Maybe it's because Nicora (the Eeee formerly known as Alptraum), has quite a presence, or maybe it's because of the silliness … but when she's away, it's noticeable. Snow somehow found herself sleeping with the Countess even without her consort (and Snow's partner in macabre dealings) being around. Thankfully the Countess didn't bite her at least, since without Nicora the wound cannot be quickly healed without scarring. Still, she had to try and sleep listening to the rumbling of the Countess' stomach at night.

It's now around lunchtime of the following day and with little to do, Snow is laying on her stomach on the royal bed, reading through of the books from the library. She did try to read in the library, but due to her condition making it hard for her to wear clothing for any length of time it proved to be too distracting to the other folk in the library (which, mind you are just castle staff). So back she went to the bedroom. It's been leisurely and quiet since then; quite the lovely morning, really.

Of course befitting the nature of Sylvania, as soon as Snow thinks that there is a weight on her back and two arms pinning hers down to the bed. Her face is also unceremoniously stuffed into the open book she had been reading.

"Oh look what we have here," purrs a voice that sounds exactly like Countess Draco, "A wayward little shrine maiden, trapped in the tower of two lascivious vampires who desire both her blood and her body. Such a tasty morsel." Snow can feel something tickle down the center of her back, a nose perhaps. She doesn't have long to think on it, as she feels a rather long tongue lick her from the base of her spine slowly up to the back of her neck, then playfully bite around her neck, though not nearly enough to puncture skin, the sharp teeth just pinprick, release, and then the weight rolls off of her on her right side.

With her body free, Snow can now see Nicora laying next to her in the bed, grinning cheerfully. The face is very much the Countess Draco's in shape, but even with all of that, bits of Alptraum's personality still manage to shine through; particularly when she's being playful. She's dressed simply, but still manages to look elegant in a flowing blouse and skirt that manages to accentuate what small curvature the female Eeee body has.

"Hello, Sister Snow Toadstool," Nicora purrs at her, then bats her eyelashes at the human. "It's a lovely day, isn't it?"

The human girl just stares back for a moment, and says, "You are entirely too cheerful, Nicora. Are you plotting evil, or did something nice happen to you?"

"My menarche has past!" Nicora declares giddily and rolls onto her back. She pats her hands on her lower abdomen, adding, "No more pain, no more thick ooze, no more moodiness. I feel just lovely. Last night was wonderful, too."

"What happened last night?" Snow asks warily.

"I spent it with a wonderful gentleman. We played music and he made me feel beautiful," Nicora admits. Her lips draw back in a light smile as she remembers the evening.

"You… had a date," Snow says, a bit slowly, "with a man?"

"I don't know if you can call it a date," Nicora says, "But I was with a man."

The girl still looks a bit confused. "What made it so wonderful then?" she finally asks.

Nicora's head rolls to the side so she's looking at Snow again. "He's a gentleman that Lilith recommended for Phlagaea and Rosalind to use when they feel lonely while I'm gone," she explains. "A Lapi buck named Galand. I wanted to be sure he would be safe for them … and yes, I believe he will be." The question Snow asks gives her a bit of pause, then she admits, "He showed me not to be afraid of my sexuality. He showed me how wonderful it can be. I'm … not uncomfortable with this body any more."

"Well… oh, did you have sex with this Lapi then?" Snow suddenly asks with wide eyes.

Nicora licks her lips, then looks at the ceiling. "Ah … seven times," she admits in a quiet voice.

Snow cogitates on this for awhile, and then asks, a bit quietly, "Is that normal?"

"For Lapi, yes," Nicora says as she looks back to her friend. "I haven't … creeped you out, have I?"

"I've always known you've had other lovers," Snow notes. "I don't see how it should bother me now… "

"Not male ones, though," Nicora says as she rolls back to her side and rests her right hand on Snow's hip. "He honestly just made me feel good and knew just how to ease away my insecurities. When it all … happened it just felt right. I'm sure he would spend time with you too if you wish? I can ask him. He's blind, so he does not judge on appearance."

"Or … I could turn you into a male Lapi, if it would make you feel better?" Nicora offers in a teasing tone.

The girl blinks at this last offer. "What… a male Lapi? To be with another male Lapi?" she asks uncertainly.

"No no, to be with me," Nicora explains, "Unless you don't mind two women … Mave showed me some techniques for that."

"Oh… well, hmm," the girl goes, as if she hadn't really thought about it. "It would be odd, because… well… when have I ever really done that without using my ability before? It's usually part of training after all… "

"Well, think on it. I would like a night with you before I leave because I will miss you. You are my partner," Nicora notes as she sits up and gently shakes her head to get her hair to roll behind her shoulders. "And I do have something serious to ask you about. I need Kaira to shift me back to my old body to make sure that works okay. I also want to test how long the body remains before reverting begins; like what happened with you and Tulani's form. Will you be willing to sit with me when I do this? And … I want you to test your lures on me when I am physically male again; I want to see if they work at all, or if I'm still completely female in mind."

"Oh, I can do that," Snow says, sitting up and crossing her legs… and then setting her book in her lap. "So… you still find me attractive, even as a woman?" she asks, tilting her head a little.

"You, Phlagaea, and Rosalind I still find very beautiful," Nicora says as she crosses her legs in front of herself and pulls out her dagger, though she doesn't slot it yet. "I believe it is because I love the person, the gender doesn't matter."

"That's good to know," Snow says, and bites her lower lip. "You seemed to like me more when I was a Sphynx is all."

"It was exotic," Nicora admits as she eases the tip of her dagger into the opening in her right arm. "I like you. The trapping is … like clothing? A way to accentuate different aspects."

A little dragon head appears over Nicora's wrist, and says, "Whoa, naked chick! What do you need of me, oh Mistress?"

"Not very polite, Kaira," Nicora chastises the little dragon. "It's time we tested how well I revert back to my old body. Snow is going to keep watch over me. I plan to see how well the initial reversion is, then disconnect you and see how long it is before my body starts reverting back to this." She waves at herself, "Just give me a couple minutes to disrobe. I wonldn't want to damage these clothes with a size change." She slips off the bed and goes about disrobing. Turns out Nicora is wearing her Vyktoria crafted clothing underneath her other clothes, including the dainty lacy panties.

"You wear lace well," the dragon comments. Of course, once the underthings are off… Snow asks if she can try them.

Nicora offers the underclothing to Snow. "Feel free to experiment with them while Kaira works on me," Nicora says as she crawls back onto the bed and lies on her back. "I only ask that you keep track of time. I want to know how long it takes for changes to be done. It's good for planning. I need a safe place to change, and safe is often a factor of time. Are you ready, Kaira?"

"Okay, power level is optimum," the dragon recites. "You seem calm, no more mammalian reproductive cycle issues… I think we're good. Best to lie on your side for this."

Nicora rolls to her side. "I'm mostly calm," she admits, "I'm worried this isn't going to work well, after what you told me when I visited you. But we had best know now." She lets her eyes close and says, "Do it."

There's the familiar sensation of the shadow spreading to engulf her, and the descent into bodiless limbo. Time is arbitrary here, but eventually sensation returns. The Eeee's body feels heavier again, and there's an odd sense of detachment before it all starts to feel like him again.

Mm," Alptraum mutters, his voice deeper once more … and thicker. His eyes remain closed and he wiggles his fingers and toes. When those respond he slowly opens his eyes. His hands feel his backside, finding the tail gone. That ears a brief smile as he now sits up. One hand feels over his chest while the other feels his newly restored appendage, testing its sensitivity to touch (and that everything is male down there for all intents and purposes."

It certainly responds normally, although it still seems a bit… alien at the moment. "That took about five minutes," Snow notes. "A lot faster than the pig change."

"I don't feel right," Alptraum admits as he stretches about. "My hips feel wrong somehow, and I feel all tight in my back," he explains as he slides off the bed and onto his feet a bit wobbly. "I seem to look complete, though."

"Yes, except for your hair," Snow points out. "It's still got that shading to it that looks like a skull… "

"Oh, right. That doesn't surprise me," Alptraum admits and goes to look in a mirror. "Kaira, can you mask the hair, but not damage it, so the skull returns when I revert?" After a few steps snorts and laughs, "Now it feels weird to have things swinging down there."

"I don't know that I can do that, actually, since it's dye and bleach," Kaira notes. At least in this light, the skull isn't so prominent, since the underlying color of Alptraum's hair is white instead of black now.

"I think you look fine," Snow says, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Are you ready to test the rest?"

"It wouldn't be that noticeable if I braid my hair," Alptraum remarks after some thought. He takes a few steps and stumbles. A laugh later he says, "Right, I can't roll my hips any more." Alptraum then turns and faces Snow, smiling. "I'm ready to test it. Try your lures?" he asks, spreading his arms wide.

"Well, first… maybe you should just kiss me?" the girl suggests. "Let's see how you respond without the lures first."

Alptraum walks back over to the bed and settles down on it. The way he sits, though, has hints of 'demure lady', and lacking some of the directness a male would normally have. He reaches up and lightly cups Snow's cheeks, then draws her in, kissing the human gently at first to see how it feels.

There's a tingle, and a response… but it feels muted, as if it were behind a curtain in his mind. But 'Little Alptraum' has a mind of its own, and responds immediately!

Alptraum tries a bit longer, then releases Snow. "It's nice," he admits, "But I don't feel the same thrill I had before Melusine modified me. However, this seems to work fine." He looks down at 'Little Alptraum' and laughs. "Doesn't look like the serpent, but still acts like it."

Snow checks it out herself, and after a few moments nods and decides, "It doesn't seem any different than before. I'll try my lure now." The girl's pale skin flushes towards pink, and Alptraum can feel… a pull, but not the brain-melting lust. "Anything?" Snow asks, a bit out of breath since the lure gets her own system worked up too.

Alptraum smiles weakly. "I felt a pull, but … no lust at all," he admits.  "That isn't a good sign, is it?"

"Okay… both lures then," Snow says. Her body seems to glow then, and Alptraum's teeth itch just as his stomach rumbles. This lure still has all of its potency!

Alptraum's head tilts, his jaws grit … and then the Eeee can't help himself! His head lurches forward and he sinks his fangs into her shoulder, just at the base of Snow's neck! His arms soon wrap around her at the Eeee starts drinking Snow's blood!

He can feel his prey writhing against him and crying out… and then something happens. The curtain separating the two lures burns away, and the lust rushes into his mind like a flood of boiling desire!

There's a growl from Alptraum when the second lure burns into him … and Snow soon finds herself pierced in another way. Alptraum's body is working on pure instinct as he clutches the human to him, growling as both hungers begin to be satisfied. What little of Alptraum's cognitive mind is operating is trying to calm the body down so that he doesn't hurt Snow!

There's no way to avoid being a bit rough, and Snow ends up with some scratches and slight bruising in her tender areas… but she doesn't turn off the lures. Eventually though, she eases off on the monster lure, and then the lust lure fades, even if it's effects don't: apparently spending time as a female just makes the isolated male parts more virile.

"I'm so sorry," Alptraum whispers in Snow's ear after his fangs leave her shoulder. "I wasn't expecting the surge when you used the … monster lure. Not like that." His arms release Snow and he winces as his fingers twitch as he lightly touches over some of the bruising. "I didn't mean to hurt you," he says, ears flattened. "Please forgive me. I can't heal you right now, either. Not while Kaira is in control. I need to disconnect her to be able to fix you."

"Well, I've seen enough if you want to unplug and see how long you last," Kaira offers – or at least her voice does.

"She's rather insensitive," Snow remarks, still breathing heavily. "You will make it up to me later, by being very gentle… if Rose and Phlagaea leave anything, I mean."

Alptraum eases away from Snow, careful to not hurt her any more than he already has. The Eeee considers something, then holds his right arm out to Snow. "You withdraw it," he offers the human, "I don't know what will happen, so it may be safer to have it away from me quickly."

Snow groans a bit as she sits up, and slips the dagger out. Alptraum feels a slight ripple run through him, but no immediate change otherwise.

"So, after all that, do you long for a Lapi buck?" Snow asks.

"Mrgph," Alptraum says and rocks forward when the ripple runs through him. "Well, that wasn't so bad," he adds, holds out his hands, and wiggles his fingers. "I seem to be holding up well." Of course he checks over his chest, hips, and Little Alptraum, just to be safe.

Everything feels normal at least. Then again, who knows how long it will last! Will his own Shadow have precedence over Mel? Will his lack of resistance to shifting make things last longer? So many questions!

Alptraum has to think about Snow's question. "I do still feel a bit of a tingle when I think about the Lapi," he admits, "It's less, but it is there. I don't regret what happened last night." He shakes his head out a bit as he tries to clear those thoughts. "What did you feel when you began to revert?" he asks as he slips off the bed and walks around a bit, satisfied everything seems to feel normal.

"I didn't feel anything much, really," Snow admits. "Just… tired. And… uh… you can use your healing now right?" she asks.

Alptraum holds up his right hand and tries to extrude the shadow a bit from it.

It feels nice and familiar, as the dark tendrils wave about, seeking something to latch onto.

Alptraum moves back to the bed and sits beside Snow. He extends his arm and places it upon Snow's leg. The Eeee's eyes close as he extrudes the shadow across Snow's scratched and bruised body, seeking out the injuries and trying to let life energy flow into them and accelerate healing.

Now something feels different – the shadow is drawing a bit more energy than usual, but it's still working.

"Oooo," Snow says, as the bruising goes down.

Alptraum opens his eyes now, suddenly worried. "This is taking more power than it used to," he whispers. "It is working, but something is different." He looks down at his own body while the life energy flows into Snow.

"Maybe because you're using some to maintain your form?" Snow suggests.

"Maybe?" Alptraum agrees as he continues to repair Snow's injuries. When they feel more or less back to normal, Alptraum draws the shadow back in, releasing his hold on the human.

"So, do you remember where your clothes are?" Snow asks, stretching a bit now that her skin is repaired.

"Which clothes?" Alptraum asks as he looks around. "My old clothes should be in the closet."

"Sure you don't want these back?" Snow asks, holding up the lacy stuff on one finger. "It was too small for me."

Alptraum takes the panties and eyes them. The reaction is … confusion as he looks at them. The Eeee then actually holds them up to see if they will fit.

"I can't wear them right now, either," Alptraum admits after checking. "I'm not sure what I should do now. Just … wait? Try and mentally relax anything that might be holding the form?"

"Well, do you want it to revert?" Snow asks, leaning forward.

"A little," Alptraum admits, folding his ears down. "The other body still feels more natural right now."

"Well, do you want to do each other's nails, or lick me?" Snow asks, sounding serious. "Although I suppose you could visit Phlagaea… "

Alptraum ears perk. "I should visit Phlagaea! I need to spend time with her," he agrees, smiling again. "Before this reverts. I also need to offer thanks to Gorphat for her blessing. As agonizing as it was, it did help help me adjust to what Melusine did to me. I even kept a vial of the blood from my menarche to offer to her. And it feels really weird to have just said that!"

Snow grins… wickedly? "If you need any help with her, just whistle," she offers.

"I will," Alptraum says as he grabs a robe from the closet … and both a collection of male and female clothing, just in case. The last thing he grabs is a small vial from the dresser which is full of some slimy-looking dark red fluid. "I should probably wait for reversion before offering this," he mutters to himself, then nods once. "I'll see you in a bit! Thank you Snow. I'm going to miss you on the road, you keep me grounded." Out the door he goes!

"Of course, I don't have any wings," Snow remarks with a grin.

"But you could!" Alptraum calls back, "But I have other things in mind for you first!"

"And you're going to introduce us all to your Lapi friend, right?" she asks next, a bit nervously. "I'm not good at meeting new people… "

"Of course, but you cannot tell him Nicora is also Alptraum, the Countess consort. He knows me as a relative of the Draco's, and that's enough," Alptraum says as his head pops in the doorway. "I do think you'll like him. He's just like me! Only … more charming, a better musician, stronger … Aw Dagh. Oh well, I guess I just have to improve!"

"Mmm-hmmm, I'll take your word for it," Snow says. The smell of Phlagaea's incense tickles his nose then – and it's not as powerful as it was the other night, to his masculine nose.

"Excuse me," Alptraum says to Snow … then goes across the hall to Phlagaea's room in a hurry. He raps his knuckles on the door. "Did someone order a dashingly handsome Eeee who rescues damsels in distress and is in all ways amazing?" he says to the door. "I hear one is available for a short time… "

"Is that he door guard?" Phlagaea asks, throwing the door open. "Oh! Alptraum! You're back!" she says, smiling! Then she looks suspicious. "It's you right? Not Rose or Snow changed to look like you?"

Alptraum's brow goes up, then he lifts his right hand, showing off the shadow flesh and metallic frame. His left hand also goes up and shows off the vial of slimey goo. "How many men do you know with a mutilated hand and a vial of blood from a menarche Gorphat herself made horrible?" he asks with a grin.

"Well… just one recently," Phlagaea admits, with a grin. "So, why the change back? Did you get tired of being a woman?"

"Testing how long I remain male after Kaira shifts me," Alptraum explains, "May I come in?"

"Oh, sure!" Phlagaea says, opening the door and fanning her hands a bit. "I was just… um… trying to get rid of a nasty scent… "

"What sort of scent?" Alptraum asks as he slips inside the room and sniffs. He tosses his pile of clothing next to the nest of a bed. The vial, though, he sets it down carefully on a counter.

"I've been getting pretty gassy," Phlagaea admits. "It's not as much fun as I was led to believe!"

"No, no it isn't. It's often funny when you're drunk, but not so much other times," Alptraum admits with a laugh! "So, how are you feeling? You do have a lovely little stomach that's starting to bulge?" he asks as he slips up behind her and runs both his hands over her belly.

The Yodh giggles. "Ooo, you're frisky too!" she says. "And I feel… pudgy! I'm afraid to fly now."

"Oh, I know how to make you soar," Alptraum teases as his hands slip lower to tease someplace else. "I do owe you quite a bit, your help has been invaluable to me in dealing with being a woman," he says, "And it sounds so strange to say that."

"I've been eating pudding too," Phlagaea admits. "It's really gooo-oooo!" she says, as the teasing gets to her. "So, Gorphat's blessing made you better?" she asks with a purr, slipping out of her dressing gown.

"It was agony, a symphony of pain and ichor," Alptraum admits, "But it did help me learn my new body and helped me over-come many hang ups I had about it. Gorphat forced me to be female, something I needed. So, yes, her blessing made me better. I intend to pray to her and offer her that vial of blood from my menarche once I revert back to being a woman. It would feel too strange offering it while male."

"You're going back?" Phlagaea asks, turning and pinching Alptraum's behind. "I'm going to be lonely again! I'm jealous of Rose and Snow… "

Alptraum shrugs his shoulders and lets his robe slide off them and down to the floor. "Gorphat is terrifying, but I have to admit, she helped me. I actually feel … honored she took enough interest in me to bless me," he adds, "And no, you won't! I met a Lapi who would be a lovely companion for you. He's blind, so never judges by how someone looks, and an accomplished musician. He would take amazing care of you. I can check on the guard too, still, of course."

"What's wrong with how I look now?" Phlagaea asks with a gasp, and starts feeling her face. "My breasts are bigger, and my hips… it's my color, isn't it? It's brown! Brown is ugly on me! I'm UGLY!"

Ah, pregnancy…

"No! You're beautiful! You were lovely when green, you're lovely brown," Alptraum says and kisses her. "My point was you wouldn't have to worry about any judgment from him. He'll adore you; he adored Nicora and I'm much less likable than you are."

"Wait… how do you know he'd take care of me?" Phlagaea asks, mood back to her 'normal' perky self.

"Because he's a gentleman and caring. Now speaking of leaving, is there anything you need me to do before leaving? Or while gone?" Alptraum asks Phlagaea as he uses his now superior strength to lift her up and carry her over to her nest. He settles her down in it, then climbs in to join her. Instead of just teasing with his hands … he starts teasing with the Shadow.

"Oooo, I can think of something… oh wait, YES, there IS something I need you to do!" the woman says, then flips around and digs through her nest, wiggling her rear at Alptraum while she searches.

Alptraum leans over and nips Phlagaea's backside while she searches. "Take your time, I have a lovely view," he teases her.

"Aha!" Phlagaea says, and comes back up with… an very ugly doll made of hair. It's more of a stick-figure, with the wings crudely woven into mats. "I need you take this to the Temple in Babel. You remember the way, right?"

Alptraum gently takes the doll and peers at it. "I do, and I also remember the death traps in the rear entrance," he notes. "What exactly is this? What is it for?" He also sniffs it to see if he can tell whose hair it is.

"It's an offering to Gorphat," Phlagaea notes. "You just need to bring it to the central altar, and burn it there."

"What are you offering?" Alptraum asks, "Not that it will change my mind, I'll go."

"Oh, it's my hair," Phlagaea notes. "It's just a little ritual that all Yodhgorphat have to do once a year, and since I don't have a proper temple here yet… "

"I also guess this means once you give birth, you'll return to being the High Priestess?" Alptraum asks and waggles his brow at her. "I have to admit, there is a thrill knowing I'm the consort of the High Priestess of Gorphat."

"Well, you are a Bargorphat… although when you're female I suppose that doesn't count," Phlagaea notes. "When do I get to meet the 'gentleman' you found to be my new servant?"

"You could anoint my female form as honorary Yodhgorphat," Alptraum teases Phlagaea and nuzzles her neck. "As for Galand, in a day or so. Once I figure out my time limit as a male and settle some minor plans."

"Oh, but you're going as a Yodhsunala, so… you can't play for both teams," Phlagaea notes, leaning into the nuzzle. "Can you guess which parts of me have gotten softer since last time?"

"Is there anything I need to do as an honorary Bargorphat while at the temple? I won't be female the entire time," Alptraum asks as he nibbles here and there.

"And oh, I think I can guess which parts," he adds as he slides his hands up to cup Phlagaea's chest gently. "Here is one set."

"Oooo! So you still remember how to be a man, it seems," Phlagaea coos. "Why didn't you try this when you were a girl though?"

"I wasn't comfortable as a woman," Alptraum admits, "Now, though … I think Nicora would enjoy you very much." Alptraum licks along Phlagaea's ear.

"Okay… less talking… more enjoying… " Phlagaea says. "Inala doesn't have to know… "

Alptraum presses one finger to his lips, then one to hers. His eyes narrow as his smile grows wider. Memories of last night return to Alptraum … and he uses this to his advantage as he spends the next several hours enjoying Phlagaea very much. Everything is broken into acts, designed to tease and increase the desire Phlagaea feels. The Eeee's tongue comes into great use here, the length and flexibility doing wonders to tease and tickle Phlagaea expertly, trying to drive her crazy. The hours are mostly play, teasing and exploration, treating Phlagaea's body as a temple. It's only after Phlagaea starts to plead does the Eeee finally give his offering to her in a fog of chaos and pleasure.

"Where did you learn all that?" Phlagaea finally asks, after she recovers enough to form words. "Have you been practicing with Mave?"

"Galand," Alptraum murmurs as he rests his chin against her shoulder.

"The Lapi? Did he do this to you?" Phlagaea asks.

"He did it to Nicora," Alptraum murmurs, "It … taught me a lot."

"So… he can do this for me too?" Phlagaea asks with wide eyes. "Do I have to share him?"

"Yes, with Snow and Rosalind," Alptraum says with a bemused smile. "Given it was seven times of practice with Nicora, I think he will be fine with all of you." He stretches a bit and runs his free hand down his chest absently, checking the condition of his body.

Everything still feels proper, although the power-gem might be a tiny bit dimmer. At least he didn't need to call on Snow for support.

"I wonder if the time is controlled by the gem power?" Alptraum muses to himself, "That would make sense. I suppose I could try to forcibly stop sustaining it."

"How can you test it?" Phlagaea asks. "How do you use up energy?"

"Well, I could reshape someone and use up the remaining energy," Alptraum suggests. "I could turn Snow into a Lapi… "

"Why a Lapi?" Phlagaea asks. "I don't think I've ever met one."

"Because they're intense in bed," Alptraum notes with a grin, "It would give you practice for when you meet Galand… "

"What… fool around with Snow?" Phlagaea asks, alarmed. "Isn't she a bit creepy though?"

"Not at all. She's amazing," Alptraum says and reaches up to tweak Phlagaea's nose. "I could stay with you two, of course."

"To tell her what to do?" Phlagaea asks. "Oh… wait… do you mean turning her into a male Lapi?"

"Exactly," Alptraum says with a huge grin. "With all the goo and stuff you've been exposed to … you're afraid of Snow?"

"She's a witch," Phlagaea says in a whisper. "She can control minds and command demons… "

Alptraum points at himself, "And I'm a mutant Eeee. Snow is a nice person."

"I'm not sure how else to use up my remaining energy," Alptraum admits, "Other than that. "Is there any ritual you know I could channel it into?"

"Well, nothing I'd risk trying in my current state," Phlagaea notes. "Besides, Rose should be back soon, if she isn't already. You don't want to run out of energy before that do you?"

"Oh, true, I don't. I would like to see Rosalind before I change back. Mind if I leave my blood here to offer later?" Alptraum asks Phlagaea. "And uhm, even when I'm female … do you want me to make love to you?"

"Depends on how good the Lapi guy is," Phlagaea says. "And you can leave the vial here if you label it. I don't want it getting confused with the others… "

"I'll just … take it with me. Is there any special thing I need to do when offering it to Gorphat," Alptraum asks as he curls up with Phlagaea, his ears flicked towards her door so he can hear when the Countess comes in.

"I'll show you the proper way," Gorphat says. "You'll need some clean towels… "

"I won't have to drink it or anything, right?" Alptraum makes sure.

"Of course not!" Phlagaea says, giving Alptraum an odd look. "Maybe you've spent too much time with Mave… "

"I don't know much about Gorphat's rituals!" Alptraum says, "And she's scary. She said she liked blood."

"I should wait until I revert, correct? Since it is related to what I endured as a woman?" Alptraum verifies.

"Oh yes, otherwise she'll want something else from you probably," Phlagaea notes. There is some noise from the hall – it sounds like the main door being opened.

"And her blessings are never permanent, right?" Alptraum asks as he sits up a bit, listening for the distinct sound of Rosalind's voice.

"Well, sometimes they do," Phlagaea notes. "I mean, the ones that people don't recover from, but really those don't last very long." There's an echo of a voice – Rose thanking the guard?

"It sounds like Rose is home. I'm going to go surprise her," Alptraum says as he slips his arms from Phlagaea and then climbs out of the nest bed. He heads to pick up his vial, then furrows his brow. Hard to surprise someone while holding a vile of disgusting blood. So, he grabs a quill, dips it in some ink, and writes N-M on the stopper, for Nicora, Menarche. He sets it away from the others too, then slinks over to the door and listens.

Footsteps, as Rose walks past, heading towards… the bathroom? Yes, the sound of running water would confirm that. Is she filling the bath?

Alptraum lets his shadow flow, encasing his body in its warmth. With a bit of concentration, he gets it to ripple and flow a bit more like clothing so it doesn't look quite like a skin-tight body suit. He opens the door quietly and tiptoes towards the bathroom.

There's some quiet chatter from the bathroom – too low to make out over the sound of the water. But then the water stops running, and the sound of sloshing as someone enters the tub replaces it.

Alptraum tries to peer into the bathroom to see who is in there. It sounded like more than one person!

A glimpse caught in the mirror shows, Rose's back, her wings obscuring most of the view.

Alptraum slinks into the bathroom. "I hear the sound of water touching the back of a beautiful angel of the shadows," he says. "Water is so ill-fit to touch you."

Rose turns her head to look over her shoulder in surprise at Alptraum! And then Snow turns her head to look over her shoulder as well, from where she's sitting in the tub in front of Rose. "You haven't turned back into a woman, Alptraum," the human helpfully points out.

"No, my body seems stable as long as I have power in my hand," Alptraum says with a wicked grin and holds up said hand. "So, let's just say I'm spending my time tending to the women who make my life worth living," he adds. "But if you two are busy I can leave you to to your bath?"

"I was just trying to whet my appetite," Rose notes with a smile. "Although if you're here… I can bite you. Or Snow. Or both of you. Come rub my feet at least?"

Alptraum taps his neck. "You're biting me," he insists as he heads over to the tub, settles on its rim, then spins around so that he's sitting with his feet in the water. He reaches down and gently lifts up one of Rose's feet. Once he has it, he starts gently massaging between her toes. "And you can bite her after I turn her into a Lapi male," he says, still grinning wickedly. "Lilith's friend is quite charming, he will do well to keep you relaxed while I am gone."

"Oh, you've met him then?" Rose asks, while Snow just gets a surprised look on her face at the mention of turning her into a Lapi buck.

Alptraum flashes a fangy grin to Snow, then winks. "I met him last night. He is an elegant gentleman and an amazing musician. We placed a small concert together," he explains as his fingers continue to massage, trying to relax the strong muscles of Rose's Eeee feet.

"I should say he met Nicora," Alptraum adds, "Who he understands id a distant relative of Lilith's, since Nicora has Draco facial features. I left out the part of being your consort. He does know your consort is leaving, though, on a dangerous trip.""

"And he's blind if I recall," Rose points out. "So how will he not think I'm you?"

"He knows Nicora has a mutant hand. Plus, I am not as confident in how I present myself when Nicora as you are normally," Alptraum admits. "I can mimic your body well, your personality I have much to work on."

"Alright then," Rose says with a grin. "And he's handsome? Are you going to change Snow into him for me?" This causes Snow to turn and give Rose a 'not you too!' look.

"Plus … can you play a flute?" Alptraum asks. "No, Snow will become Tora, a buck I met at the spa. Quite strapping. Good practice before you meet Galand." Alptraum then looks to Snow and says, "I need to drain my remaining energy to see how the reversion will go. Shaping you is the fastest way. But … if you truly do not wish me to, I will not. I do think you will enjoy it, but I will not force."

"I suppose I need to get used to these things," Snow admits, still sounding nervous.

"Well, you are living with us as our plaything," Alptraum says, grins, and winks to the Countess.

Rose leans in, resting her chin on Snow's shoulder, and asks, "Will she still taste the same?" She even reaches around to squeeze the girl, making her squeak. "And I assume you and I will have some private time before you try to become a woman again?"

"Before I change Snow," Alptraum agrees and nods. "And yes, she will taste similar." Alptraum then bats his eyes, though and adds, "But I was hoping you would bite me."

"Oh I… " Rose starts to say, but ends with a growl, as she stares at Alptraum. A wave of lust washes over Alptraum then as well, while Snow slowly extricates herself from the bath as the two Eeee are completely focused on one another. "Hungry… " Rose growls, licking her lips.

"Evil Snow," Alptraum rumbles, though he doesn't go after Snow at all. Instead, water sloshes and Alptraum finds Rosalind in his arms. His head throws to the side and though it is a bit rough, he uses a free hand to guide her jaws down to his neck. "Bite," he growls as he closes his eyes then drags his claws down her back, not enough to scratch … but not ignorable.

Filled with monster-lust, Rose bites down and sucks! Her claws dig in to Alptraum's back… and then she seems to come to her senses as the Monster Lure fades before she can hurt her paramour. "I… wow… that was something… " Rose admits, licking at the bite wound, before sucking on it some more. The lure on Alptraum hasn't gone away though!

It's slightly disturbing that the pain of the bite excites Alptraum all the more. "No stopping," he growls to her and nudges her head back down. Again his claws rake down Rosalind's back as they get into position to lift her up and into his lap. The fire in his neck only fuels him further, his hands exploring Rosalind as she suckles. When he feels her jaws finally pull away from him, he doesn't even ask, his head tilts and he bites down on her neck and begins drinking from her. He shifts again and the two Eeee join; the Shadow-Eeee lost in the lust that Snow 'cursed' him with. The sounds that follow are guttural and animalistic from that bathroom, intermixed with the sloshing of water and a lot of thumping about. The staff will have a time cleaning up that bathroom if Snow's ears are working right…

Once the waves have settled, Alptraum realizes that Rose tastes different. Pregnancy adds flavor! And this time he'll need to use the shadow both on her and himself.

When his mind is a little more clear, Rosalind even gets a precursor to Galand as the Eeee shows how much Rosalind means to him by spending the next hour concerned with just her pleasure using tricks he learned last night. He makes sure of this by using a few towels; they make great ropes when rolled up and do wonders on restraining another Eeee. But as will all things it too comes to and end and the two Eeee are panting heavily. "Hold still," he murmurs as the towels are loosened and Rose is eased back into his arms. As he holds her, he spreads his shadow out over her and begins healing the numerous punctures and scratches he left behind.

"I could get used to this," Rose mutters. "But you're going to be gone for weeks. You cruel, terrible man… "

"With a good replacement, though," Alptraum notes as the shadow does its work, "Someone whom Nicora will sign up for music lessons with … and also use that time to learn how to be a better consort for you. That body shows me exactly what you enjoy… "

"Evil, evil man," Rose rumbles. "You've been spying on me in the most intimate way possible."

"Are you complaining?" Alptraum murmurs in her ear. "Just say the word and Nicora will not visit Galand again… "

"Well, you can't keep Snow transformed permanently… " Rose points out. "And I can't argue with the results of your research."

Alptraum withdraws his shadow once he is satisfied Rosalind's body is well-healed. He now turns it back on himself and focuses on how it feels to use the shadow to heal his own flesh. If it is now simpler … or more difficult, since Melusine altered him forever. "I know I cannot," Alptraum agrees, "It wouldn't be right. Even if she's our pet human." He winks to Rosalind at that.

Once again, it seems to use more power – but it does heal his own wounds much faster. "And what if you don't use up all your power transforming her?" Rose asks.

"I'm not sure. I'll have to figure out a way to drain it … or try to relax and stop holding this body," Alptraum says. "It does seem that I can last indefinitely as long as I have power in my hand. That is … good. There may be times I cannot leave the dagger slotted and Kaira controlling things."

Alptraum now withdraws his shadow and checks the orb, and hos body, for any differences.

He still feels fully male, and sees that the orb is a little dimmer again. Starting from the full charge, it looks like he's used up a third – which means his initial transformation took far less energy than before.

"It doesn't take much to shape my body," Alptraum notes as he climbs out of the tub, then offers his hand to Rosalind. "That's good, I think. It means shifts are cheap … and haven't been painful either."

Rose takes the hand and climbs out, only slightly wobbly. "Does that worry you at all?" she asks.

"Somewhat," Alptraum admits as he gets a towel and gently goes about drying Rosalind off. "Melusine can easily shape me now. She even calls me her 'pet'," he admits. "So could anyone else skilled in transformation. but … I have heard that is rare."

"Oh, and… is that why you want to transform Snow now?" Rose asks. "To be a bit more like Melusine, hmm?"

"No, I just want to. I think you would enjoy it, as I think she would. I know I would," Alptraum says with a grin.

"You would?" Rose asks, teasingly as she outlines Alptraum's chest star with her finger. "Even if you're still male after changing her?"

"Well, that I don't know," Alptraum admits, "but I might try. I still feel all tingly if I think of Galand." A small shiver ripples through him as she traces that scar. "We should get dried and go see to Snow."

"Okay, this will be weird," Rose notes with a giggle.

Alptraum dries himself off, then grabs a couple clean towels (for later with Phlagaea), then says, "Let's go see to our human, hmm?" HE grins, waggles his brow, then slips out of the bathroom.

It's a bit of a hunt, but they eventually track the Shrine Maiden down to the dining room, where she's under the table eating cake.

"Snow?" Alptraum says and looks under the table, "Are you okay?"

"I was just hungry," Snow says. "Are you going to bite me?"

"I don't need to," Alptraum says and sits down. "I was going to shape you. You really do not want me to, do you?" he asks.

The girl looks caught, with bits of cake stuck to her cheeks. She swallows, and asks, "Will I act crazy like you did when you became Nicora?"

"I don't think so, if only because you will know it isn't permanent. With Nicora … it is ultimately until Melusine undoes it. What you see now is just temporary," he notes and waves at himself. "But look, if you really do not want me to, I will not. I joke about being your Master, but … it's a tease. I don't want to hurt you. You're my friend."

"Well… being a Sphynx was fun," Snow says, wiping her face. "And… it's just being a man. Men are simple right?"

"Truthfully? Yes. One thing Nicora taught me is that being male is a lot easier. Less expectations and less to worry about," Alptraum admits. "Being a woman is hard. A lot harder than I ever thought."

"Well… I guess it will be… relaxing then," Snow admits, and climbs out from under the table. "Where do you want to do it?"

"Back in the bedroom? You can relax on the bed," Alptraum offers as he offers Snow his hand.

"This won't leave stains will it?" Rose asks, as Snow takes Alptraum's hand.

"Not at all," Alptraum says as he takes Rosalind's hand with his other and leads them both back to the bedroom.

It takes time, probably even longer than the Sphynx transformation. Rose begins to nod off a bit, until finally the shadow withdraws to reveal a young Lapi buck. He's all white, of course, but this time at least the claws came out instead of nails, and there's a bit more fluff to the chest. Pink eyes blink open, pink nose twitches, and pink nose licks pink lips. "My… brain feels fizzy… " he mutters in a soft voice. And then something else pink shows up when he gazes at the still-naked Rose.

Alptraum looks down at his hand briefly to check the orb. "Fizzy?" Alptraum asks as he reaches with his left to turn and look at Snow's head this way and that. "You look really good," he notes, "And … excited."

The orb is dim, and Alptraum is feeling fatigued and drowsy. "Fizzzzy!" Snow declares, rubbing at his long ears. He takes a deep breath, and then Rose starts blinking, and asks, "Is it… getting hot in here?"

Alptraum shakes his own head, trying to push away the fatigue. He also runs his hand down his chest and hips, checking his state. Snow did say fatigue was the start. "I think Snow is about to show you how well a Lapi body works, Rose," he says with a tired, but pleased, grin. "He's inducing lust on you… "

The shadow is beginning to creep over Alptraum now, no matter how much he resists. "Oh… is this what Snow does to you?" she asks, and then, just as the darkness takes him, Alptraum sees a white blur and hears Rose squeak…

"Yes. I think you'll find it enjoyable… " Alptraum says just before the shadow takes him completely. "I hope this doesn't hurt too much… " he thinks in the inky darkness. Still, it will be good to get some rest, so much shadow usage.

The limbo is restful. But when it fades back into reality, Nicora's tail twitches, and she feels light and graceful once more.

Nicora's hands run up and down her body gently, feeling the fleshy curves, the shape of her hips and even the vacancy between her legs. "It feels so good to be back to normal," she finds herself thinking, "And rid of that. It's much more comfortable to have something dangling from my backside." Her eyes then pop open as those thoughts were … scary. She sits up and shakes out her hair, trying to push away the weird thoughts. "Hello you," she then tells her tail as she brings it around, places it in her lap, and pets it gently.

The tail looks sleepy still. Rose and Phlagaea are both sprawled on the remains of the bed, passed out, while Snow sits cross-legged in the center, staring at Nicora. "Still… fizzy," he notes, before the warm wave of desire washes over the Eeee.

Nicora lifts her tail up and kisses the back of its head, then lets it back down as she rolls to her feet gracefully. "C'mere little bunny," she offers, curling her finger in a come hither sort of way. She feels tingling begin deep within her and licks her lips softly. "Yes, this feels right," she murmurs, "This is how I should be."