The real world swims back into focus of Nicora as she escapes the dagger. For a moment she wonders if she's looking into a mirror – but it's actually Rose, sitting on the edge of the bed and watching her closely. "Are you alright?" the woman asks. "You were making interesting noises when I came in. And why is Snow still asleep? Did you eat her earlier?"

"Hello beautiful," Nicora murmurs as her eyes focus on Rosalind. Nicora yawns a bit, stretches, then sits up. "I dove into the knife to check on Kaira and let her check on me," she says as she blinks away the remnants of sleep. "It was … an interesting experience. Melusine did a bit more to me than we knew. It made the knife dive a bit of an … adventure. Lots of running, scaping, and discovering things about the new me." She yawns again, tilts her head to look sidelong at Snow, then says, "Yes, I had a small meal from her earlier. She should rest some."

"I'll have the kitchen prepare a steak for her and Phlagaea for dinner tonight," Rose decides. "It probably wouldn't be fair to feed on her again so soon after you did."

"As tasty as she is, no, it would not," Nicora agrees. She reaches around to pick up her own tail and cradle it in her right hand. She then proceeds to pet it with her left. "How are you doing?" Nicora asks Rosalind. "Still okay with what Melusine did to me for my travel disguise?"

"It is a bit odd, since you look like me," Rose notes, and eyes the tail. "I can't even bite you on the neck now… although I'm tempted to try the tail. What happened in the dagger that makes you think Melusine did more than just make you into me?"

Nicora actually offers the tail to Rosalind. "Something that was probably smart … and also scary. She isolated the male part of my spirit in my tail as well as the biological parts. It is keeping them safe from the chaos I'm enduring. But, it also means that until Melusine returns me to normal, I am completely female, spirit included. Kaira said while she can make me biologically male, my spirit and mind will … remain female," she explains, trying to sound calm about it. "I'm getting used to being a woman now. I'm comfortable with this body. But … knowing that it really is permanent until Melusine undoes it … it does make me feel uneasy."

Rose strokes the tail, until it starts to wiggle, and says, "Well, that's not so bad. I've been female my entire life and it hasn't driven me crazy yet. Besides, it's not like you're going to going on dates or sleeping around." She then bites into the tail, just behind the draco-serpentine head. The little monster's eyes roll back and the whole appendage vibrates. It also affects Nicora too of course! It's a good thing Rose never tried this on Alptraum.

Nicora's eyes go wide briefly, then lets out a small mft of breath as her eyes droop half-closed. "And sensations like this I do have to admit make this body worth having," she murmurs as her right and left hands sort of knead the bed.

Once Rose realizes (or tastes) the effect she's having… well, she doesn't stop. She's still hungry after all. So things continue for a few more minutes, before she releases the serpent and gives Nicora a look. "It's not fair for you to enjoy that more than I do," she points out.

"The biggest adjustments for me I think are how the hormones make me feel, and how what I find attractive has changed," Nicora admits, "I do find a bit of a thrill now when, I well, can get a male to do what I want. It's … interesting how good it feels to be in control because of what I look like and radiate." Nicora's lips then draw back into a small smile and she says, "Lie down and I'll do some things I know you'll enjoy. The tail has uses … as does other things." She licks her lips suggestively.

"Oooo… but you still look like my twin sister," Rose notes. "Even with the new hairdo and eyes. Not sure I can get past that." She then gives Snow a thoughtful look. "I should have Snow turned into a man while you are away… "

"I could blindfold you, so you don't see me, you just enjoy," Nicora offers, "And … I could ask Melusine to make Snow male if you like. I was wary of doing that, but … if it would help you, well … I'm more open to the idea."

"I was only saying that in jest," Rose claims, poking Nicora in the chest. "If I cannot resist the hormones, I will call on Lilith's blind Lapi friend. She says he is very nice. You also smell like me, you know."

"After visiting the place Lilith recommended for women who are in pain, well, I can appreciate why a Lapi would be a nice companion," Nicora admits, "Would you like me to check out this friend of Lilith's before he is brought here? Since I smell and sound like you, it would be a good test on what he would do?"

Rose blinks and then grins. "Are you interested in sampling this man for yourself then, consort?" she asks wickedly.

Nicora's ears heat up. "I'm only concerned with your safety," she claims, "And am willing to make sure he is safe and adequate for you."

"Plus having an outlet for how I'm feeling would be good," Nicora adds a bit quieter, "Since you're not comfortable being with me now."

"I have Lilith's word… " Rose says, but then her face shows that she just had an idea or realization. "Oh, I see now. Yes, you may inspect him first, of course."

"Really? You are okay with me inspecting him?" Nicora asks as she eyes Rosalind. "May I ask what helped you decide that?"

"Well… it just seems to me that there is still some of the old Alptraum in that pretty head," Rose suggests. "So of course my consort wouldn't want a replacement that was too good, right?" She even winks.

Nicora grins weakly. "There is a little fear of that, yes. As your consort I should be the best at pleasing you," she points out.

"And perhaps learning best how this body reacts with someone safe would teach me how to better be with you when I'm normal again," Nicora claims.

"And also learn all of this man's secrets too," Rose points out. "But you should probably visit with Melusine first, and determine if it's safe for you to be doing such things."

Nicora holds out her right hand now and looks at it, trying to think of less uncomfortable things. It looks normal for an Eeee, save the jewel and the sheath sticking out of the skin. The funny part is, it looks normal, but doesn't feel normal. So … Nicora relaxes the shape, letting it revert to its skeletal structure over shadow flesh. "Yes, I suppose I should see Melusine about such matters," she admits. "I suppose if it isn't safe, well, Melusine can make it safe by adjusting me some." That last bit comes with a nervous twitch of her ears.

"Oh, don't fret… I'm sure Melusine understands about sex by now," Draco claims, and… pinches Nicora's cheek!

"I used to think I did, but this experience has taught me different!" Nicora claims and rubs her cheek. She then sticks out her tongue at Rosalind and rises to get dressed. A nice floor-length dress today, she thinks, something elegant that the countess normally wears.

"I hope your new fashion sense survives changing back," Rose says. "Not that I want you wearing my clothes at that point, but dressing elegantly."

Nicora is already putting on her undergarments from Viktoria, save the panties. That she leaves to the plain black ones with a pad since she's still … bleeding some. After that she pulls on a shimmery black dress that cross-crosses over her shoulders to support her chest and from the waist down flows around her legs. "I hope I don't have the urge to dress in your clothing when I change back either," she says, "But … I do have an appreciation for dressing well now."

"I'll let you dress me in the morning then!" Rose declares with a giggle. "Now shoo, before I become distracted and start molesting Snow."

"Now who isn't being fair? I want to be intimate with you … and you shoo me away," Nicora teases Rosalind, and even flutters her eyelashes at her. After a quick, playful, grin, Nicora leaves the suite to descend into Melusine's lair. "I hope Melusine is in a good mood," she remarks to herself.

"It is good that you have come, my pet," Melusine coos when Nicora arrives. "I was growing bored, and boredom sours my mood. Why do you smell of blood more than usual today?"

"Pet?" Nicora ponders, then her stomach sinks. She remembers what she promised while under Melusine's shadow aura influence. "I am … in the middle of menstruation," she admits as she walks towards Melusine, her hips swaying in what looks like a natural gait after much practice. "I never realized how trying it is for a woman to have a reproductive cycle."

"I normally do not concern myself with the reproductive functions of lesser forms," the shadow dragon notes. "You are wearing a 'nice' dress. Does this mean you have plans for the evening beyond attending to me?"

"Nothing as of yet. There is a Lapi buck that Rosalind is considering to act as my surrogate while I am away and I have been considering making sure he is 'safe' for her. But, I am not certain how safe it is for me to spend too much time being intimate with a male," Nicora admits, feeling her ears heat up again. "I am hoping you can tell me if it is safe for me to spend time in such a way. But that is, of course, secondary to your needs and wishes," Nicora adds as she stops a couple feet from Melusine's shadowy mass. "What do you desire of me today?"

"Come, sit," Melusine says, forming a padded-chair of sorts from her formless flesh. It's probably the equivalent of a 'lap' for the dragon. "You should not be hurt by such activity, so long as you are properly aroused first to allow entry. While menstruating, you may feel more easily aroused than normal. Is that what you wanted to know?"

"Yes," Nicora admits. Her head tilts as she eyes the indention in Melusine's body. "Should I undress first," she asks, "To protect Rosalind's clothing?" The Eeee swallows, that indention is where she was so warped and changed last time, where she lost both her gender, and confused her mental identity. It's actually more terrifying this time since she knows more of what she might expect to happen.

"That will not be necessary," Melusine says… but then adds, "unless you would like for me to remove the tail, and use it to create a proxy to service Rosalind in your stead?"

"Ah, no," Nicora admits as she approaches the indention and turns around. Her stomach is a mess of 'butterflies and fear' as she lowers herself down onto Melusine's soft body. "I have become quite fond of the tail, you were wise to give it to me," she claims. There Nicora tries to get comfortable. Physically she is, but inside … she's terrified of what Melusine might do.

It's hard to think that anything could be more comfortable than Melusine, once Nicora is situated. The dragon even enfolds her wings so that the Eeee is not sitting back on them. "Of course I was. You should not question my choices," Mel notes.

"You are right, I should not," Nicora agrees, while thinking something different. "I hope you can forgive me for that earlier, I was scared," she admits, "But now I understand better and realize you know what is best for your pets' flesh." That last bit, well, isn't quite what Nicora really thinks, but it is best to keep on Melusine's good side; she is her only way back to being male again.

The dragon is warm, and even ripples and vibrates a bit to help loosen Nicora's muscles. "It is good that you are enjoying my gift," Mel rumbles. "There are many more things that I think you will enjoy. Mortal forms are so… inefficient. There is much improvement to be made." Nicora's wings tingle as well, being wholly submerged within Mel's body.

"And I look forward to when you will improve my body with other gifts I hope that through it you will also find enjoyment in such work to repay you for them," Nicora says as she slowly relaxes. Those nerves seem to fade some as her muscles loosen. It wasn't so bad to visit Melusine after all. The tingle of her wings causes the Eeee to 'flex' them a little instinctively. Everything is just so comfortable, Nicora even lets her eyes close.

"We should test this new improvement then, before you fall asleep," Melusine suggests.

Nicora's eyes open slowly. "New improvement? But I have not felt anything change?" the Eeee admits. Back returns that tingle of fear as Nicora wonders, "Did she change my wings?!"

They don't feel different… exactly. There's no way to tell, since they're buried within the shadow dragon's flesh still. She'll just have to leave the comfortable embrace to find out.

"May I stand?" Nicora asks instead of just getting up.

"Of course you may," Melusine replies, and helpfully starts withdrawing her 'lap' so that Nicora is soon standing.

Nicora gets to her feet, but her attention is on her wings as they pull free from Melusine's shadowy embrace, trying to sense what may have changed.

It really isn't obvious at first. She spreads and wiggles the fingers, wraps the arms around her waist, and even places her other hands on her hips. Then it finally sinks in: her wings have become a second set of arms and hands.

Nicora's reaction is at first one of confusion as she tries to figure out what exactly has changed. This is not easy it at all and it finally takes when she compares the bone lengths to her normal arms she realizes the differences in shape and how they move. Her hands immediately come up and feel around her new shoulder joint. "You've given me four arms!?" she squeaks as she turns around and around to see. "How can I fly like this? Can I change them around so that I can?"

"You already had four arms," Melusine claims. "You were simply using one set as wings. But your ancient ancestors likely started out like this. It is very educational."

Nicora tries to fly with the modified arms, to see if they work as wings at all.

This results in… well, it's just a good thing nobody else is around to see her hop around flapping her arms, which have no membranes so can't possibly act as wings.

Trying not to panic too much, Nicora instead decides to experiment more with the modification. She actually kneels down, then leans forward and tests if she can walk using all four arms. "This is … " she says, "Very strange. It did not hurt at all when you changed them. I felt very little… "

The experiment gives an odd result, in that Nicora can walk with just the modified arms if she wants, with the rest of her body hanging parallel to the ground. And doing a four-point handstand is very simple, even if it causes the gown to sag a bit towards her waist.

Nicora crawls around for a few minutes, then gets up to her feet. She actually removes her gown and undergarments now, to protect them while she experiments with her new appendages. Four arms and a serpent-tail; she looks very much the monster. "I feel like a vermite, sort of," she admits, yet doesn't seem too freaked out.

"Your kind may have evolved from an insect," Melusine suggests. "They should feel natural. Perhaps I can try to fully devolve you another time. I've never done that before… "

"Is there anything else you could try to devolve safely now?" Nicora actually asks, oddly fascinated with how the arms are working. "This is … interesting. They don't feel odd," she admits as she holds her original arms up and puts her knew hands on her hips.

"There are few natural creatures on this world," Melusine claims. "I will need to find one with a clear ancestry."

"I am … having fun," Nicora admits as she experiments more with her new arms. She even walks over and feels along Melusine's smooth surface with all four hands. "If my legs were shortened and shaped to match, I would look like an odd insect."

"Would you like me to replace your legs with arms?" Melusine asks.

Nicora actually considers this. "Will you turn me back to as I was before I leave?" she asks.

The dragon-blob seems to consider this. "If you insist," Melusine relents.

Nicora then kneels back down and forward to support herself on her four arms, facing away from Melusine so that her legs and hips are in easy reach of the shadow dragon. "Then I would like you change my legs to match. It will be educational. And I hope for you … enjoyable."

A dark tentacle wraps around Nicora's waist, and drags her back until only her upper torso is extending from the Melusine. It doesn't feel tingly this time, it feels weird. Her hips are being reshaped, and it's causing her cramps to flare up… but with that end embedded in the shadow dragon, there's no telling what Melusine is doing with the results.

Nicora's head tilts and her teeth grit as the experience is not exactly pleasant, and the pained noises she makes indicate that vocally. She has to remind herself she asked Melusine to do it, and thus the discomfort is entirely her own fault. This is the second time she has felt her hip bones change. She also realizes how odd she must look, half an Eee, only with four arms, sticking out of Melusine's flesh. "Just hold still, it will be over soon. Just try to 'relax', Nicora. Melusine likes doing this and she was bored … so this is good to keep her happy," she tries to think to herself.

Well, maybe not over too soon, as Nicora finds the rest of her being sucked in now as well!

Nicora's eyes go wide and she lets out a single protest squeak of surprise before her head sinks into the flesh of the shadow dragon! Her vision goes dark, but that only intensifies her focus on her body, trying to feel what Melusine is doing to her … and hoping it will not be agonizing!

At this point, Nicora feels completely detached from her body… and may not even be awake. It's more like when Kaira changes her; a sort of dark floating limbo. But eventually it passes, and a sense of body returns. When Nicora regains her senses… her body is completely changed! Her head feels the same, but her neck is twice as long and disturbingly limber. Instead of a second joint on each shoulder, she feels three distinct sets now, evenly spaced along her spine, with nothing that corresponds to legs. Her fingers are thicker, with long, curling claws, and her 'tail' is also bigger and longer, although its face hasn't changed.

"Nnrgh," Nicora murmurs from where she lays oddly splayed on the floor. Everything is so confusing for her at first, it is hard to be terrified immediately. But as realization of changes slowly come to her, she feels the ripples of terror in the pit of her stomach. It gets worse when she discovers she has some knowledge of how to move the limbs, but it is by no means graceful as she struggles to get up onto all six limbs. She staggers and topples several times in the process. Once she manages to get up and now stands horizontal to the floor, the changes in her neck become very apparent as to why. She has to arch her neck so that she isn't starting at the floor all the time. And … the weight difference is balanced by that thickened and elongated tail. "Oh my Gods," Nicora tries to say, terrified that she may not even be able to speak like this.

The elongated throat does add a certain hollowness to her voice – making her sound a bit like Kaira in fact. And in all the strangeness, an abdominal cramp at least gives her something familiar! "Do you like it?" Melusine asks. "Perhaps colors other than black would be prettier."

"I think I like it," Nicora claims, though she's utterly terrified. The wince that comes is the cramp reminding her that yes, Melusine has left her quite female, though she has no idea how she looks at her hips now. So … she tries to twist and crane a bit to get a look to how different her rear hips actually look, and if her gender, while female, looks Eeee female or … something else.

There's no way to really see, without rolling onto her back and then… curling around. Her hips look narrower… but then so do her first set of shoulders, with the 'middle' set being wider.

Nicora realizes she must look silly on her back and curled up … but she wanted to see how her body was shaped. "Oh, she's moved things in … and back more," she thinks, ears flushing red when she realizes that means when standing and her tail is to the side, everything is visible. She struggles to roll back over and get back up on her limbs, then staggers about awkwardly as she tries to figure out how to 'walk' like this. "Do you like it?" she asks Melusine.

"It is more entertaining than a centaurid build," Melusine notes, and wobbles about a bit, extending her 'head' to get a closer look. "Do you know how to juggle?" she asks.

"When I had two arms, yes," Nicora actually admits, "I was an entertainer." She comes around so that her nose is a few inches from Melusine's 'nose'.

"Could you juggle with four arms?" Melusine asks. "I like juggling," she notes, a bit more ominously.

"I can try," Nicora offers and she actually rolls onto her back so that all six arms are free. "Do you have balls for me to use?" she asks.

The mass shifts, as Melusine retreats to the far, dark corner of her cave, where she presumably keeps her pet and any other 'stuff' – she is a dragon after all, so probably has some sort of collection. When she rolls back over, she 'spits' several objects out onto Nicora's belly. They're all skulls, of course, but very smooth and shiny and ball-shaped, so that whatever (or whoever) they originally belonged too is impossible to tell.

"Oh Gods," Nicora thinks as she eyes the misshapen skulls. It actually takes her a bit to recover from the horror and mick up the skulls, one in each of her hands. From there it gets tricky. She starts by just trying to juggle with her to 'original' arms. This takes a couple minutes to get going reasonably well as she 'learns' her new body. Five minutes later she starts on her midsection arms, mimicing the movements she does with her forearms. This takes longer before she manages to stop dropping the skulls. The last set of arms, well, that takes the longest of Nicora practicing before she's 'passibly' juggling with all of her arms. "I'm sorry it isn't better," she admits, her ears folding back. "I am not used to this body."

"You just need more extended periods in it until you are proficient," Melusine declares. She does sound amused though, so the juggling must still be entertaining to her.

"Are you going to put me in this body now and then?" Nicora asks, eyes huge and horrified. She almost screws up juggling, but regains her control at the last second.

"If it results in improved coordination in your other forms, it would be good to practice further in this or a similar form," Melusine notes. "For juggling, it need not be mobile."

"Okay," Nicora agrees, feeling absolute terror. "So, this is what it means to be a shadow dragon pet," she thinks. "May I request a small body alteration?" she asks in a soft voice, "For when you turn me back into a Rosalind copy?"

"What alteration would you like?" Melusine asks, still sounding… amused.

"It would be good if I could fake not being a vampire. I can consume with my shadow, but that doesn't help me if I have to pretend to eat normally. Is there any way you can … create a path within me so that my shadow can link to and enter my stomach. That way it would be hidden when I was using it to eat," Nicora explains.

"How intriguing," Melusine purrs. "A suitable passage may already exist, but is atrophied. It can be modified to meet your requirement. You will still need to consume blood for nutrition, however."

"Right, but at least I could attend a banquet and not become ill because I ate something solid," Nicora says, her head bobbing on that long neck. "Shall I just juggle fro you for a bit before you turn me back? Is there more you wish to do? I do want you to be satisfied with my visits."

A pseudopod extends and rubs Nicora's exposed belly. "I am now interested in changing you back into Rose, with this additional, novel modification."

Nicora sets the skulls aside and then can't stop herself. She giggles … and the two lower limbs on her right side paw at the air as Melusine rubs. "This is humiliating," she thinks.

The rubbing turns into a pressure, as the shadow-flesh starts to spread out and engulf Nicora's body. Mercifully, she ends up back in dark limbo instead of being able to feel what's happening to her. After some unknowable amount of time, she finds herself floating atop Melusine, apparently no different than when she first arrived.

Nicora's eyes slowly open and she sighs. She stretches out each limb, testing that it is, indeed back. She even reaches down and squeezes her tail, which is a mistake since it causes her to shudder and muffle a pleased squeak. After she collects herself, she sits up and concentrates, trying to see if she can feel anything leading from her right arm to her chest and then down into her belly.

Nothing seems to indicate a new path or entry-point, internal or otherwise. Melusine's blob-head hovers over the bat, almost expectantly.

Nicora clenches her fist and admits, "I'm not sure how to test this." She tries to feel her shadow, then imagine it oozing within her to her throat and stomach.

The shadow cloak slides out but tries to go into Nicora's mouth. "Do you wish me to show you?" Melusine asks.

Nicora eases back her shadow cloak and then nods. "Please … Mistress," the Eeee says.

It looks, at first, as if a long tendril of black spit is oozing down from Melusine's suspended head, but it's clearly a strand of shadow. It lands on Nicora's belly, and seeks out… her navel! The shadow-stuff seems to pool in the depression for a moment, and then the Eeee can feel it entering into her abdomen. It must be connecting with her intestines, as it takes a while for the shadow to snake it's way 'up' into her stomach.

Nicora sits up, her spine even arching slightly and ears splaying. "That feels … really odd," she admits as her insides squirm as the shadow makes its way through her. "I just have to … ooze my shadow through my navel. I would not have thought of that."

"I have reconnected the umbilical passage, and modified it to allow this slim penetration," Melusine notes, and then withdraws her tendril, which feels very weird.

Nicora's toes splay! "Okay, that, that," she says, squirming about as the shadow escapes her. One shadow exists with a gooey 'splort' the rest of Melusine's comment hits her. She bends over a bit, reaches down, and feels in her navel, trying to see if it does have a way to open. She doesn't press hard, just explores and eases off when it gets uncomfortable.

It doesn't seem to respond to anything so bulky as a finger, but it's enough that she can feel the connection, a deeper element beneath it. It also tweaks various other nerves across her torso for some reason.

"I can feel other … things when I poke. What else did you attach to it?" Nicora asks as she extrudes her own shadow and presses it gently into her navel.

"It has always been attached to various long nerves," Melusine notes. "Perhaps as a way to dissuade children from digging around in them."

"Mrft!" goes Nicora when she feels her own shadow slide into her navel and begin snaking around inside her. She takes a deep breath, then pulls it slowly back out. No matter how fast or slow, it just feels weird. "Thank you," she says and looks up at Melusine. "Is there any more I can do for you?"

"I will think of something for next time," Melusine says assuringly - or ominously. "I expect a souvenir from your trip to Babel."

"Anything specific … or just surprise you?" Nicora asks as she slides off Melusine, then turns around and kisses the shadowy mass gently.

"I like surprises," Melusine notes. "Receiving them, as well as inflicting them."

Nicora puts her hand on Melusine and says, "Our … relationship shows much promise. Thank you for the time today, it was an honor to entertain you." Her hand slips free and she goes to her pile of clothing and dresses. With the ease she puts on the pseudo-corset and leggings, it would be hard-pressed to ever guess she has only been a woman for a short time. The dress follows, and as she adjust sit, she says, "Now I must go see to a Lapi and ensure he is safe for Rosalind. Until next time?"

"Until then," Melusine says… while juggling skulls with various tentacles.

Nicora actually curtsies, properly lifting her gown with a delicate touch. She turns and leaves the lair. Once outside, she can't stop the full body shiver that follows. "That was terrifying beyond belief," she murmurs to herself, "I am glad I will be gone for a while. Now happier thoughts, let's go see Lilith and meet her blind Lapi friend."

It's a short flight to Lilith's townhouse, where the white Eeee seems surprised by Nicora's visit. "Oh! Nicora," Lilith says, smiling – and revealing a drop of blood on her lower lip. "I was just having some dinner. How can I help you? You sure look dressed for a night out… "

The flight was good, feeling her wings back to normal does much to ease the terror from her recent, and disturbing, ordeal. "Lilith," Nicora says, trying to smile evenly (and avoid appearing nervous). "The Countess has expressed interest in meeting your blind Lapi friend for when I am away … or well, a woman. As her consort, I … well … it is my duty to make sure that those she meets up with meet certain standard. So, ah, I have changed my mind. I would like to meet your Lapi friend and make sure he has all the right qualities… " She can't help it, behind her, her wings twitch a bit in worry.

Lilith stares at Nicora a bit, either in disbelief or to see if the woman squirms further. "Well, you'd better come in while I find his card," Lilith says cordially. "You can't get in to see him without it." She opens the door the rest of the way and gestures for Nicora to follow.

"It is just for the sake of the Countess," Nicora claims as she follows Lilith in.

"Of course," Lilith notes, nodding. There is a strange Eeee sitting in the dining nook, with two glasses of wine on the small table. He smiles and nods to Nicora, his eyes magnified by a pair of enormous reading spectacles.

Nicora curtsies politely to the other Eeee. "Forgive me for interrupting your dinner," she tells the man, "I am Nicora, a friend of Lilith's. I came to get a card of a friend of hers. I should not be here long."

"I'm Edmond," the Eeee says, in a very perky but odd manner. His manner is very… stiff. As if he's not used to dealing with people often.

"A pleasure to meet you, Edmond," Nicora says and approaches the man. She offers him her left hand, fingers limp and palm down. "It is always an honor to meet another friend of Lilith's."

The man looks at the hand, and seems about to panic. He finally reaches out, takes the fingers in his own… and shakes it up and down very slowly.

Nicora smiles slightly and bows her head. She releases her hand and asks, "Are you one who also works in her … field?"

"I am a Data Analyst," Edmond says chirpily. "Lily is having me for dinner."

"Is she?" Nicora asks and smiles, showing off her own fangs. "Does she … share?" the dark Eeee asks.

"Lily, your friend wants to know if you share!" Edmond calls out to the Eeee woman, who is rummaging through her desk. "No!" she replies. "No, she does not share," Edmond relays to Nicora.

Nicora laughs lightly. "I could not resist. I hope you can forgive me," she tells the man. she does, though, lean over and kiss his cheek lightly. When she rises, she bows her head to him again, then steps back and walks over to where Lilith is searching. If her hips roll, it isn't intentional … this time.

"Here," Lilith says, holding out a gold-embossed card. It has an address on one side, and the word Galand on the other, in fancy calligraphy style.

Nicora takes it and turns it over in her hand. "Galand? A very noble name," she observes. "How long have you known him?"

"My mother took me to him when I was a girl, for lessons," Lilith notes. Then thinks to add, "Piano lessons."

"I was about to ask," Nicora says and then taps Lilith's nose with the card. "How old is he, then? The Countess said he was blind?"

"He's… just right," Lilith claims. "And yes, he can't see."

"Is there a protocol for meeting him?" Nicora asks next as she tucks the card into the top of her dress. It turns out Nicora has learned that having a chest and clothing that supports it also doubles as a great holder for small items. "Should I bring him a gift, for example?"

"He likes things that smell pretty," Lilith suggests. "That feel interesting. He collects figurines."

"I have never done this before," Nicora says in a soft voice, "I'm not sure how to even say hello. The Countess says you trust him completely?"

"He worked with my parents," Lilith whispers back. "He used to be a spy."

"Oh. Is that how he lost his sight?" Nicora asks, her ears folding back.

"Oh no, he's been blind most of his life," Lilith says. "Glass eyes."

"Oh, I guess a Lapi, like an Eeee, can function with just their ears quite well," Nicora says as she folds her hands together. "Thank you, by the way, for not teasing me about the spa. Tara and Tora and … everything."

"Did you let Tora… well… hmm?" Lilith asks, leaning in with a grin.

"Ahem," Nicora says and looks down at the floor. "He's … gentle. It was both somehow odd-feeling and yet … felt right … at the same time."

"Mmm-hmm," Lilith notes. "Also, Galand doesn't like being bit, so… be sure to eat before you visit him."

"That is good to know," Nicora admits and starts flexing her right hand. "I'll also keep my shadow in check. I am not sure he would appreciate it."

"I don't see why you'd need to use it," Lilith says. "You're just interviewing him, after all. For Rose. And probably Phlagaea. Although, really, Snow is already used to rabbit fur… "

"You amaze me, Lilith," Nicora whispers, "Your friend changed gender and has embraced being a woman … and you haven't even blinked. None of this bothers you?"

"Well, it's easier since we never slept together," the girl admits. "But it's also a lot of fun! It's like having a little sister… with an expense account."

"Little sister? Does that mean you want me to stay this way?" Nicora asks in whisper.

"Oh, you're fun the other way too," Lilith says. "And your butt's cuter that way. It doesn't try to lick me."

"Does that mean I … still have a chance?" Nicora asks and even waggles her brow in a very Alptraum way.

"You'd better get going before it gets too late," Lilith says with a big grin. "My dinner is getting bored. He's folding the napkin into animal shapes… "

"I'm not even sure if Melusine will change me back," Nicora admits, "One more question before I go?"

"Okay, one more," Lilith relents.

"How much time should I expect to spend interviewing Galand? Should I plan to stay the night?" Nicora asks, "I need to know, to know what I should bring with me."

"I… have no idea," Lilith admits, blinking. "You could always visit in the morning instead… "

"I'll plan for the night," Nicora notes. "Thank you, Lilith. You will keep all this private, I hope? If Arkold knew I was … enjoying men I would never hear the end of it. For that matter, if Hexen knew … no, I don't even want to think about that."

"Well, I guess hooking up with your boyhood chum for a romp is out of the question then?" Lilith says with a giggle.

"Depends on if I want to give him nightmares for the rest of his life," Nicora replies and even winks. "Goodnight, Lilith. And … thank you for helping me cope."

"Oh, anytime!" Lilith says cheerfully, while ushering Nicora to the door. "As long as I don't have to clean up afterwards, hah!"

Nicora steps outside without any fuss and folds her wings around herself as the door closes and Lilith disappears. "One that got away," she says, "But is that so bad? She's still a dear friend and has stood by you through … a life changing event. Will I ever be normal again?" The Eeee looks towards the overcast sky, silent for a time. "Do I really want to be normal again?" she asks herself, "Who else gets such experiences? Even Melusine, with her odd tastes, hasn't hurt me. I made a friend in Tora; he was so soft, gentle, and … eager." She shakes her head, spreads her wings, then takes to the air, "Well, right now I want dinner, and after that … I … want Galand; or at least another Lapi. I need to quit fighting this body so much and just … go with it. It's me now and I need to accept it. It's not like I still have six arms… I'm a normal female Eeee … with a tail. Normal."