It doesn't take very long for Alptraum to gather the supplies needed (with some help from the Countess) for the resurrection attempt. Two fat hogs are loaded into a wagon, along with extra clothing and traveling money required by the spirit possessing the Frogmilker. The trip from the castle to the abandoned town of Crossroads, just outside of Draco County, is the longest part; it's nearly a full day by fast carriage, and pulling a wagon extends that. It isn't until sunset of the following day that Alptraum and the Skeek wizard arrive in the ruins. The reddish light of the setting sun gives the place an extra level of bleakness.

The mage dismounts from the carriage also, a painfully slow operation as she must navigate her descent with her walking cane in tow. At last, the Skeek maneuvers her weakened body out of the vehicle without falling flat on her face. She takes a few moments to rest and stretch before following the Eeee to the ruined building.

"And just as agreed, it's just us and and three pigs. Two, if we exclude Georgi," Alptraum quips back to the Frogmilker and offers her a grin. Grunting in complaint as Alptraum tows the hogs along, the Eeee has some difficulty in getting them to enter the old, burned out, building. Granted, it is dark inside.

By way of offering a little help with the hogs, the Frogmilker prods the animals along from behind with her cane. "I'm sure it will not surprise you to learn that he didn't appreciate that remark," she comments idly.

After the long ride, the hogs are ornery. Although they're also ornery when relaxed, often as not, but they do manage to make it into the building without taking a bite out of anyone.

"Come on in," Alptraum calls back, "And mind your step. It's dark in here and I know you don't have the night abilities like the Eeee do. I'll get a fire going in the old fireplace in a few minutes. I just need to … hey, my leg is not a cute hog. Stop that."

Hog Number One grunts up at Alptraum, as if to say, You'll do in a pinch.

"I'm also not a woman," Alptraum adds as the sound of rope scraping against stone begins. He's probably securing the hogs to an old pillar.

"Thank you for the warning," the Skeek replies. Alptraum can still hear the thumping of her cane against the ground but the sound slows considerably as the mage picks her way carefully through the shattered building.

Vermites and other critters complain at the intrusion, and the scurrying sounds of their legs make it sound as if there's a brief, indoor rain shower. But eventually they go to ground or vacate, leaving silence in their wake.

The stone floor is generally clear, but a bit uneven. The few soft spots her cane hits are likely from wood that has completely rotted. Well, it could be worse stuff … but best not to think on that. When the rope scraping stops, The Frogmilker can feel Alptraum go by her. "I'll be right back with some wood for a fire," he says.

The Frogmilker feels her way through the 'room' until her fingertips brush what seems to be a sturdy enough wall. She leans against it to rest with a sigh, even closing her eyes. Apparently, the mage has been in stranger places than this before and not minded them.

The wood creaks, most likely from settling as the sun drops and the building cools down. It seems an unlikely place to resurrect someone… but perhaps fitting when that someone is a highwayman.

The mage gets a few minutes of blissful rest with only the sounds of the grunting hogs to keep her company. She can hear Alptraum return as his toe claws make distinct clicks on the stone floor. And even at one point she swears she can almost feel him … or at least a slight 'nudge' from what may have been echo-location. It may have also just been her imagination. There's a clatter that follows as wood is tossed into what she presumes is the old fireplace. Another minute passes and a series of sparks fly from the corner as Alptraum works at trying to get the tinder lit. "How are you holding up?" he calls back.

The Eeee can hear the Frogmilker shift position against the wall, making herself comfortable – or at least, as comfortable as one can get in this abandoned place. "As long as this wall stands and I still have my cane, I will hold up well enough," she replies, sounding faintly amused. If Alptraum didn't know better, he would've sworn the implacable woman was actually making a joke.

"Right. I will skip the full body massage before the transfer," Alptraum quips. A few more sparks fly and the tinder finally catches. As the flames slowly lick over the logs, flickering red light fills the room. Dilapidated it is; it looked better in the dark. Its mostly scorched stone and the pair of hogs are tied tome one of the several strong stone support pillars holding the old floor and collapsed rooms above them from coming down. "So, out 'friend' can hear us?" he now asks, sounding serious. "Is this area to his liking? We are far from other towns and as promised, it's just us."

The mage's oddly-colored eyes are open again, but they appear to be concentrating on something just beyond Alptraum's shoulder. Then she comes back to her surroundings with a tiny shake of her shoulders. "He can hear you. And he seems to be satisfied with your arrangements… so far." Pushing herself away from the wall, she limps closer to the blaze. "Once this fire burns a little more strongly, I will need to make a few preparations before we begin."

"We also need to discuss some particulars before we begin. There are some options on a small portion of the transfer he will have to decide on," Alptraum comments. The Eeee remains crouched by the fire and pokes at it occasionally with a stick. "What preparations do you intend to make?"

Slowly, so slowly, the Frogmilker lowers herself to sit on the floor, a little to one side of Alptraum. Then she puts her cane aside and begins taking small bundles out of the pockets of her robe. "There is a special brew I have been using to bolster my strength during the times Georgi has made his presence just a little too well known," she replies. "I intend to make two droughts of this and take one before we start. The other you must give to me when the process is finished. That will provide me with some extra insurance, if you understand my meaning."

"Indeed," is Alptraum's reply to that. A few more prods to the fire and its now well-burning. So, the Eeee goes to kneel beside one of the hogs. He … actually pets along its back idly.

The hog tries to bite the Eeee, of course.

"Hey, I'm trying to be nice," Alptraum complains to the hog.

The hog doesn't seem to appreciate it. Plus, the hairs on its back are so course they'd hurt an unprotected palm.

When the Frogmilker unwraps her first few bundles, Alptraum can see they contain several finely-ground powders. Two other cloth-wrapped packages contain a few sprigs plucked from flowering plants; one plant's flowers are white with orange-red streaks and the other plant's flowers are an inky black. She also sets out two chitin cups and pours equal amounts of water into each. Last, but certainly not least, she uncorks a bottle of a familiar, white liquid. The faintly fishy smell alone is enough to give away its identity.

"That stuff is seriously nasty," Alptraum remarks as he idly flicks his fingers towards the white liquid. "People whine about vampires, but we have nothing on those who squeeze and drink frogs."

The mage's lips twitch as she also pours equal amounts of the frog's milk into the two cups. "Must I remind you that it never did you any harm when you consumed it?" she asks, again with that faint tone of amusement. "In fact, it's quite full of nutrients."

"That doesn't help its taste. It's like sucking on a sock," Alptraum notes and skews up his muzzle. "Now, if he can hear me right now, to complete this transfer, that necklace has to be moved to the new body as part of it. The question is this: Does he wish me to move it, or does he wish to do it?"

The Skeek pauses in pouring one of the powders into each of the cups. "He wishes to do that," she responds, stirring each mixture with a short, glass rod.

"Understandable," Alptraum agrees. "I only know of Jupani well, so he'll be the model for the body. Just … younger and with less of a body odor. I never could convince Arkold to bathe regularly."

Now that all of the necessary powders have been added to the cups, the Frogmilker makes a gesture with one hand and they levitate themselves over the fire. She holds them there until the contents of each begins to steam faintly.

"The hogs smell better than that milk," Alptraum complains.

Hog the Second, seconds that a grunt. Or maybe it's just a random grunt. At least it wasn't something else.

"Then cover your nose," the mage offers helpfully. The glass rod raises itself, too, and floats over to stir the mixtures in the cups.

"Showoff," Alptraum quips as he watches the levitating cups.

"It's preferable to sticking my hands in the fire," the Skeek replies. With another gesture, two of the orange-red flowers float above the first cup and two of the black flowers float above the second. They wither and burn almost instantly because of their close proximity to the flames. Once their ashes drop into the cups, the glass rod stirs them again.

"Bah, a few burns never hurt anyone. Well, they hurt the person who got them, but … well, where was I going with that? That analogy fell completely flat. Crud," Alptraum complains. The Eeee then shakes his fists towards the ceiling, adding, "Curse you, fumbled words."

At last, the cups leave the fire and float back over to rest on the ground in front of the Frogmilker. "There. Once the contents cool, I can drink the first batch. The second batch I shall save for after the procedure."

"So, shall we begin, then? I hope you don't mind being bored for a least an hour while I craft the template," Alptraum comments and stands again.

"Take all the time you need. The chance to rest would be welcome," the Skeek says mildly.

"Right!" Alptraum says and claps his hands. "Now, as you can see, I don't have anything up my sleeves," the Eee begins and even shows the sleeves of his shirt. "But, with a touch of my hand … I will make this hog disappear!" he finishes with and places his hand on the closest hog. The creature freezes completely and liquid shadow flows over its body. Alptraum closes his eyes as the shadow complete covers it. The Eeee shudders and as the shadow draws back, the hog is gone. When his eyes slowly open, his silvery iris both now glow in the dim room with an eerie silvery-white light.

The second hog actually squeals when it's partner vanishes. And then checks to see if there was anything left in its feed bowl.

"And you called me the showoff," the Frogmilker comments, finally lifting the first cup to her lips and drinking the contents.

"I am an entertainer, we're required by natural law to show off," Alptraum claims with a grin, "Now, that was the easy part. It gets harder from here." With a sigh, Alptraum moves to the second hog. He crouches beside it and lays his hand upon in. As before, the hog freezes, and as before, inky darkness consumes it. But instead of drawing back … it slowly begins to reshape. Must like before it's a long and tedious process where shadow moves mere inches in several minutes.

"Mmm," the the mage's only response to this. She starts packing away her potion ingredients as Alptraum works on the second hog, then moves the second cup out of harm's way, for later use.

The hog's shape sags and deforms, like slowly melting wax. It takes awhile before it looks even vaguely lupine, and even then it's a wolf that's lying on its side and curled up in a fetal position.

And from there time continues to tick by … perhaps four hours later Alptraum's eyes open. As the inky shadow withdraws, laying on the floor is the curled up body of a young Jupani. Physically well built, dark gray with a lighter chest, and a dark-blonde mop of hair atop his head. Alptraum groans tiredly at this point, slumping a bit. Alptraum's hand remains resting gently on its leg as he says weakly (and looks a little more gray himself), "Time to put the necklace on him. I can finalize the bind once placed."

During all this time, the mage has been sitting cross-legged on the floor with her eyes closed, only occasionally getting up to walk around a little and stretch her legs. When Alptraum speaks, her body shudders and her eyes slowly open – but this time, both irises shine yellow-gold. She stands without the use of her cane and walks over to the newly-minted Jupani's body lying on the floor. She nudges it with one toe, looking it over with a coldly-appraising stare. "It will do," she growls, her voice lowering an entire octave, "but I will have to hone it later." Then her eyes move to the Eeee's. "Now don't move, boy. If you do before I've put the necklace on my new form, all bets are off."

"I will keep my end of the agreement. Just keep yours," is all Alptraum tells the 'creature'. And true to his work, the Eeee remains completely motionless, save for the shallow rise and fall of his chest while as breathes.

The curled up canine doesn't move either, beyond breathing.

The Skeek flashes Alptraum a very uncharacteristic smile – all teeth and with more than a little of a sneer. "Good boy," she says, then barks a laugh. Finally taking her eyes off the Eeee, she reaches up and back, touching her fingers to the clasp of the necklace. Unlike her demonstration weeks before, the metal does not try to attack her hands. Instead, the two ends come apart easily. She moves to put the necklace around the other 'Jupani's' throat.

The unconscious Jupani doesn't resist, obviously, even though it's a bit of effort to lift his head at first and get the necklace around it.

As the necklace drapes over the newly formed body and the clasps touch, Alptraum says tiredly, "There. I can complete the binding." Alptraum's eyes once more droop closed and his brow furrows with intensity. Moments later for Georgi, and indeed, even Annika, the room starts to grow hazy and ripple before their shared eyes. To Georgi, he can feel what a tug on his spirit that turns into a rush towards the new body before him. To his 'eyes' the before him grows and grows as rushes towards it … and then with a sensation like being hit with a hammer between the eyes, everything goes dark for him. The room grows deathly still as Alptraum and the Frogmilker seem frozen in time. A chirp of insects in the dark and the chitter of vermites intrude. It's then as if time resumes … and both the older Skeek and the Eeee simply fall limp to the floor, as if there were nothing more than puppets and their strings freshly cut.