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.

"Have you come to walk my pet again, Alptraum?" echoes the voice of Melusine the Shadow Dragon. "I think she has taken a liking to you. See how her tail wags now?"

"I am certain she does not like me as much as you," Alptraum says as he enters and bows to the nebulous shape, "For who could ever be as grand as you." He walks forward a bit more, drawing closer to the darkness. "I came to ask two favors, if you will grant it? One, I wish to verify that my condition remains stable and the integration of the shadow progresses well. I have a bachelor party to manage and I want to be sure I am physically fit enough for a … wild night or two. The other, if you would be willing to teach me on how to craft my shadow into better defined shapes, to even shapes I could detach from myself for a time … if it is possible, of course. If you require anything for these services, please tell me and I will see what I can do," the Eeee says politely and tries to smile to the huge creature.

The dark mass flows forward, extending pseudopods to touch the Eeee with. "To shape… as I do? To create limbs?" it asks.

"That is one application, yes. I want to better learn how to use my shadow as an extension of myself," Alptraum agrees. He can't help but reach up and lightly touch one of the pseudopods with his chitinous hand.

There's a brief flash of light from the touch, and then the tentacle withdraws. "Interesting. These are areas I have not explored myself," Melusine notes. The pseudopod hovers in place, and seems to become more like an actual hand… if in a blobby, boneless way. It ends up looking like a tentacle with more tentacles branching off instead. "Your shadow is not quite flesh, however, so will be more… flexible… than my own."

"The flash was unexpected?" Alptraum inquires, still smiling and trying to look non-threatening, "And may I sit? I do not want to waste focus on standing. You deserve all my focus."

"You may sit," Melusine allows. "And it was the questions that were unexpected. You speak more rightly of Shadow Magic than Shadow manipulation. I cannot separate a part of myself and have it do anything other than die, but the wizards of Shadow in this world can create things out of shadow-stuff. For me, there has never been a reason for shape, as I have no use of it. It has always been something I could control in other creatures. Should I have a shape, to your thinking?"

"You? No. I think of you as you are now," Alptraum answers as he settles on the floor and crosses his legs and folds back his wings, "You are beautiful in the form you have now. I do not see a reason for you to be in another." As he looks up towards the creature, he asks, "So, then today it will be both of us exploring what my capabilities are?"

"Perhaps," Melusine grants. "What have you learned since we last met?"

"I have learned far greater control of my shadow cloak. I can shape and shift it in more complex clothing and maintain it without as much focus as it used to require. It has many interesting … possibilities," Alptraum explains. "And I have been taught how to use spirit-energy overlays to alter my appearance more significantly."

"Spirit energy?" Melusine asks, her glowing crystal bobbing to the surface at a faster rate now. "Show this to me."

Alptraum closes his eyes and draws in a deep breath. As he lets out a long breath, the air around him chills. His body seems to body draw in in some areas, going gaunt and almost skeletal … where on others the fur seems to go liquid and flow like oil. Claws extend, barbs extrude from his body. The normally angular features of Alptraum's face run and smooth out, becoming almost insect like, with no noticeable lip-ridges. Behind him a smokey and spikey tail extends, flicking slowly against the floor. Alptraum's long white mane shifts into rows of chitinous spikes instead of hair. In the end, he remains all black save for completely white eyes, white spikes trailing down his head and neck, and the star burst white in the center of his chest where the scar still shows, even on chitin. "This form is … " the wraith like creature hisses, "a natural union of the Shadow and the Barsunala."

"It is not kenned," Melusine states, perhaps in surprise. Her 'head' bobs closer, looking at Alptraum from various angles. "It is there but not there. Does this use your Shadow cloak at all?"

"If you wish to touch and examine, I do not mind," Alptraum offers in that disturbing hiss of a voice. "The chitin itself may be aspects of the shadow-cloak as it integrates itself into the 'body' of the Barsunala. Before you aided my union, the Barsunala could not do this. I am not entirely certain."

There is some probing by various blobby appendages, until Melusine is satisfied. "I cannot do this," she states. "Nor can the Countess. But the notion of using the cloak in such a manner – adding texture and volume – is interesting. It is a spirit of sorts, after all."

"It is oddly … nice to feel unique," Alptraum admits, "Is this something you would like to explore further about me?"

"Explore?" the Shadow asks. "I cannot learn this. Do you think you could teach it to Rosalind?"

The insect like Eeee rolls his head, the plating making an odd sliding sound against each other. "I might be able to. At the very least, I can try and see if she can learn it," Alptraum answers.

"Then teach her," Melusine requests. "To be able to change appearance before a foe is a great advantage. They will tremble all the more!"

"I will do so. There is nothing I would deny Rosalind, after all," Alptraum agrees, "Do you wish me to remain as this, or return to normal?"

"If you wish me to gauge the state of your health, you should assume your normal appearance," Melusine says.

Alptraum again closes his eyes. It's like watching a candle melt, then somehow reform when Alptraum slowly reverts back to his normal appearance. As he shakes out his long hair, then says, "I must admit I wish I could assume a form similar to yours, it too would have many possibilities. But, I believe it it outside what is possible with my union."

"Beings with form do best when holding a form," Melusine lectures. "Those without form have not the means for maintaining one."

"Have you ever tried or desired to hold a form?" Alptraum asks curiously.

"No, why would I?" the dragon replies. "I am what I am."

"Curiosity. Learning about others," Alptraum suggests, then shrugs. "But, as I said earlier, I prefer you as you are."

"I do not care to learn about others," Melusine notes. "What do you wish to be checked for? Have you suffered physical injury recently?"

"A few moments of being battered around, but no physical injury. But, I have noticed one subtle change in me recently. Before when I absorbed a creature through shadow only the orb on my hand would glow. Now … if it is of a sufficient level, my eyes start to glow much like Rosalind's; only silvery-white iris instead of red. It makes me wonder if there are subtle changes still occurring within me," Alptraum answers and now stands to make it easier to be 'devoured' for kenning.

"Most likely it is a sign of further integration," Melusine says. The kenning this time has a somewhat perfunctory feel too, rather than the deeper, more intimate type. A sort of magical version of 'turn your head and cough' as it were. "I'm not sensing any physical changes of note. You are in pristine condition."

After the procedure, Alptraum asks, "How far do you expect the integration to go?"

"Your condition is unprecedented," Melusine replies. "So I do not know."

"Is it of interest to you enough to wish to do regular monitoring?" Alptraum inquires next as he takes a moment to stretch.

"There is only so much I can detect via kenning," the dragon notes. "If you feel a physical change or manifestation, then I would be interested in seeing it. Spiritual or magical alterations are not within the scope of my experience or senses."

Alptraum holds up his right hand, noting, "Well, some changes have been physical, of course. Anyway, I will keep you informed if anything further changes on me. Well, unless you decide to change me, then there would be no point in telling you." He smiles jokingly.

"I may not be able to change you before much longer," the dragon notes. "The Shadow within you could resist."

"Want to experiment with any changes before it resists?" Alptraum offers jokingly. "Or to see if it already resists?"

"No," is the curt answer. "I do not 'experiment' with such things."

Alptraum's brow goes up at that curiously and thinks back to the actual flesh-leash on her pet. "Is there anything further you wish to see regarding the spirit energy?" he asks. "Or anything you can show me regarding using the shadow as an appendage?"

"You already seem to be progressing well in controlling the cloak," Melusine notes. "I believe will discover how on your own, if such is possible. You did not have aid in learning the spirit-overlay you demonstrated, did you?"

"No, but you did say you would not have been able to teach me that anyway," Alptraum notes, "But … I suppose I should leave you be, then. I apologize for, well, wasting your time with my questions."

"Visit when you wish," Melusine says. It's hard to gauge any sort of mood from that hollow monotone.

Alptraum heads towards the exit. He stops about halfway and looks back, asking, "Do you wish me to walk your pet again? I have some free time."

"She would like that," Melusine notes, and the Rughrat in question bounds over to Alptraum, sans flesh-leash this time.

"No leash? How will I keep her in line?" Alptraum asks.

"She seems willing to follow you, and is no longer in heat," the Shadow notes.

Alptraum pats the creature's head. "I had nothing to do with cooling down that heat," the Eeee notes quickly.

"I cannot see how you could have," Melusine replies.

"I will return her in half an hour," Alptraum comments then waves, "Good afternoon to you. Thank you again for your time." The Eeee then disappears up the exit passage.

Once outside the lair, Kaira pipes up from the gauntlet, "I think you have her worried, Alptraum! Good for you."

"Worried? What do you mean about that? She evidently could care less about me. Even her examination was simplistic. Actions betray what her voice does not," Alptraum notes.

"You have a lot to learn still about immortals," the other dragon's voice says. "You worried her because you're showing abilities she isn't familiar with. You're turning into more than just a 'Shadow Dragon host' and she doesn't know what it will lead to – such as possibly replacing her as the base of power in Draco County."

That gets a laugh from Alptraum. "I can't even begin to come close to replacing her. I can manage some interesting tricks, but I am nothing comparatively in power," the Eeee comments as he continues to walk.

"But you aren't damaged like she is either," Kaira points out, while the Rughrat tries to nibble on Alptraum's chitin-covered fingers.

"How is she damaged?" Alptraum has to ask. As long as the nibbling doesn't get painful, he allows the Rughrat to actually nibble."

"Think about it: she's here because of a battle fought with a unicorn," Kaira notes. "A unicorn who possessed the torque of control, with Melusine's True Name on it, and the ability to use it. It would have exhausted her to defend against that, and she'd had to have been near death to make the pact she did with the first Count Draco. She needs the Dracos, because she's crippled and might not survive on her own otherwise."

"Well, I'm not looking to replace her. I just want to maintain a reasonable relationship so that I can continue to be with Rosalind without too much interference," Alptraum comments as he continues upward, then out one of the side doors to walk the Rhugrat through the gardens. "Though, after that visit, I don't see much further point in seeing her. She's not going to try to teach me anything further; that much is evident."

"And unless she tries to interfere with Rosalind, well, at this point it seems she's accepting of me enough," the Eeee adds.

"She has no choice, really," Kaira notes. "Don't imagine that she has any affection for you though, Alptraum. Melusine didn't even like her children. Don't forget that dragons are evil, self-serving monsters."

"I wasn't expecting affection," Alptraum notes. "And you do realize that comment you just made could be applied to you as well since you're modeled after a dragon. Should I just treat you as an evil, self-serving, monster?"

"Well… I've obviously been corrupted by my association with you and other mortals," Kaira claims. "I'm plenty affectionate too! Or… at least plenty jealous, which is nearly the same thing for a dragon!"

"You could end your association with me, you know," Alptraum points out, "If I'm so trying and corrupting. You've seen Reapers exist that have similar abilities to me. One of them can probably wield the knife. And be less considerate of others wants and feelings, to boot. And less discriminate about using it."

"Hey, I didn't say it was a bad sort of corruption," Kaira says defensively. "I thought you liked me? Don't talk about passing me off on someone else!"

"I don't particularly appreciate the deriding of my attempts to form alliances at least to the point of making my life a little more manageable, you know? Melusine, for better or worse, is connected to Rosalind. I'm just trying to make it an area where I don't have to worry as much. By visiting her and trying to work with her, I'm trying to show I'm not a threat to her and that I defer to her on matters. It doesn't exactly make me feel great to be effectively told I'm being stupid," Alptraum remarks as he passes by one of the several old trees contained within the gardens.

"I'm just trying to look out for you," Kaira says apologetically. "It's why you agreed to slot the dagger when you meet with Mel in the first place; so I can let you know what I think is going on. I'm not saying that you're stupid!"

"Bahah," notes the Rughrat. Maybe she doesn't like talking forearms, as she's stopped nibbling and is just trotting alongside now.

"And do you want to know my biggest fear?" Alptraum says flatly, "If I somehow do manage to get Rosalind pregnant … and Melusine is significantly distrustful of me or deems me a threat, she'll kill the child. She may not be able to change me, but that doesn't mean she can't hurt me through Rose."

"Well, that's simple enough to deal with," Kaira notes. "If you succeed at the wedding, just have Rosalind stay with Arkold and Ravenia for a month or three. It'll be too far along then for Melusine to do anything about without it being obvious that it's her doing. I mean, she needs an heir to the Draco line."

"She can't stay away that long," Alptraum points out and shakes his head. "So, it's a risk I have to deal with and worry about."

"She will if you convince her to," Kaira notes. "It's not like she doesn't have stand-ins available; hardly anyone outside of the castle knows what she looks like, because she wears her armor when she goes out 'officially'."

"We'll see," Alptraum says a bit non-commitally. "I'm also nervous about being on my own with all of this," he adds with a tap against his encased right hand. "Granted, Melusine doesn't know what might happen to me, but I generally think she could fix major problems. Without her, if things go really bad with me physically, I'm not sure what I'll do."

"Well… the glowing eyes may not be something new," Kaira notes. "It could just be that you never overcharged yourself before. I don't expect the Shadow aspect to integrate with you further in any sudden surges – your Barsunala spirit actually resists it to some degree."

"We'll see, I guess," Alptraum again remarks non-committally. He pats the Rughrat lightly and starts a long arching turn to head back to the castle proper and return the pet.

"Are you mad at me?" Kaira asks next after a moment.

"Not specifically," Alptraum answers.

"Are you disappointed then?" Kaira asks. "Ever since Vorgulremik pointed you to Verminous, I've been wondering if you felt I was a burden."

"Disappointed in you? No. Why would I be? Why would you think Verminous is even in the same category?" Alptraum answers. "You're close to me. Verminous is just a necessary ally."

"It's more that discipline in the dagger was my responsibility," Kaira notes. "And it was Vorgulremik who provided the key to solving it. I'm not in a rush now because everyone isn't yelling at me to get something done. And then there was the whole thing with the Shadow knocking me out before that."

"The shadow ended with what was originally intended, it fused with me. The only unplanned part was you weren't there to see it happen," Alptraum points out. "I've considered you irritating and inconsiderate of how I feel about things at times, but I've never considered you a burden. Dagh, half the time I think you would be better off with someone more bloodthirsty than me because you'd have more chances at releasing those contained and completing your task. If anything I'm the burden."

"No, you're the normal one," Kaira claims. "Things are calm in here now, so I'm not worried about lowering the population as much. I haven't been pushing you lately, have I? But I can't change that I don't like or trust Melusine. I'm sorry, but… I don't know that I will ever have anything nice to say about her. I know that upsets you because you want to trust her and like her. So if you want me to just keep quiet, I will."

"I haven't asked you to say anything nice about her, nor do I expect you to. You're honest about what you think. Regardless of how I may feel about it, you're honest. At least it shows you do care," Alptraum admits as he heads back into the castle, Rughrat in tow. "It's not about liking her, it's about there is some mutual acceptance in that each will have to deal with the other and that just maybe there is some mutual benefit to it. But, eh, after that last talk it's obvious enough now she doesn't want to even try to help me further. So, like I said earlier, no point in visiting her again. If I'm not getting anything out of it in some fashion, I don't see why I should continue to put myself out for her."

"She wasn't lying about not being to help you do more," Kaira notes. "That's why I think she was worried. Are you still going to try and have that old broken heart crystal fixed?"

"Maybe. If for nothing else, my own curiosity about it. Not going to be a pressing concern on my mind, though,," Alptraum answers with a small shrug.

"Hopefully distance and Mave's potion will be enough," Kaira says, trying to sound more cheery. "Don't worry about Melusine doing anything to hurt Rose though. I'm sure she wouldn't dare."

"Who knows. As you put it, they're evil and selfish. I'm sure Melusine would rather see Rose and herself dead over being replaced, or worse," Alptraum comments.

"No, I can't see that happening," Kaira offers. "Shadow Dragons aren't like other immortals. They won't come back, so they're very protective of their lives. And the Melusine I remember was always very cautious. But she's not creative – few immortals are. You showed her new ideas she'd never considered."

"Time will tell," Alptraum comments with a shrug as he heads down the passage that leads back to her lair. "All I know is if she hurts Rose or any child she may have … I don't care if it will kill me in the process, but I'll find the biggest chunk of iron I can carry and ram it through her heart.

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.

"Have you come to walk my pet again, Alptraum?" echoes the voice of Melusine the Shadow Dragon. "I think she has taken a liking to you. See how her tail wags now?"

"I am certain she does not like me as much as you," Alptraum says as he enters and bows to the nebulous shape, "For who could ever be as grand as you." He walks forward a bit more, drawing closer to the darkness. "I came to ask two favors, if you will grant it? One, I wish to verify that my condition remains stable and the integration of the shadow progresses well. I have a bachelor party to manage and I want to be sure I am physically fit enough for a … wild night or two. The other, if you would be willing to teach me on how to craft my shadow into better defined shapes, to even shapes I could detach from myself for a time … if it is possible, of course. If you require anything for these services, please tell me and I will see what I can do," the Eeee says politely and tries to smile to the huge creature.

The dark mass flows forward, extending pseudopods to touch the Eeee with. "To shape… as I do? To create limbs?" it asks.

"That is one application, yes. I want to better learn how to use my shadow as an extension of myself," Alptraum agrees. He can't help but reach up and lightly touch one of the pseudpods with his chitinous hand.

There's a brief flash of light from the touch, and then the tentacle withdraws. "Interesting. These are areas I have not explored myself," Melusine notes. The pseudopod hovers in place, and seems to become more like an actual hand… if in a blobby, boneless way. It ends up looking like a tentacle with more tentacles branching off instead. "Your shadow is not quite flesh, however, so will be more… flexible… than my own."

"The flash was unexpected?" Alptraum inquires, still smiling and trying to look non-threatening, "And may I sit? I do not want to waste focus on standing. You deserve all my focus."

"You may sit," Melusine allows. "And it was the questions that were unexpected. You speak more rightly of Shadow Magic than Shadow manipulation. I cannot separate a part of myself and have it do anything other than die, but the wizards of Shadow in this world can create things out of shadow-stuff. For me, there has never been a reason for shape, as I have no use of it. It has always been something I could control in other creatures. Should I have a shape, to your thinking?"

"You? No. I think of you as you are now," Alptraum answers as he settles on the floor and crosses his legs and folds back his wings, "You are beautiful in the form you have now. I do not see a reason for you to be in another." Lookup up towards the creature, he asks, "So, then today it will be both of us exploring what my capabilities are?"

"Perhaps," Melusine grants. "What have you learned since we last met?"

"I have learned far greater control of my shadow cloak. I can shape and shift it in more complex clothing and maintain it without as much focus as it used to require. It has many interesting … possibilities," Alptraum explains. "And I have been taught how to use spirit-energy overlays to alter my appearance more significantly."

"Spirit energy?" Melusine asks, her glowing crystal bobbing to the surface at a faster rate now. "Show this to me."

Alptraum closes his eyes and draws in a deep breath. As he lets out a long breath, the air around him chills. His body seems to body draw in in some areas, going gaunt and almost skeletal … where on others the fur seems to go liquid and flow like oil. Claws extend, barbs extrude from his body. The normally angular features of Alptraum's face run and smooth out, becoming almost insectlike, with no noticeable lip-ridges. Behind him a smokey and spikey tail extends, flicking slowly against the floor. Alptraum's long white mane shifts into rows of chitinous spikes instead of hair. In the end, he remains all black save for completely white eyes, white spikes trailing down his head and neck, and the starburst white in the center of his chest where the scar still shows, even on chitin. "This form is … " the wraithlike creature hisses, "a natural union of the Shadow and the Barsunala."

"It is not kenned," Melusine states, perhaps in surprise. Her 'head' bobs closer, looking at Alptraum from various angles. "It is there but not there. Does this use your Shadow cloak at all?"

"If you wish to touch and examine, I do not mind," Alptraum offers in that disturbing hiss of a voice. "The chitin itself may be aspects of the shadow-cloak as it integrates itself into the 'body' of the Barsunala. Before you aided my union, the Barsunala could not do this. I am not entirely certain."

There is some probing by various blobby appendages, until Melusine is satisfied. "I cannot do this," she states. "Nor can the Countess. But the notion of using the cloak in such a manner – adding texture and volume – is interesting. It is a spirit of sorts, after all."

"It is oddly … nice to feel unique," Alptraum admits, "Is this something you would like to explore further about me?"

"Explore?" the Shadow asks. "I cannot learn this. Do you think you could teach it to Rosalind?"

The insectlike Eeee rolls his head, the plating making an odd sliding sound against each other. "I might be able to. At the very least, I can try and see if she can learn it," Alptraum answers.

"Then teach her," Melusine requests. "To be able to change appearance before a foe is a great advantage. They will tremble all the more!"

"I will do so. There is nothing I would deny Rosalind, after all," Alptraum agrees, "Do you wish me to remain as this, or return to normal?"

"If you wish me to gauge the state of your health, you should assume your normal appearance," Melusine says.

Alptraum again closes his eyes. It's like watching a candle melt, then somehow reform when Alptraum slowly reverts back to his normal appearance. As he shakes out his long hair, then says, "I must admit I wish I could assume a form similar to yours, it too would have many possibilities. But, I believe it it outside what is possible with my union."

"Beings with form do best when holding a form," Melusine lectures. "Those without form have not the means for maintaining one."

"Have you ever tried or desired to hold a form?" Alptraum asks curiously.

"No, why would I?" the dragon replies. "I am what I am."

"Curiosity. Learning about others," Alptraum suggests, then shrugs. "But, as I said earlier, I prefer you as you are."

"I do not care to learn about others," Melusine notes. "What do you wish to be checked for? Have you suffered physical injury recently?"

"A few moments of being battered around, but no physical injury. But, I have noticed one subtle change in me recently. Before when I absorbed a creature through shadow only the orb on my hand would glow. Now … if it is of a sufficient level, my eyes start to glow much like Rosalind's; only silvery-white iris instead of red. It makes me wonder if there are subtle changes still occurring within me," Alptraum answers and now stands to make it easier to be 'devoured' for kenning.

"Most likely it is a sign of further integration," Melusine says. The kenning this time has a somewhat perfunctory feel too, rather than the deeper, more intimate type. A sort of magical version of 'turn your head and cough' as it were. "I'm not sensing any physical changes of note. You are in pristine condition."

After the procedure, Alptraum asks, "How far do you expect the integration to go?"

"Your condition is unprecedented," Melusine replies. "So I do not know."

"Is it of interest to you enough to wish to do regular monitoring?" Alptraum inquires next as he takes a moment to stretch.

"There is only so much I can detect via kenning," the dragon notes. "If you feel a physical change or manifestation, then I would be interested in seeing it. Spiritual or magical alterations are not within the scope of my experience or senses."

Alptraum holds up his right hand, noting, "Well, some changes have been physical, of course. Anyway, I will keep you informed if anything further changes on me. Well, unless you decide to change me, then there would be no point in telling you." He smiles jokingly.

"I may not be able to change you before much longer," the dragon notes. "The Shadow within you could resist."

"Want to experiment with any changes before it resists?" Alptraum offers jokingly. "Or to see if it already resists?"

"No," is the curt answer. "I do not 'experiment' with such things."

Alptraum's brow goes up at that curiously and thinks back to the actual flesh-leash on her pet. "Is there anything further you wish to see regarding the spirit energy?" he asks. "Or anything you can show me regarding using the shadow as an appendage?"

"You already seem to be progressing well in controlling the cloak," Melusine notes. "I believe will discover how on your own, if such is possible. You did not have aid in learning the spirit-overlay you demonstrated, did you?"

"No, but you did say you would not have been able to teach me that anyway," Alptraum notes, "But … I suppose I should leave you be, then. I apologize for, well, wasting some of your time with my questions."

"Visit when you wish," Melusine says. It's hard to gauge any sort of mood from that hollow monotone.

Alptraum heads towards the exit. He stops about halfway and looks back, asking, "Do you wish me to walk your pet again? I have some free time."

"She would like that," Melusine notes, and the Rughrat in question bounds over to Alptraum, sans flesh-leash this tim.

"No leash? How will I keep her in line?" Alptraum asks.

"She seems willing to follow you, and is no longer in heat," the Shadow notes.

Alptraum pats the creature's head. "I had nothing to do with cooling down that heat," the Eeee notes quickly.

"I cannot see how you could have," Melusine replies.

"I will return her in half an hour," Alptraum comments then waves, "Good afternoon to you. Thank you again for your time." The Eeee then disappears up the exit passage.

Once outside the lair, Kaira pipes up from the gauntlet, "I think you have her worried, Alptraum! Good for you."

"Worried? What do you mean about that? She evidently could care less about me. Even her examination was simplistic. Actions betray what her voice does not," Alptraum notes.

"You have a lot to learn still about immortals," the other dragon's voice says. "You worried her because you're showing abilities she isn't familiar with. You're turning into more than just a 'Shadow Dragon host' and she doesn't know what it will lead to – such as possibly replacing her as the base of power in Draco County."

That gets a laugh from Alptraum. "I can't even begin to come close to replacing her. I can manage some interesting tricks, but I am nothing comparatively in power," the Eeee comments as he continues to walk.

"But you aren't damaged like she is either," Kaira points out, while the Rughrat tries to nibble on Alptraum's chitin-covered fingers.

"How is she damaged?" Alptraum has to ask. As long as the nibbling doesn't get painful, he allows the Rughrat to actually nibble."

"Think about it: she's here because of a battle fought with a unicorn," Kaira notes. "A unicorn who possessed the torque of control, with Melusine's True Name on it, and the ability to use it. It would have exhausted her to defend against that, and she'd had to have been near death to make the pact she did with the first Count Draco. She needs the Dracos, because she's crippled and might not survive on her own otherwise."

"Well, I'm not looking to replace her. I just want to maintain a reasonable relationship so that I can continue to be with Rosalind without too much interference," Alptraum comments as he continues upward, then out one of the side doors to walk the Rhugrat through the gardens. "Though, after that visit, I don't see much further point in seeing her. She's not going to try to teach me anything further; that much is evident."

"And unless she tries to interfere with Rosalind, well, at this point it seems she's accepting of me enough," the Eeee adds.

"She has no choice, really," Kaira notes. "Don't imagine that she has any affection for you though, Alptraum. Melusine didn't even like her children. Don't forget that dragons are evil, self-serving monsters."

"I wasn't expecting affection," Alptraum notes. "And you do realize that comment you just made could be applied to you as well since you're modeled after a dragon. Should I just treat you as an evil, self-serving, monster?"

"Well… I've obviously been corrupted by my association with you and other mortals," Kaira claims. "I'm plenty affectionate too! Or… at least plenty jealous, which is nearly the same thing for a dragon!"

"You could end your association with me, you know," Alptraum points out, "If I'm so trying and corrupting. You've seen Reapers exist that have similar abilities to me. One of them can probably wield the knife. And be less considerate of others wants and feelings, to boot. And less discriminate about using it."

"Hey, I didn't say it was a bad sort of corruption," Kaira says defensively. "I thought you liked me? Don't talk about passing me off on someone else!"

"I don't particularly appreciate the deriding of my attempts to form alliances at least to the point of making my life a little more manageable, you know? Melusine, for better or worse, is connected to Rosalind. I'm just trying to make it an area where I don't have to worry as much. By visiting her and trying to work with her, I'm trying to show I'm not a threat to her and that I defer to her on matters. It doesn't exactly make me feel great to be effectively told I'm being stupid," Alptraum remarks as he passes by one of the several old trees contained within the gardens.

"I'm just trying to look out for you," Kaira says apologetically. "It's why you agreed to slot the dagger when you meet with Mel in the first place; so I can let you know what I think is going on. I'm not saying that you're stupid!"

"Bahah," notes the Rughrat. Maybe she doesn't like talking forearms, as she's stopped nibbling and is just trotting alongside now.

"And do you want to know my biggest fear?" Alptraum says flatly, "If I somehow do manage to get Rosalind pregnant … and Melusine is significantly distrustful of me or deems me a threat, she'll kill the child. She may not be able to change me, but that doesn't mean she can't hurt me through Rose."

"Well, that's simple enough to deal with," Kaira notes. "If you succeed at the wedding, just have Rosalind stay with Arkold and Ravenia for a month or three. It'll be too far along then for Melusine to do anything about without it being obvious that it's her doing. I mean, she needs an heir to the Draco line."

"She can't stay away that long," Alptraum points out and shakes his head. "So, it's a risk I have to deal with and worry about."

"She will if you convince her to," Kaira notes. "It's not like she doesn't have stand-ins available; hardly anyone outside of the castle knows what she looks like, because she wears her armor when she goes out 'officially'."

"We'll see," Alptraum says a bit non-commitally. "I'm also nervous about being on my own with all of this," he adds with a tap against his encased right hand. "Granted, Melusine doesn't know what might happen to me, but I generally think she could fix major problems. Without her, if things go really bad with me physically, I'm not sure what I'll do."

"Well… the glowing eyes may not be something new," Kaira notes. "It could just be that you never overcharged yourself before. I don't expect the Shadow aspect to integrate with you further in any sudden surges – your Barsunala spirit actually resists it to some degree."

"We'll see, I guess," Alptraum again remarks non-committally. He pats the Rughrat lightly and starts a long arching turn to head back to the castle proper and return the pet.

"Are you mad at me?" Kaira asks next after a moment.

"Not specifically," Alptraum answers.

"Are you disappointed then?" Kaira asks. "Ever since Vorgulremik pointed you to Verminous, I've been wondering if you felt I was a burden."

"Disappointed in you? No. Why would I be? Why would you think Verminous is even in the same category?" Alptraum answers. "You're close to me. Verminous is just a necessary ally."

"It's more that discipline in the dagger was my responsibility," Kaira notes. "And it was Vorgulremik who provided the key to solving it. I'm not in a rush now because everyone isn't yelling at me to get something done. And then there was the whole thing with the Shadow knocking me out before that."

"The shadow ended with what was originally intended, it fused with me. The only unplanned part was you weren't there to see it happen," Alptraum points out. "I've considered you irritating and inconsiderate of how I feel about things at times, but I've never considered you a burden. Dagh, half the time I think you would be better off with someone more bloodthirsty than me because you'd have more chances at releasing those contained and completing your task. If anything I'm the burden."

"No, you're the normal one," Kaira claims. "Things are calm in here now, so I'm not worried about lowering the population as much. I haven't been pushing you lately, have I? But I can't change that I don't like or trust Melusine. I'm sorry, but… I don't know that I will ever have anything nice to say about her. I know that upsets you because you want to trust her and like her. So if you want me to just keep quiet, I will."

"I haven't asked you to say anything nice about her, nor do I expect you to. You're honest about what you think. Regardless of how I may feel about it, you're honest. At least it shows you do care," Alptraum admits as he heads back into the castle, Rughrat in tow. "It's not about liking her, it's about there is some mutual acceptance in that each will have to deal with the other and that just maybe there is some mutual benefit to it. But, eh, after that last talk it's obvious enough now she doesn't want to even try to help me further. So, like I said earlier, no point in visiting her again. If I'm not getting anything out of it in some fashion, I don't see why I should continue to put myself out for her."

"She wasn't lying about not being to help you do more," Kaira notes. "That's why I think she was worried. Are you still going to try and have that old broken heart crystal fixed?"

"Maybe. If for nothing else, my own curiosity about it. Not going to be a pressing concern on my mind, though,," Alptraum answers with a small shrug.

"Hopefully distance and Mave's potion will be enough," Kaira says, trying to sound more cheery. "Don't worry about Melusine doing anything to hurt Rose though. I'm sure she wouldn't dare."

"Who knows. As you put it, they're evil and selfish. I'm sure Melusine would rather see Rose and herself dead over being replaced, or worse," Alptraum comments.

"No, I can't see that happening," Kaira offers. "Shadow Dragons aren't like other immortals. They won't come back, so they're very protective of their lives. And the Melusine I remember was always very cautious. But she's not creative – few immortals are. You showed her new ideas she'd never considered."

"Time will tell," Alptraum comments with a shrug as he heads down the passage that leads back to her lair. "All I know is if she hurts Rose or any child she may have … I don't care if it will kill me in the process, but I'll find the biggest chunk of Iron I can carry and ram it through her heart.