternoon and see if she has any opinion on my hand. And hm, perhaps I should bring her a few hogs-worth of energy to tide her over? Then this evening I will deal with Mave and Hexen,"

"I'm sure she will appreciate any visit that involves her being fed," Rose says, with an absolutely straight face.

"Of course that is only possible if you have hogs or similar I can consume to feed to her," Alptraum notes.

"Oh, we always have hogs!" Rose notes with a laugh. "The castle runs on blood and meat, after all."

"And oh, yes. Regarding you changing someone into a hog. The process is … not that bad. It's not unpleasant and how things seem afterward is … different. So it's a somewhat kind punishment," Alptraum says. "I know this because, well, Kaira tested it on me."

"Ah, but you weren't angry beforehand, were you?" Rose asks. "Or resisting?"

"Well, no, so that probably has some effect on how painful it is," Alptraum agrees. He grins, adding, "If you're ever curious, I can have Kaira do it again. Snow thought I was quite handsome as a hog."

"I like you as you are, I think," Rose notes. "To have you as a hog would make it awkward for me to turn others into them."

"Well, I did it to understand what it was like. I am more comfortable now with the idea of using that as punishment for someone," Alptraum notes, smiling.

Rose gives Alptraum a lopsided look, and then shakes her head. "You are always surprising, Alptraum. The hog punishment is less about punishing the ones changed than about instilling fear in those who would challenge Draco County. It doesn't matter how the transformed feel about it."

"It matters to me," Alptraum says and shrugs. "I have been on many sides of many conflicts. I like to understand what is happening and all its consequences."

"You remind me of Lilith then," Rose says, nodding her head.

"It keeps me from becoming too cold. I came very close to doing some things I would have regretted later," Alptraum says. "Now, all that said, I like the transformation punishment more now. For knowing it appears far worse than it is to the transformed."

"In that case, you have my permission to practice your transformations on them," Rose notes. "Especially since it means they will still revert to hogs after wards."

"Are there any other forms you would like me to experiment with as alternate punishments?" Alptraum asks.

"Oh, I leave it up to you," Rose says. "Surprise me!"

"If I were feeling cruel, changing a gallee into a vampiric Eeee might be … interesting," Alptraum remarks and shrugs, "But really, an insult to our kind. snakes and insects are more fitting."

"They'd be awfully big," Rose notes. "Those hogs have bulked up considerably since they were transformed."

"And should I let you get back to your work?" Alptraum asks as he realizes he has occupied a goodly amount of the Countess' time. "The next few days are likely to be very busy."

Rose eyes her pile of paperwork and sighs. "I suppose I've taken enough of a break, until dinner time," she admits. "Be sure try the food at the restaurants before you choose one. You should know your parent's tastes."

"I will," Alptraum says as he stands up and then bows. "Until this evening, then," he says with a smile. "I promise you that they'll love you. As much as I do. And knowing my father, he'll flirt … so just don't sit between him and my mother or you might get hit when she tries to smack him!"