Castle Library
The grand bedroom has been converted into a library with towering bookshelves carved with all sorts of ornate and rather creepy figures. For those wishing to peruse the books and read them at their leisure, overstuffed chairs are scattered throughout the room. Candelabras stand everywhere, and various throw rugs and a blazing hearth keep the room warm.

Well, for Tulani it turns out the man Mortimer was to meet hasn't shown up yet … So Tulani has a bit of free time on her hands until Mortimer can locate him. Wandering the castle, she finds herself walking into the library. Much to her surprise, Alptraum is also there (and still quite green). In the light, she can tell even his skin is green, wing membranes to lips. He's sitting in a chair near the fire and staring at the underside of his chitinous hand.

Grinning faintly as she starts looking over a nearby series of bookshelves, the Sphynx comments from across the room, "You know Alptraum, you don't look too bad in green."

Alptraum laughs at that. "I'm not sure our resident Reaper would agree. What with us being monsters and all," he comments as he runs a finger along the desiccated flesh of his right hand. "And maybe he's right. I have been exploring the abilities the Shadow gave me to do things to fulfill the dreams of my friends, like Phlagaea. I hope she likes how I turned out. I've worked up a speech and everything to give to her when I present myself. I don't like that she's feeling lonely."

"Yes, it's never good to feel lonely… I hope she and Mave both appreciate the trouble you go through to try to please them," Tulani replies with a sympathetic frown. Quirking an eyebrow, the Sphynx continues looking over the books until she finds one of short riddles, taking it off the shelf and joining Alptraum by the hearth.

"Well, I like to think they do and appreciate it in their own ways. I've done so much for them and for the Countess," Alptraum admits. "And you've done a lot too. We've both come out with our own scars, dragon." He even flashes the feline a grin.

"I have to admit that sometimes it is nice having scales," the Sphynx replies with a wry smile, flipping open the book. "So, how do you think our new friend the Reaper will feel when he finds out?"

"Probably say something obnoxious about how he will need to keep an eye on another monster," Alptraum says rather drolly and rolls his eyes a bit. "Do you think we're monsters, Tulani? Honestly? I'm slowly becoming a shadow dragon of a sort. You… well, you're a weredragon. But are we monsters?"

"I'm still myself, and you're still Alptraum. We are what we are. But no, I don't think we're monsters. And we're certainly not evil at least. Mort's definition seems a bit broad, but it fits in his line of work and in the minds of many of the people he has to work with, so I can understand why he uses it," Tulani notes quietly, stretching and then relaxing her wings and then letting them fall to her sides loosely.

"Mentally I'm still myself. Physically … not so much," Alptraum finally admits to himself. "But either way … I like what I have become and the costs have been manageable so far. It is nice to be able to shift small things. It's also … well … the Countess. I can't believe it, but I would do literally anything for her. I hope I don't lose her. I'm also glad you stayed to work with Draco county to give me someone to talk to."

"I'm glad you feel that way for her, I'm sure the countess appreciates it. And don't worry about me, Alptraum; I'm always happy to talk to you, and if I do go anywhere I'll certainly come back. I do miss Arkold though. I wonder how he's doing," Tulani admits with a sigh.

"Knowing him, having a blast with Ravenia," Alptraum comments with a grin. "I envy him. Seeing him engaged has gotten me thinking about … Well, I've honestly been thinking about courting the Countess. I wouldn't be adverse to marriage someday. Maybe."

"Well, I wish you the best of luck my friend. Try not to rush into courtship, take some time and think about how you want to go about things," Tulani notes, starting to grin. "And to be honest I think you two would be rather well matched."

"Except she's nobility and I'm … not," Alptraum admits. "Which complicates things a lot. As in; I can't marry her."

"Hmm… well, you could always talk to her yourself about your feelings and see how she feels. She is the countess of this region, I'm sure she could find a way around that if she also wishes to marry and spend her life with you," the Sphynx suggests.

"Yeah, and I could also fight the dire rabbits of doom. I'd be less terrified of doing that, too," Alptraum notes with a green, fangy grin. "Anyway, it is a long ways off. It's just … I've actually been thinking about it. So, what about you? What are your future plans?"

"Well… my plans don't extend as far as yours, I suppose. I just want to take some time to visit my parents and then go back to traveling and working my new job," Tulani states with a smile before her ears start to wilt a bit. "It's a bit simple isn't it? But at least I'm not planning to take over a castle and hoard treasure right?"

"Simple is good. Simple has less stress," Alptraum quips. "So, what have you decided to tell your parents about your condition?"

"I trust them, so I plan to tell them the truth. Maybe not in detail, but I'll tell them how it is. After all, I am still myself, right?" the black and white Sphynx queries with perked ears.

"Yes. It's just that it might not go over too well. I didn't tell my parents what happened to me," Alptraum admits with a small shrug. "I hope it goes well for you, though."

"I'll deal with things as they come then if it doesn't go well," Tulani says thoughtfully before giving Alptraum an odd look. "You'll still be there for me, right Alptraum? If something goes wrong I can still count on you right?"

That earns Tulani an equally odd look in return. "Why wouldn't I be there for you?" he asks.

The Sphynx' ear flicks and she actually looks reassured… and maybe a bit relieved at the question. "I don't know. I just… felt like I needed to ask for some reason." She then gives the Eee a light, friendly punch on the shoulder. "I trust you. You always try so hard to make people happy."

"That can be a bad thing too," Alptraum says. He holds up his zombie-looking hand, adding, "Such as this." His brow furrows a bit, then he says, "And you know, I haven't really tried to make you happy. I just … I … well, you never have seemed like you needed it."

"Hey, just knowing you'll be there for me helps make me happy. I just want to spend time with you occasionally. I suppose Mave and Phlagaea have it harder, being so far outside of their own culture. At least I can count Sylvania as my home. Now, is there anything I can do to help make you happy? You do seem like you need cheering up sometimes," Tulani notes with a smile.

"Uh … " Alptraum says as a start. His answer to that is to look at Tulani, expression held completely serious. The Eeee then waggles his green eyebrows seductively. Or, well, playfully, at least. Never a straight answer from the Eeee, no.

At this Tulani can't help but start chuckling brightly, and almost dropping her book. "My but you are a rogue Alptraum!"

"Hey, you are the most normal woman I know. It's probably healthy for me to flirt with normalcy once in a while," Alptraum says as he tries to smile innocently. "Now, being serious … just keep an eye on me. Such as; do you think it's safe for me to be giving myself to Phlagaea for a day such as I am? She's never once tried to harm me, but … maybe I'm too trusting."

"I'll keep an eye on you Alptraum, don't worry about that. And as for Phlagaea; I doubt she'd want to do anything to hurt you. But, she might do something without realizing it might cause problems, or that it might be harmful to you. I'm more worried about Mave personally," Tulani replies quietly.

"I'm keeping a close eye on Mave," Alptraum admits quietly. "I'm trying to get her to reveal her true intentions accidentally. I'm letting her think she has me under her control and hoping she makes a mistake… "

"I'll hope for your success then. She hasn't done anything yet, but I still worry. If anything happens let me know," the Sphynx adds with a nod.

"I do too. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go get properly dressed to present myself formally to Phlagaea," Alptraum says and stands. He reaches over and ruffles Tulani's head, adding, "Don't ever change. You keep us all stable." The Eeee flashes a grin, then slips out the door.

Tulani smiles as she watches the Eeee exit, before turning back to her book with a chuckle and whispering, "Don't worry, I'll do my best Alptraum."