It's still early afternoon when the servant arrives at the Countess' chambers. Alptraum is still shaking the last effects of his recent foray into the spirit dagger, and making sure he's not covered all in chitin plates anymore. The Countess herself is off seeing to her duties, leaving the Eeee alone when the servant knocks on the door.

Wearing nothing but a robe wrapped around his waist, Alptraum heads to the door. "Yes?" he calls out through the door. He also can't help but check himself over for the third time for any oddities, as he tends to every morning. Right down to rubbing the base of his spine, checking for unexpected tail growths.

"Um," comes a somewhat young sounding feline voice from the other side of the door. "I have a message for the Lord Barsunala," it replies.

"Lord?" Alptraum has to wonder about for a moment. "Speaking," he says as he opens the door so the servant can enter. "Forgive my dress, I just awoke and haven't been able to get dressed yet." He then flashes the doorway a smile, trying to look friendly.

A young, tawny-colored Khatta enters, dressed in the uniform of a page. It's gender is indeterminate, but it seems to avoid looking at the bat. "Ahem," it clears its throat, then recites, "The Lady Melusine requests the presence of the Barsunala at his earliest disposal."

"Is that all? Did Lady Melusine specify if I needed to bring anything or wear any particular attire?" Alptraum inquires of the young page. Inwardly, the sinking feeling hits that comes whenever he's summoned by the rather dangerous and unpredictable shadow dragon. "I can attend to her in short order, of course. I just need to get dressed."

"Uh, there weren't any other specifications to that nature," the page replies. "Does the Lord require any assistance in getting dressed?"

"If you would like to help, certainly. Wings can be a bit of a pain when it comes to shirts and jackets," Alptraum says and looks over his shoulder. "My shirt and pants are hanging behind the dressing screen. If you would be so kind as to bring them over… ?" The sinking feeling meets another feeling … it's weird to have, well, what feels like a servant.

It might seem awkward to be helped to get dressed, but the page knows what he (or she) is doing, and Alptraum is soon presentable looking again.

Alptraum adjusts the seams a bit on his shirt and pants. "Thank you," he tells the page with a smile. "May I have your name? I don't think I've seen you around before."

"I am Aya, my lord," the page says, bowing.

Alptraum drops down to his knee and bows in return. "An honor to meet you, Aya," the Eeee says. "Are you new to the castle staff?"

"Barnabus is my great uncle," the page says. "He got me the position just… I've been working here for a little while now."

"And what are your assigned duties?" Alptraum asks, remaining on his knee for now.

"I'm a page, so I'm just used for sending messages mostly," Aya notes. "But I can help in lots of ways, and fetch things. I know most of the castle by heart now."

Quirking a small grin, Alptraum asks, "And what do you know about me?"

"You are the Countess' special guest," Aya replies.

"Special guest?" Alptraum asks, brow quirking a bit. He then raises his chitinous hand, adding, "And do not worry, I am not trying to make you uncomfortable. I just like talking to people. It has been a pleasure meeting you. Are you to escort me to Lady Melusine, or shall I find my own way?"

"I wasn't asked to escort you," Aya notes, rubbing her(his?) nose with a paw. "It should be fine if you know how to get there on your own."

"Well, do you have any other duties you need to attend to?" Alptraum says as he stands, then takes a moment to straighten out his attire one more time. "If not, you are welcome to walk with me, at least. I'd like to hear more about your uncle and family, if you don't mind?"

The page blinks at the odd request. "I don't know that I should talk about such things, sir. My great-uncle is the best one to ask about that stuff."

"Well, I mainly want to know about your great uncle. He has known the Countess' family for a very long time and so has his family. I was wondering how they came to serve them. But if you like, I'll just ask him, then," Alptraum says, then reaches over and actually ruffles the top of the page's head a bit. "Thank you again," he notes, then actually digs in his pocket and offers the page a few shekels. "I'm not sure if it is custom or not to tip for a message well delivered, but there you go."

"Thank you, sir!" Aya says and smiles. "Do you still want me to escort you?"

"Certainly, I don't mind the company," Alptraum says as he walks out of the room. "If you don't mind me asking, are you working here to save for an education, or are you going to make serving the Countess a lifetime career?"

Along the way, Aya (who is apparently a girl after all) tells Alptraum about her plans to become a squire to a knight, and then a knight herself. And then she'll fight off monsters to rescue a beautiful prince who's probably under some sort of curse.

To that, Alptraum grins. "So, do people ever tell you that's a silly dream?" he asks her.

"Of course not, how is it silly?" Aya asks, looking at Alptraum with suspicion now.

"It's not," Alptraum says, "What I was going to say next was that don't ever listen to people who would tell you that. You can do anything if you put your mind to it and don't back down. I've been through a lot in my life, from sleeping in snow banks and barely surviving, to now helping the Countess. Hold to your dreams and continue, even if it gets rough. I expect to see your knighting ceremony in a few years." And then with another grin, he adds, "And I hope I'm never a monster you have to hunt down."

"You're too small to be a monster," Aya opines. "I'm going to go after the Dreaded Dire Rabbit of Elsinore, and tame it to be my mount! I heard that Sir Pedwin of Blot actually got a saddle onto it recently, before it ate him."

"That I will have to see," Alptraum notes as the pair head through the halls. "And oh, would you be willing to do me a favor sometime?"

"That's what pages are for, sir," Aye remarks. "You just have to ask for me by name."

"All right, Aya. Basically, there was a wounded girl brought here some time back that was near death. I helped and I haven't had a chance to see how she has been recovering. Should you find time and it is safe to do so, I'd appreciate if you could find out and tell me how her and her family are doing," Alptraum comments. That familiar sinking feeling starts to return, though, as the halls change into the ones he remembers that lead to Melusine's lair.

"I'll do my best, sir," the girl says, and starts to slow down as they get to the final tunnel. "Um, I can't go all the way to the doors, if that's okay?"

Alptraum swallows, then nods. "I understand. Thank you for talking with me, Aya. I'll see you around, then," the Eeee notes, waves to the girl, then heads on down the final tunnel. His heart rate quickens a bit with each step. 'What does she wish of me, I wonder," he thinks.

The Lair of Melusine
Deep in the base of a mountain, this dark cavern is of unknowable size. The only light comes from a circle of crystal embedded in the cavern floor, and the silence is oppressive – even echoes are somehow muted out.

A flicker of light beyond the glowing circle betrays Melusine's location, and once Alptraum gets close enough she asks, "Did you find the training with Rosalind productive?"

Alptraum walks forward and once into the light, he drops down to one knee and bows his head respectfully. "Yes, Mistress Melusine," he replies politely. Drawing himself back up, he continues, "She taught me much about manipulation of my shadow cloak … which I will demonstrate if you wish? We also learned quite a bit about some unusual effects it has when it comes in contact with hers. We both learned that because of our nature as shadow bearers, being in contact with each other is … rather enjoyable."

"I am aware of that aspect," Melusine notes. "Our bond allows me to feel what the Countess feels when she evokes my shadow. Please demonstrate what you have learned."

"To do so would require removing my clothing. Is that acceptable?" Alptraum inquires a bit nervously as he starts loosening the ties.

"Modesty is pointless with regards to me, Alptraum," Melusine says. "You may shed your skin if you like."

"I need my skin," Alptraum says, trying to look not too worried now. Off the clothing comes and it is folded up and placed outside the light. The Eeee returns to the light, the starburst scar on his chest very noticeable. His chitinous hand flexes and clenches a few times as he slowly draws the shadow out by flowing the energy contained within his shadow-hand along his body. First goal is the basic shadow bodysuit, head to toe this time, including wings.

"Skin is optional," the shadow dragon insists and comes a bit closer to observe the spreading of the 'cloak'. The crystal floating in Melusine's body bobs to the surface more often now, bathing Alptraum in intermittent light.

"I do not see how skin is optional," Alptraum says a bit worriedly, as he pauses in his work. It resumes soon enough, though. A slow, almost oily looking liquid spreads across the Eee's body, engulfing it and leaving behind milky darkness. Of his white fur, the scar on his chest vanishes first. Soon his legs and even taloned toes are covered in the shadow; fur going to alien-smooth. Wings follow; leathery skin becoming slick and smooth, the sharp definitions of the bones blending more, becoming less defined. Last is Alptraum's very head. Long white hair ripples into a sheet of black that rolls more like water and doesn't even appear to have separate strands. He breaths in sharply once as the shadow then flows over his face; the liquid smoothing out its sharp definition into more subtle curves and indentations. All that remains of color on the Eeee are his milky-silver eyes looking up at the large shadow dragon. "This is the easiest form my shadow can assume; the most natural, as the Countess explained to me," he says.

"Yes," Melusine agrees. A dark pseudopod brushes Alptraum's shadow-covered chest, leaving a smear of light and a feeling of warmth. "It is a good start. You will continue under Rosalind's tutelage for now, until it is time to see if you can manifest other shadow abilities. Also, I need to know what became of Muriavan's crystal."

Alptraum can't help but draw in a breath when Melusine touches his chest. "I've kept it in my side pouch since I last showed it to you. If you wish it, I will fetch it for you?" he asks. "I haven't been sure what to do with it."

"Please bring it, and place it in the center of my ring of light," the dragon requests.

Alptraum can't help but reach out and place his hand upon Melusine's pseudopod for a moment. He then steps out of the light and walks over to his clothing. Kneeling down, he extracts the darkened crystal from his side pouch and holds it lightly in his chitinous hand. Back to the light the shadow-Eeee goes. He kneels down in the center of the light and sets it upon the floor, in the center.

"I hope this isn't a bad idea," Alptraum thinks inwardly. "What could she possibly want with a dead heart?"

The light from the circle intensifies, and the dark crystal responds with a few weak reflections. "It may be beyond recovery," Melusine reports as the light returns to its normal intensity. "But it must be repaired, or there will be no Draco heir. Your mating was informative, but the information was not entirely favorable."

"You mean I cannot sire children with her without it being repaired? How could it be repaired? Is there anything I can do?" Alptraum asks, his own heart sinking a bit what with all he's done and if he has to tell the Countess it was for no good. "What did our, ah, mating, tell you?"

"Because of the bond between me and the Countess, we must both become pregnant together," Melusine notes. "For that, I require an empty heart crystal. Muriavan's would be best, if it can be repaired. Because it is contaminated by iron, however, I cannot repair it myself. It must be purified first."

"Don't you require a Shadow Dragon to become pregnant, though?" Alptraum has to ask. He looks down at the darkened heart crystal, then kneels down to get a closer look. "Is there anything I can do to purify it?"

"When Rosalind and I fully merge into a single body, your shadow essence should be sufficient," the dragon claims. "You must find a way to purify it. Find a Crystal Mage, or a being of living crystal, that might draw out the iron."

Alptraum frowns a bit. "That may prove difficult, but I will do the best I can," he says. It then registers what else she said and he blinks. "Wait, you and Rosalind will merge into one?"

"We have done it before," Melusine notes. "It does not harm us."

"What's it like?" Alptraum can't help but ask.

"I do not have words to properly describe it," the dragon claims. "The crystal must be repaired first, however. Or do you have qualms about mating with me, which you did not have last night?"

"I would be lying if I said it didn't make me nervous," Alptraum admits as his left hand hovers over the dark heart. "Though, granted the shadow-mating Rosalind and I experienced was amazing. So … what you are telling me is I will be sire to both Rosalind's and your children?"

"If all goes well, yes," Melusine says. "It is possible that they may be bonded at conception, but I do not believe it likely."

If Alptraum had brows at the moment, they would be raised. "I had not expected to be your consort as well," he admits, "But, I hope you will at least find me enjoyable when the time comes." Hand still hovering over the heart crystal, Alptraum actually tries to extend his shadow down towards it, not unlike Melusine's pseudopods, to try and pick it up."

Touching with the shadow itself… burns! It's like trying to pick up a hot coal.

Alptraum withdraws his shadow and shakes that hand. "Ow," he says. He sits there for a moment, then asks, "What will happen when the crystal is whole? Will it become host for the new Shadow Dragon … or will it go inside me."

"It will be host to a new spirit, if we are successful," Melusine notes. "Although I may choose not to let it grow in the end. That way it can be reused to kindle more of Rosalind's offspring."

"That is a bit grim," Alptraum comments with a frown. He collects the dark heart in his right hand, cradled by his scales instead of the shadow. Looking at the huge creature before him, Alptraum asks, "I've been meaning to ask a favor of you. The white scar on my chest … while I like it as a symbol of my completed union … can you check that I did not heal something incorrectly inside me?"

A tendril of darkness reaches out to Alptraum's chest, and passes through the cloak to leave a circle of light. He can feel it flowing through the scar, and past it to his heart. "All seems to be in order," Melusine reports. "What do you feel is incorrectly healed?"

"Nothing. It has felt fine. Kaira had just commented there were some small cracks still in the ribs and such. I wanted to be sure I was fine," Alptraum answers.

"Those are there so that you can heal them when the time comes," Melusine replies, and withdraws the tendril. "Mastering the external use of the shadow is only the first step."

"And that does remind me. I have practiced some with simple shaping of flesh as well," Alptraum says as holds his right hand up and turned over. Even with the dark heart in his palm, the scaling all along his forearm up to where it meets the end of the gauntlet is readily visible. "I have also been able to change hair color without much difficulty."

"Good. You should keep to small changes like that for practice," Melusine notes. "Also, it would be best if you did not discuss our plans with Kaira."

"Do you have any other suggested shapings I should try and any you would like to observe?" Alptraum asks. "As for Kaira … I am certain she will object to the plan. What would she object to, exactly, other than general mistrust?"

"It would only make her feel inadequate," Melusine observes. "She cannot hope to rival me as a lover, being the limited being that she is. It would only instill jealousy and resentment within her. You should avoid shapings that deal with bones or organs for now. Your ears, skin, wing-membranes and the like are safe to experiment with."

"Ah, understood," Alptraum says with a small nod. "I'm not sure how I would reshape my ears or wings yet, but that is good to know. I assume I could form more chitinous plating if I tried? Or does that fall under bone?"

"That is skin and scale, and is not dangerous if you understand the structure properly," Melusine suggests. "Ken something with a suitable carapace when you next feed."

"And again I assume then if I wish more substantial changes, to ask you to perform them?" Alptraum asks next, just to be certain. "How much are you willing to do, anyway?"

"What do you wish done?" the dragon asks. "Shall I transform you into Rosalind?"

Alptraum blinks a few times. "You could do that?" he asks.

"It would take time," Melusine admits. "I did do it with my pet Rughrat after all."

"That would be really strange," Alptraum has to admit. He rubs his shadow-coated chin, thinking a bit. "I know Yodhinala Mave wishes me to make myself the color of a Barinala, but that is just color shift and I should be able to handle that. Hm. would it be good practice to let you shift something small, such as skin or fur changes on my left hand, and I practice shifting it back? Would that be useful at all as practice?"

"It would be better to learn the shift in your own way," Melusine says. "You are not likely to feel it properly if I did it to you myself. You must have the ken of what you are doing."

"All right. Then is there anything further I should demonstrate or practice while I am here? I do not see you very often and I wish to make the most of our time together, Lady Melusine," Alptraum says with a smile.

"I have seen enough to gauge your progress," Melusine claims. "The way your shadow reacted to the contaminated crystal suggests to me that you should see how your body now reacts to iron though."

"I'm becoming more Shadow Dragon over time, aren't I?" Alptraum has to ask, the painful burn he felt earlier still very fresh on his mind.

"There is nothing wrong with that," Melusine says. "So long as you know your place. I will not suffer competition from another shadow dragon in my own territory."

"So I am, then?" Alptraum asks, uncertain if that was a yes. "As for my place, I pledged myself to you, did I not? I accept you as my mentor and my superior Shadow Dragon. I wish to remain the Countess' consort and perhaps more in time. For you, an ally, if not a friend."

"Maintain that attitude, and there will be no trouble between us," Melusine offers.

"On a side note, I haven't found any further changes of my body so far," Alptraum comments as he goes back to his clothing pile and puts the dark heart away. Back to the larger Shadow Dragon Alptraum then goes, looking up at her. "Are you pleased with my progress?" he asks.

"Pleased?" Melusine asks, with a hint of amusement. "Yes, I could say that. It gives me a feeling of having something to look forward to."

"Well, I also hope my visits are at least interesting as well. I know I find visiting you very interesting," Alptraum comments. "Are there other shadow abilities I should watch for or be prepared for? You mentioned something about manifesting other abilities."

"Time will tell. You may be able to eventually create fully functional shadow-limbs, or take on a more naturally amorphous form," Melusine suggests.

"If so, that is probably a long way off," Alptraum notes. "I'm not sure what I would even do if I could become amorphous."

"I am sure you would make for a handsome blob," Melusine says. Maybe she's joking, maybe not. It's tricky when there's no face.

"And part of your harem, no doubt," Alptraum comments jokingly, assuming she was probably joking.

"If you please me, perhaps," the dragon says.

"If there is nothing else you require of me, I will ease my shadow cloak, dress, and seek out some iron to test myself against," "Alptraum says.

"I have what I needed from this visit," Melusine says. "You are free to do as you wish before your next lesson with Rosalind."

"What will my next lesson be, do you know?" Alptraum asks as he starts the slow process of easing out of his shadow. It flows away almost like melted wax.

"That will be up to Rose," the dragon replies.

"And you have made no suggestions?" Alptraum inquires.

"She has not asked me for any," Melusine claims.

"I need to speak with her on if there is anything that need be done to become her formal consort," Alptraum muses as he now starts to dress. "And, I know you said before you didn't care for the company of a mortal, but the offer does still stand if you ever with to just talk. I find you fascinating," the Eeee claims.

"Of course you do," Melusine says. Her ego is certainly draconic, if not her form. "I can always live vicariously through Rosalind though, so I do not crave conversation."

"I suppose you can. It is just rather awe inspiring to be in your actual presence, is all," Alptraum offers. And he seems to know how to feed an ego, at least. Now fully dressed, the Eeee walks back over to the shadowy creature. He then actually leans in and kisses, well, her side. "Until next time, Lady Melusine," he says.

The shadowy surface ripples a bit from the kiss, and the dragon seems at a loss for words. "Farewell," Melusine finally says.

Alptraum bows, then heads towards the exit. "Well … I'm not sure what to think about that. Time to find some iron, though. I bet the armory has some," he thinks.