Alptraum has had a chance to ask Nekara more questions, though perhaps not to get just quite the answers he's looking for. Nekara was unable to give him any solid answers on just why the sorceress in Xenea was able to detect him – only that Nekara supposed that if the mages could detect him, then a sorceress could, too. One might hope that this does not extend to all mages, however: Alptraum, through the course of eavesdropping, has learned that at least one of the other passengers on the ship is a mage – a spirit mage, at that, and an exorcist – though he hasn't yet determined anything more than that without risking drawing undue attention to himself.

While exchanging signs with Autumn-Storm, Alptraum conveyed to the cheetah girl the recommendation that she not try to supplement her income while in Babel, for fear of her life. Autumn-Storm was not terribly impressed by this – in fact, if anything, the suggestion of some risk being involved might have been interpreted by her as some sort of challenge – but at Alptraum's insistence, she at last relented and indicated that she would "behave herself." As to the veracity of that promise … well, that remains to be seen.

More eavesdropping has provided Alptraum with a smattering of information about Ur. Apparently, Ur is not quite as large as the continent of Ai – or, at least, that is, if one does not include a very large island located in the southern hemisphere, known as "Aeztepa." Alptraum has already heard more than enough about that in Sylvanian legend: a land of the dead, ruled by a feline liche queen named Amenlichtli. The whole land is designated as a Forbidden Zone, but every now and then, it seems that some foolish airship captain strays too close, or is pushed toward the shores by a freak storm … and then the whole ship vanishes … and if it's ever seen again, it is as a ghost ship, piloted by a crew of zombies or specters, hungry for the flesh of the living. But rest assured: this liner is going nowhere near that place.

Rather, this ship is headed toward the Gigi Coast, an ocean-side strip populated by golden-furred felines known as the Gigi, with a capitol known as "Surf City" (though one gets the impression that the Gigis have changed the name from time to time.) Of the Gigis, Alptraum is able to determine that they speak a strange version of Rephidim Standard, deliberately making up new words as they see fit, and making some strange sort of game of it. Apparently, it is greatly flattering to a Gigi to incorporate a new word he's invented into one's own speech. Other than that, however, the Gigi are apparently a very simple – and simple-minded – folk, doing nothing but fishing and pearl-diving and surfing, living in a perpetual paradise beside the sea.

As for this particular day, it's just one of those days that makes one wonder … why bother getting out of bed? While sneaking down to get some "breakfast," Alptraum actually managed to get lost and wandered into the wrong hold, which for some reason wasn't locked. The compartment had a number of large crates in it that most certainly were not yiffle cages. No, they looked more like coffins. And then, along came the guard, who was a bit early on his patrol this day. Alptraum managed to evade him, but it was a very harrowing start to the day – and wasn't made much better when the yiffle he selected for breakfast made a mess on him while putting up a fight, and somehow succeeded in knocking open several cages while bouncing around and making a ruckus. The only upside of all that might be that some of the yiffles that got loose provided a nice distraction for the guard while Alptraum managed to slip out.

A change of clothes later and some weird looks and scrunched-up nose wrinkles from Autumn-Storm that prompted Alptraum to go back and clean up some more, and the Eeee is finally presentable again. When he goes up on deck, he finds that there's a crowd gathered on the starboard side, many of them with spyglasses, scanning the skies to the north.

Ever curious, Alptraum makes his way closer to the crowd to see if he can spot whatever it is they're looking at or for. He raises up his hand and shields his eyes to try and get a better chance at seeing it. At the same time, his ears train in that direction to see if he can hear anything.

Out of the corner of his eye, Alptraum can see that Nekara is making her way up the stairs from the lower deck, having come a different way. There's no sign of Autumn-Storm amongst the crowd – though with this many people distracted and looking away from the ship, that's not necessarily a guarantee she's not "mingling" about. (Not that pickpocketing this early into a cruise would be the wisest proposition.) As for the object of everyone's attention, it looks like everyone's gawking at an airship that is listing slightly to one side, to the starboard of the vessel. It's light enough out that it can be made out easily, though there's something that makes the shape not entirely distinct. Only after looking at it for a moment can he make out the reason why – there's something translucent partially enveloping the craft, and, by all appearances, doing violence to its envelope.

A poodle pup squeals something in Gallisian, while wrestling with what looks to be his sister over a spy scope. Quite probably he's saying something like, "Let me see! Let me see! It's my turn!"

A Kujaku lady twitters, fluttering her eyelashes and fanning herself. "Oh dear! This is simply dreadful!" A good number of the crowd, however, most probably just thinks it's jolly good entertainment.

"Bibaxt," Alptraum mutters, then tilts his head. "What is that thing attacking that ship?" The then considers, How far away is it? Are they in any danger from whatever appears to … eating that vessel?

A uniformed feline crewman turns to Alptraum, overhearing the verbalized part of his musing, and says, "The name's Bart, sir, not … uh … 'Bibaks.' That's a waashu up there – like a jellyfish, only they float on the winds. They mistake airships for lunch, I suppose. Don't worry yourself over it, though – they don't come down to hassle sea vessels like ours."

"Oh, good to know … and sorry. Must have misheard the other day," Alptraum replies. "Do airships ever survive the attacks? I hope the crew up there can deal with it."

"Oh, sure, sure," Bart says. "They handle it all the time. Waashus don't actually eat people. Oh, they might get their envelope punctured, have to go down and land on some island and patch it up, but they're in no real danger. Nothing to worry about at all."

Nekara wanders over to the back of the crowd, by now seeing Alptraum and the guard. She wraps one hand around Alptraum's elbow and not-so-subtly starts to drag him away from Bart.

"But, aren't we rather close to that – place? If they have to land there… " Alptraum says, letting his statement die off. "Maybe the captain should offer to help them if they have to land."

Alptraum erks. "Or not. Looks like I'm wanted. Nice seeing you!" he replies as he's dragged off.

Bart just smiles and nods as Alptraum is dragged off.

Nekara hisses in Alptraum's ear, "Do not draw undue attention to yourself. This is none of your concern."

Alptraum whispers back, "You shouldn't turn your back to those in danger. Besides, it's not like I was talking to the spirit mage on board or something. He's just a hired hand – and he was lying."

Nekara nods toward the back of a white-robed feline woman with fur of a strange blue-grey hue, and hair of a darker, almost black color. "There is the spirit mage. And yes I should turn my back; better that than to put us all in jeopardy." At that, Nekara releases Alptraum's arm and starts to slip off toward the doors leading into the ship's library.

"Ooo!" someone cries out. "I see someone falling from the ship! Hee hee! It's one of those funny lizard-people, wiggling all over!"

Alptraum follows after Nekara, trying not to look at the spirit mage and hoping she isn't looking at him. "I wasn't putting us in any jeopardy just by learning a few things. If we slink around too much, that makes us look just as suspicious," Alptraum whispers to Nekara.

Alptraum winces, wishing he could somehow help. Even if he flew up there … even if he made it … what could he do?

For the moment, it appears that the spirit mage shows no interest in Alptraum at all, instead transfixed on the horror unfolding in the sky.

Nekara says, "Only if anyone already has any reason to pay attention to us. These are privileged people, wrapped up in their own enjoyment. They don't have time to concern themselves with others – unless we give them reason to be interested in us." She opens the door to the library and steps inside. Presently, it is devoid of anyone else, while most of the passengers are either still in bed, tending to breakfast, or gawking at the spectacle outside.

"I hope he can swim!" some child mews.

"Oh, heh," a canine voice says, in a self-important sounding tone, "don't be silly. The fall will break his neck."

The kitten starts crying.

Alptraum winces again, then growls softly. He turns around and starts walking back toward the crowd, wings starting to flex some. You really shouldn't bring attention to yourself by trying anything. Besides, gypsies shouldn't get 'involved'. Hah. Like you've ever followed that bit of wisdom. Look where you are, Alptraum, he thinks ruefully.

Nekara, meanwhile, just heads into the library, not even bothering to look back. Most of the jabbering going on amongst the passengers is in languages Alptraum can't understand, though he gets a few snippets. "Aloin, do you think they'll set fire to their own ship to take the monster down with them?" "Stop crying this moment, Ai-Hawa; if your father hears you, he will give you a lashing!" "Ooo! He did a somersault!" "I'll wager you twenty shekels the fall kills him outright."

Silver eyes narrow further, anger growing in the Eeee. How can people be so completely heartless? His wings twitch, then the next thing Alptraum realizes is that he's gone airborne. The Eeee grimly considers, "I likely cannot help the airship, but perhaps the fallen person is another story. How is a good question, though. It's not like I could carry the lizard. Not unless he is really light.

"What's he doing?" "Is he going to save them, Mama?" "Don't be absurd!" "You! Come back here! This isn't your problem!" "Captain! Captainnnn!" "Man overboard!" (a few screams)

Alptraum wings ever onward toward the ship and person in the distance, ignoring the cries of the passengers.

Alptraum's ears are of more use to him than his eyes in locating the plummeting lizard at first, but once he is able to sound out the position of the plummeting – and shrieking – reptilian man, he can see that it's definitely one of the strange gawky, nervous-looking lizard-people he saw while in Safar, his scales a bright red, flipping and flopping and waving about vainly as if trying to grasp at something, anything to stop his downward descent … though no such thing presents itself … with the possible exception of Alptraum, of course. What exactly the lizard's screaming is in a tongue Alptraum doesn't know, but the intent is pretty easy to figure out, given the context.

Alptraum makes a sharp arc up, then his wings collapse in and he rockets downward, angling toward the lizard. From the Eeee's viewpoint, it almost seems as if he's going to not make it in time. His hands reach out, stretching – There! At the last moment, Alptraum gets a grip on the lizard's hands and says, "Got you! Hang on!" His wings spread back wide and he beats them furiously, pushing his muscles to compensate for the sudden extra load.

The lizard reminds Alptraum a great deal of the newts haunting the swamps back in Sylvania … and sure enough, the creature has sticky hands and a slimy texture to his skin. The lizard still screams, though fortunately not directly into Alptraum's face, as he's still focused on the ocean far below. Although the lizard is only half Alptraum's size, its downward momentum and weight is still sufficient to bring Alptraum oceanward at a rapid rate – He's either going to hit the water, or he's going to have to release some ballast to swoop back up again … but with any luck, he's slowed down the lizard's descent enough to keep it from being fatal, so long as the lizard-man can tread water…

The water comes closer, closer … the lizard is still shrieking … but then, Alptraum feels a strange feeling come over him, some hidden reserve of strength he didn't know he had. As he skims down with the waves passing by so very close below … he begins to arc back upward with each wing beat, increasing the distance between himself and a watery splash-landing. He's going back up!

The Eeee's lips pull back into a grin. He climbs upward again, wings beating strongly and steadily. His grip holds, and he wings back towards the ship. No fancy flying this time, controlled wing beats to keep his height and speed constant. "I can't believe I got him!" Alptraum thinks.

As Alptraum wings back to the Stygian Princess, he can hear the cries of disbelief of the gawking passengers. "What? He's bringing that slimy little man on board? Can he do that?" someone yaps. "YAYYYYY! He's a HERO!" a kitten squeals. The lizard, meanwhile, in heavily accented Standard, chants, "Ahthanku, thanku, thanku, thanku!" as the Eeee wings him over the deck railing.

Alptraum lets the lizard down onto the deck. He then lands and collapses his wings back against his body. While trying to ignore the other passengers, he asks the lizard, "Is there any way to stop that thing attacking your ship?"

The lizard blinks several times with large buggy eyes, then hisses, "Pokey de holes inna side! Pshuu!" He pantomimes stabbing motions.

Autumn-Storm rushes over to Alptraum, a bundle under her arm. With her free hand, she signs, "Danger?"

"For these poor folk," Alptraum signs back, then points toward the airship. "Got my crossbow and dagger in that bundle?"

The cheetah nods, and drops down on her haunches, spreading out the cloth bundle, revealing an assortment of weapons – Alptraum's and her own.

"No fire! No fire!" the lizard adds, hastily. "Fire make go BOOM!" He makes a popping noise with his mouth, and traces a big circle in the air with his sticky-fingered hands.

Alptraum signs, "Great!" He grabs his crossbow and rapidly loads two wooden bolts. He then nods to the lizard as he slips his dagger into place on his belt. "I'm going to try and pop that thing up there. Keep an eye on this lizard and make sure he's okay? He might be able to help us out later."

Autumn-Storm nods and forms a one-handed "Careful" sign, then a thumbs-up: "Good luck!" She hastily wraps up the bundle again, lest any curious eyes spy the details of her collection.

Alptraum nods, then goes airborne again. His wings beat rapidly, trying to gain height quickly. He grips his crossbow carefully as he ascends, fingers slipped behind the triggers to prevent it from firing prematurely. "No need to get too close. Besides, who knows what that thing will do if I puncture it," he thinks as he closes distance so he can get off a good shot.

"Have you lost your mind?" comes a familiar shriek behind Alptraum, as he's most of the way back to the airship. He doesn't have to turn behind him to identify the owner of the voice.

"Probably!" Alptraum replies, but doesn't stop. He eyes ahead, trying to judge where the airship ends and the creature begins. He doesn't want to pop the envelope, just the waashu.

As Alptraum gets closer, he can see a number of serpent- and lizard-people on the deck, fighting with the semi-translucent tentacles of the monster. There are a number of them collapsed on the deck, some of them writhing in pain, and Alptraum does not notice any fliers among them. He also notices a second waashu that is floating limply off to one side, somewhat obscured from the point of view of the Stygian Princess by the airship being in its way – perhaps they succeeded in defeating a second waashu, though most assuredly this one is still putting up a fight.

It gets much easier to see the waashu the closer he gets. It may be semi-translucent, but only semi-. If he had time to gawk at it, the various colors refracted in its shimmering skin might even be considered beautiful … but right now, this beauty is quite deadly.

"Curse it!" Nekara cries out. "I'll try to distract it while you do whatever it is you're going to do!"

Alptraum brings his crossbow up and tries to steady himself in the air. Instead of heading toward the airship now, he starts circling and trying target. "Now who's lost her mind," Alptraum replies. "Don't risk yourself! You didn't want to get involved, remember!"

"I have more at my disposal to distract stupid beasts than simply flying within their grasp!" Nekara calls back. "By Sunala's power, I can inflict pain." And then, Alptraum can hear her chanting a prayer as she flies a wide arc around the airborne battle scene.

Alptraum goes back to aiming and steadying himself in the air. You're mine, he thinks grimly, then pulls the trigger for the upper bow of the double-crossbow. The bolt streaks through the air and hits right on target! Unfortunately, nothing happens. There the bolt sits, stuck in its side. Much cursing in Sylvanian follows shortly after.

Nekara finishes her prayer. Suddenly, the waashu's tentacles convulse, and the rubbery hide quivers. Other than that, however, there is no apparent effect on the beast's behavior just yet.

Thankful for having a double-crossbow. Alptraum takes aim again, hoping the second shot makes more of an impression on the disgusting bag.

Another bolt streaks out – and like the first, just sticks in the thing, taunting the Eeee. Even more cursing follows that one, something about the heredity of the creature. Alptraum then growls, "Time for a different tactic." His hand goes down and draws out his dagger. He flies upward now, intending on gliding over the thing and taking a swipe at its hide.

"Watch out for its tentacles! The sting will paralyze you!" Nekara shrieks out, even as a translucent tentacle – almost missed in the mayhem, sweeps by Alptraum.

Alptraum banks hard to the right and barely misses getting slapped by the tentacle. The sound of tearing cloth reaches Alptraum's ears and he can now feel the wind against his chest; a gaping gash lest as a reminder from tentacle left in his shirt.

It looks like, for at least a fleeting moment, there's an opening. As large as the waashu is, its numerous flailing tentacles still put up a pretty good defensive shield to make its main body hard to get at…

Alptraum takes a chance and dives at that moment, gliding along the creature. The Eeee slashes hard with his dagger. His other hand remains gripping the crossbow firmly. "C'mon you, pop already!" he thinks.

The wound Alptraum just created blisters out, the gash puckering – and then a bubble swells out and ruptures. An absolutely horrible stench assaults Alptraum's nostrils, and the gust sends him spiraling backward – into the maze of flailing stinger tentacles!

"ALPTRAUM!" cries Nekara. "WATCH OUT!"

"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!" Alptraum cries out as he streaks backwards. His wings beat frantically, flipping him around and back in control. None too soon, too! His eyes widen and he darts downward, a tentacle streaking over his head. No chance to celebrate. He banks hard to the right, then hard to the left, tentacles streaking by him as blurs.

Nekara can be heard chanting loudly again, and then the creature quivers even more, this causing its wound to tear the more as it convulses around the wound. Its tentacles slip away from the crippled airship, and the waashu looses its grasp of the envelope. Several lizards on the deck hop around and cheer, though most of them still hack away at the now-retreating tentacles while they have the chance.

Alptraum gasps air as he flies away from the waashu. His silver eyes are wide in shock and the grin on his face gives away that he's amazed and happy to be alive after all that. "AVRA!" he cries out. "We did it!"

The waashu makes a wet raspberry sound as it continues to belch out foul gases, retreating from the airship, and beginning to deflate and descend slightly as it goes, the jet of the gas pouring out of the room serving to propel it away. The airship continues to list, and several lizards – now freed from the dangers of getting snared by tentacles – scramble up the rigging and work furiously to apply patches over the numerous leaks.

Alptraum raises up his crossbow and salutes to the lizards on the deck. "We have one of your crew onboard the other ship. Once you get your ship stabilized, if you swing close and drop a ladder I'm sure he'd like to be picked up," he calls out to them. The Eeee then makes his way over towards Nekara and says, "I know. I know."

Nekara says, "I have nothing to say. If you have no further risks to expose yourself to, then I shall head back to the ship."

"You don't have to risk yourself too, you know," Alptraum says to her. "I'm going to head back too, before anything else happens."

A diamond-patterned snake-man on the deck of the ship calls out, "Hail there, flier! May the Emperor Smile on you, for Saving uS!"

Alptraum smiles back to the reptile and says, "Glad to have been of help. May the skies remain clear for the rest of your journey."

The snake-man tosses off a salute to the Eeee, and slithers over to tend to one of his fallen crew-lizards.

Alptraum beats his wings and swings around. His eyes lock on the Stygian Princess and he glides his way back. Even though he's half-expecting a berating by Nekara later in private, his mood is better than it has been for the past few days.

The reactions from the passengers are mixed. More than a few question his sanity, and wonder what in the world he thinks he's doing – but there are plenty who still hold him in high regard, and congratulate him for his heroics – even some who seemed to be more than content to just watch all the excitement. He gets more than a few offers to be a guest for a private dinner, or to eat at so-and-so's table. One of the offers is from the blue-grey Khatta spirit mage. "That was a remarkable thing you did," she says. "If even I had wings, I am not so sure I would have been so brave."

"Well, I wasn't certain I could do anything. It would have been called stupid, had my luck gave out up there. It was rather close. But in any event, I'm happy it turned out as it did," Alptraum says to the mage, then yawns. "I'm afraid I'll have to turn down your offer for dinner. After all that, I'm exhausted and my appetite is gone. I do appreciate the offer, though."

The mage laughs. "But it's still morning! I haven't even had breakfast yet. Surely your appetite will be back by this evening."

"I don't know," Alptraum says. "I've not been exactly hungry on this trip as it is. I'm not used to being on a boat. It's played havoc on my stomach. But really, I appreciate the offer."

The mage smiles. "Far be it from me to tax you any further. But if you change your mind, the offer still stands." Meanwhile, the passengers are dispersing, as it's evident that the airship is not going to explode or plummet out of the sky after all. "I am Ariel Azale, Exorcist of the Sphere of Spirit. May Arcadia grant your stomach peace, so that you may enjoy some of the culinary pleasures they serve aboard this delightful vessel." She bows.

Alptraum returns the bow. "Alptraum Reisender, just a traveler," he replies. "And I'll consider it, but it's not very likely I'll change my mind. A sick Eeee isn't good company. I hope you have a good journey." With another smile, the Eeee turns and starts to walk away, back towards the entrance to the decks where his room is.

The gypsy Eeee makes it back to his room with only a few more delays, and only having to politely refuse a few more invitations. Finally, he makes it back, and Autumn-Storm is just outside the door. She eyes the door, then signs, "She's inside. She's not happy."

"I knew she wouldn't be. I expect to be dressed down, as I think the phrase goes," Alptraum signs, then sighs. "Better go face her now and just get it over with." Alptraum pats Autumn-Storm's shoulder, then opens the door and enters.

Nekara, sure enough, is sitting on the couch in the suite, and shoots Alptraum a glare as he steps in, but then looks away again, to the porthole.

Alptraum sets his crossbow to the side and settles down in a nearby chair. "I'm not ashamed or sorry for going to help them," he tells her.

"I know you aren't," Nekara says. "And I'm not going to waste a speech on you. But be careful of your heroics. They won't serve you well in Babel. In Babel, no good deed goes unpunished. Heroes fall prey to tricks and traps for those who know how to manipulate their 'superior' morals. Just because someone cries for help there, do not assume that he actually needs it – or deserves it."

"Fighting a monster and going to help a person are two different things," Alptraum replies. "Do you think I did that to be a hero or praised? I did it because they needed help, nothing more, something my parents' taught me. The Reisenders took a risk with taking me in, and much against the warnings of the others of the tribe."

"Fine," Nekara says. "You're alive, I'm alive, they're alive. Everyone is happy." Her expression suggests otherwise.

"You know, just once I'd like to feel like I'm not a disappointment to you. Nothing I do ever seems to please you. I am trying, sister," Alptraum says, sounding almost hurt. "I know that brought us more attention than we want right now. But, if I hadn't acted when I felt I could do something, it would have bothered me – just as if I had went up and killed them myself."

Nekara turns to look at Alptraum. "I'm not disappointed in you!" she shouts. "I'm just scared that some time, you aren't going to make it!" And at that outburst, her ears flush, and she abruptly gets up to her feet, walking in quick strides to the door. "I'm going out."

Alptraum blinks, shocked. She actually cares, Alptraum realizes, then gets up. "I … no. I'll go. I shouldn't drive you out of your room. This was my mess. You have a right to be angry; I blew your hope of us being un-noticed. Hopefully, they'll forget about the events as quickly as they were willing to dismiss the fear and pain those on the airship suffered."

"They're just rich, spoiled people," Nekara says. "If a crewman fell overboard, they might just watch. The world is like that – the real world out there." She stands by the door.

"But that doesn't mean we have to be like that. We don't have to just watch," Alptraum says and heads toward the door as if to leave. "Even if it seems foolish or stupid, I'd rather help someone, than sit by the side. One or two may not make a major difference in the world, but perhaps the impressions it leaves on others would. Like that kid up there, perhaps he'll see things a little different and raise his kids better. Over time, his kids could teach theirs, and so on. Maybe things could change, if people are just willing to try." Alptraum then shrugs and says, "But that's probably a stupid hope of one really frightened Eeee."

To this, Nekara has nothing to say. She just stands at the door, not meeting Alptraum's eyes.

"I'm frightened all the time, sister. Terrified of meeting the rest of the family and finding out what they think of me. I'm ashamed of myself for being … a blood-drinker and I didn't have a choice in that. You have no idea how much I wanted to be normal growing up. To not feel so … alone. But, I try not to hate others for what they think of me – I just try to show I am not a monster that the stories talk about. I try to make a difference, even if it's in little ways. It's the only control I have left in my life. But, you don't need to hear my ramblings," Alptraum says, now finding himself unable to look directly at Nekara. He reaches out and places his hand on the doorknob, then turns it. "I'm sorry for worrying you, sister. Thank you for caring. I will tell your other sisters you were outstanding in helping me on this journey – you have been."

"Thank you," Nekara says quietly, and doesn't move from her position beside the door.

Alptraum looks up, forcing his silver eyes to look at Nekara briefly. Then, the door opens and Alptraum slips quietly out.

Autumn-Storm stands up abruptly, trying to look like she wasn't eavesdropping. "So," she signs. "How did it go?"

"Better than I expected, really. She … she's scared too." Alptraum signs, then leaves it at that. "I think we understand each other a bit better. She is really trying. I can't fault her for that." He then tries to change the subject and signs, "How have things been out here?"

"Quiet," Autumn-Storm says. "Everyone's eating breakfast and chattering about the 'excitement'."

"Well, I hope they forget about it soon. We really don't need the attention," Alptraum signs. "I'm worried about that mage. She seems pretty nice, but if she found out about me … I don't know what would happen. Part of me even wants to ask her if she could sense anything about me. I want to know what that priestess felt, and the mages in the sky city."

Autumn-Storm signs, "Well, if you try anything reckless like that, for the record, I advised you against it!"

"I'm not that daft, don't worry!" comes the reply. Alptraum then leans on a wall and sighs. "Some days I really feel like a freak," he signs, then smirks. "And if Hexen were here, he'd likely tell me: That's because you are! Then probably elbow me and tell me to quit being so gloomy."

Autumn-Storm, unable to pass up the bait, elbows Alptraum. "Quit being so gloomy!" She gives him an ear-wiggle and a wink.

Alptraum oofs melodramatically and clutches at his side with one hand. "I'm wounded! The pain! The torment!" he signs with the other. He then promptly pokes Autumn-Storm's side and winks back. "Beware taunting the dark and gloomy bat," he says ominously. Well, it would be if he could keep from grinning like an idiot.

Autumn-Storm throws her hands up and covers her face in mock fright.

And Alptraum takes the opportunity to tickle Autumn-Storm's ear with a claw tip. "Hey, did you see which way the mage went? And no, I'm not going to ask about that. I'm just kind of curious why there is a mage on board. If there's danger ahead, it would be nice to know. She might tell me," he explains.

Autumn-Storm squirms, rescuing her ear, then signs, "She went into the dining room, I think, with the others. They've got a breakfast buffet. It's not bad. I've been paying my way in on my own."

"Have you eaten yet today? I just want to go talk to her real quick and wouldn't mind the extra pair of eyes to watch my back," Alptraum signs. "I know I probably shouldn't do this, but it strikes me as strange to have a spirit mage on this ship, bound for Ur – Gigi Coast, sorry. I keep forgetting we're catching another boat there."

Autumn-Storm signs, "I think the Gigi Coast is Ur. Or a part of it. Anyway, if you're going to do something foolish, of course I'm not going to let you do it without me around to watch and see everything blow up. All the better for me to know when to look for a life-boat to escape in."

"You have such faith in me," Alptraum signs with a smirk. "Let's go find the mage. Besides, I can always use the excuse my servant is acting up if I need to leave in a hurry." Alptraum winks, then takes off in a light dash.

Autumn-Storm makes a mock growl, and dashes after Alptraum!

Alptraum and Autumn-Storm arrive in the dining hall with more decor than they left the cabin, opting not to come dashing in like madmen (or bats or cheetahs). "There he is!" squeals the kitten Alptraum overheard earlier up on the deck – or, perhaps, one of the kittens, that is, for she is seated with a number of other kittens who look very much like her, obviously from a very large Himaatian family, and accompanied by a single Khattan woman covered in all-obscuring black garb. Ariel Azale is there, too, and turns when she hears the kitten's squeal, nodding her head to the latecomers to breakfast.

Alptraum tries to look away to cover up looking embarrassed. He waves slightly at the kittens, then makes his way towards the mage. "Mage Ariel Azale, I hope I'm not bothering you?" Alptraum inquires when he gets over to her table.

"Not at all!" the mage says. "My invitation to join me for supper is just as easily extended to cover breakfast – though I fear you may be too late to get much at the buffet aside from a few fruits. They are already cleaning up."

"Oh, I'm not here for anything to eat, I'm afraid," Alptraum says and pulls out a chair. He sits, then says, "I had gotten to thinking after I had spoken to you. I've had a few run ins with the supernatural in my travels and have become quite wary. So, when it hit me that you were a mage, and a mage of the spirit, I started to get nervous. I hope I'm not offending you by asking this, but, is there something bad going on where we're headed? I'd really rather not have any more run-ins with supernatural creatures. If there is, I might want to adjust my travel plans."

"Bad?" the spirit mage echoes. "Oh, goodness, and may I be forgiven if I am in error in any way, but I most certainly hope there is not something going on bad where we are headed. In my business, I am one to seek out trouble, but I assure you, I am going to the Gigi Coast purely as a vacation, and I most humbly submit that I hope I have earned it."

Alptraum lets out a sigh of relief. "Oh, good," he replies. "That is a weight off my mind, then." He then tilts his head and asks, "If it isn't too much trouble, can I ask what your business involves? I'm not that familiar with mages and magic, I've just had a few bad experiences with them."

"I am a specialist in the Sphere of Spirit," Ariel explains, "though I do not claim any great proficiency in it, more than my station deserves. I specialize in the combating of unnatural spiritual influences, and unholy apparitions. I banish 'bad spirits,' in other, less cluttered words."

"Oh, are bad spirits common then?" Alptraum inquires.

"Goodness, no," the spirit mage says, shaking her head. "If there were, I would not be able to find the time to take a vacation, for I would be ridden with guilt for neglecting such duties! But I humbly submit that these occurrences are quite rare – but when they do happen, there are many willing to pay enough to rid themselves of such spirits that I am able to live comfortably."

"That's interesting. Have you had jobs recently? What do the spirits do? Haunt a house or person?" Alptraum asks, trying to just appear the curious tourist.

The spirit mage nods. "Yes, I have had many generous patrons supporting my work," she meows. "They may haunt houses, persons, airships, forests, caves, tombs – anything and anyone. Sometimes they merely appear and disturb the living. But sometimes they are much more dangerous than that. Fortunatis smiles on me, that I most often deal with spirits that are merely nuisances, but it is part of my training that I know how to deal with the undead as well."

Alptraum shudders at mention of the undead. "I had a run-in with some zombies a bit back. I've been edgy since. That's why I just had to ask about where we were headed," Alptraum explains. "And where are my manners? I'm being way too inquisitive of someone I just met. I apologize and will leave you to your breakfast."

"Oh! Not so quickly!" the mage says, giggling as she waves a hand vaguely. "You are going to tell me you encountered zombies, and then leave without telling me your story? Forgive me if I accuse you wrongly, but I am inclined to think you a tease!"

Alptraum laughs, "It was my own fault. I took a brief trip to Sylvania. I didn't believe it was as bad as they say. Well, it is." He shudders, then continues, "Ran into some magical trap at a hotel run by the undead. Barely escaped from that." He taps his chin, then hmms, "But, I did get an amulet off one of the zombies on the way out. Think you might be able to make something of it? I'd really like to know who to report whomever set that trap to. No telling how many it has killed."

"A hotel … run by the undead?" the mage repeats, her eyes wide at the Eeee's wild story. "Oh, it is too good that you have some sort of proof of such a tale! Yes, I would be most happy to examine this amulet, if nothing else but to find out whether you are trying to play a trick on my poor self with such tales."

Alptraum nods and says, "It's very true. It was some sort of trap. I'll be right back." He then stands and goes to locate Autumn-Storm.

Autumn-Storm munches on something she must have scrounged from the breakfast buffet (or somewhere else handy) despite the mage's claim that things were being put away. She looks up questioningly to Alptraum. "You in trouble yet?"

"Funny. You still have one of those amulets we got off the minions of that necromancer, right? I want to show one to the mage. We might get a lead out of this. Perhaps where he was from," Alptraum signs.

Autumn-Storm gives Alptraum a raised eyebrow at this, then shrugs. "Couldn't hurt, I suppose … much." She holds up one finger in a "just a moment" pose, then heads out.

Alptraum leans against a nearby table and waits. "Do I really get into that much trouble?" he ponders.

Time passes. Quite a few of the breakfast diners leave. Alptraum doesn't, in the interim, get into any more trouble, that he knows of. Finally, Autumn-Storm returns, bringing with her a cloth-wrapped bundle, which she passes into Alptraum's hands. From the weight, she brought one of the ivory talismans, rather than the metal one.

Alptraum signs, "Thanks, oh ye of little faith." He then smirks and heads back to the mage. He sits back down and slides the cloth bundle across the table to her. "There you go."

The mage partially unwraps the bundle, gets an eye-full of the runes on the pendant, then, with an eyebrow raise, quickly wraps it back up again. She coughs, clears her throat, then says, "With your permission, I shall endeavor to apply my humble abilities to learn more of this item. I may have something to tell you … on the morrow? Rest assured, I will not go far with it." She smiles, getting up, what little remaining of her breakfast being forgotten for the moment.

"Wait a second, please. Is it really that serious?" Alptraum inquires.

"I am inclined to not dismiss your story of a hotel full of the walking dead," the mage says, looking sober. "I am not to suggest such a thing would be a joke."

"Okay… ," Alptraum replies, equally serious. "Can you tell me what you think that thing might be?"

"A component of some manner of necromancy," the mage says. "I will not know for certain until I have examined it further. This is made from the bones of a sapient being, I am fairly sure."

Alptraum's eyes go wide at that. "By all means then, examine it. I'm sorry, if I'd know this would interrupt your vacation, I wouldn't have even mentioned it," he apologizes.

The mage smiles faintly. "Worry yourself not! I satisfy my Khattan curiosity, I assure you. Many thanks for your generosity in sharing your tale and this strange thing with me, and may the wind blow gently for you and grant you many pleasant flights. I will see you again." And with that, she turns for the door.

Alptraum waves. Then it hits him: directing her attention on something may make the trip safer for him. He grins a bit, then goes back over to Autumn-Storm. "See? Trouble doesn't always follow me," he signs with a smirk. "She's going to examine it and let us know. She believes it was made from a sapient being! Now, let's get out of here and check on Nekara. I don't want her to worry further." With a glance back toward the door the Khatta left through, he leaves as well, heading back to the cabin to see if Nekara is feeling better.