Once again, Alptraum is awakened by something tickling his nose, and the chant of, "Wakey, wakey, sleepyhead," from Lilith.

Alptraum's eye creeks open. "Must you do that?" he complains at the tickling of his nose. His hand swipes lazily at whatever it is.

It's a white feather, of course. One of Tulani's. Lilith must have kept it from the day before. "But it's so effective!" the Eeee croons. "And you have an early morning appointment with a wizard."

Alptraum sits up. "A wizard? I was hoping to see the Countess again. After all, she had to go tend to duties yesterday and I barely got a chance to speak with her after the interview with … the blob," he complains before sliding out of bed. As he gets dressed … there's a lot of grumbling.

"Oh, you'll see her again today," Lilith promises. "The Countess, that is. And really, the 'blob'? That isn't very respectful. I'm sure dragons can smell disrespect or something."

"It's descriptive, though. Maybe she was just in a bad mood and we'll get along better next time," Alptraum concedes. There's, once again, a struggle with getting his shirt on thanks to the barbs on his right hand, but he manages it. "So, what's this about an appointment with a wizard?"

"You wanted to be examined, remember?" Lilith reminds Alptraum. "To see if the effects of the hand were spreading, and so on. Our best wizard of life-and-magic interactions is the esteemed Frogmilker. Such a wizard has a busy schedule, and so this time before breakfast was all that was available."

"Ah, right, I did. Given what the Shadow Dragon alluded to about changes beneath the skin and all, it's probably best to get it checked out," Alptraum agrees, remembering his earlier request. Stifling a yawn, he says, "I think I'm ready … er, no." There's a flurry of him combing his long hair into some semblance of order before he says, "Okay, now I'm ready."

"Well, come on then," Lilith says, leading the way. "You aren't much of a morning person, are you? Or were you still nervous after meeting the dragon yesterday?"

"Meeting the dragon wore me out more than I expected," Alptraum admits as he follows after Lilith, his wings settling against his back and the joint claws, hooking around his neck lightly. "I wasn't sure what to expect, nor how I should act. Or, well … it was just scary, really. ," he adds, his chitinous claws clicking together a bit from the memories. And … she's now my mentor, so to speak, on a few things … so I expect I'll be spending a lot of time with her at some point. That's stressful!"

"You'd think Mave would have taught you how to relax," Lilith says as she leads Alptraum through empty halls and down stairways. Nobody else seems to be awake yet. Eventually they reach the deep basement, where the rooms for 'experimental' and high magic are kept.

Ritual Chamber
Deep below Castle Draco, this stone chamber is used for major rituals and also for training and experimentation. It is hemispherical in shape, with the curve of the ceiling starting at just three feet about the floor and ending at the apex some twelve feet up, where a filtered rainbow crystal is set to provide light.

One of Draco's wizards is waiting in the chamber, dressed in the obscuring robes and hood that only reveals the tip of the nose, at best. It might be a Skeek or a Skreek, although a glimpse of a tail-tip looks furry.

"You can't exactly do that around powerful people!" Alptraum whispers to Lilith as they enter the deep basement. "So … this wizard. Given the name … I won't have to drink anything disgusting, will I?" he whispers to Lilith and glances towards the strange Skeek. Then straightening up, he waves to the wizard, saying, "Good morning."

Lilith just shrugs. "Wizards are mysterious," she whispers to Alptraum, and then bows to the wizard. "Good morning, Honorable Wizard Frogmilker. I have brought you Alptraum bar Reisender for examination," she says next.

At the sound of Alptraum's voice, the wizard turns to face both him and Lilith, hands clasped at the front of the concealing robes. They get the feeling of being pierced with a gaze that comes from somewhere underneath that hood. "So, you are the one who rousted me out of bed at this forsaken hour?" a husky voice complains, somewhat peevishly. Then, in a much gentler tone, the wizard goes on. "Yes, yes, it is so difficult to get oneself moving at such a time, is it not?"

"It is a bit early, but Lilith said this was the only time you had free," Alptraum tries to explain … coming out rather lamely, really. "I appreciate you taking the time to relieve me of some of my concerns about my physical stability," he adds and lifts up his chitinous, almost insect like (or draconic), plated right hand and half of his forearm. "I also hope it will prove at least helpful or interesting to you as well."

The wizard nods a quick greeting to Lilith while listening to Alptraum's explanation. When he holds up his arm, however, the figure starts a bit, then waves the Eeee closer. "You will not mind if I examine you more closely?" the husky voice says gently, only to follow this up with, "Of course you won't, no indeed! You need my help, isn't that true?"

"I need help in more ways than could be explained," Alptraum whispers to himself. To the Skeek, though, he nods and moves closer. When in range, he offers his right hand to the creature, palm down so that it can see the affected part. "It hasn't spread any further than mid-forearm on me, thankfully."

Very strong-looking, calloused hands reach for the Eeee's forearm and begin probing it first with practiced fingers. However odd this wizard might seem, it also appears as if the creature is competent in its art. As the Frogmilker works, another question is put to Alptraum. "Tell me exactly how your arm was transformed? I know the bare details, but I need your version of events. It may help me to tell you more of your condition."

"Well, in three stages, actually. The first was in infection of a Black Heart. It tried to turn me into a zombie, but that was cut free. The second stage was the Shadow of Amena striking back again, and changes the flesh into a reptilian amalgamation made from the blood of a steel dragon. The third … happened after the Shadow of Amena and I became one. It gifted me its power and abilities. I was able to shift my hand back to normal … but then this covering grew over it. I haven't' tried to remove it or alter it since. It doesn't seem like it's too harmful, outside of its desire to retain a charge, which requires allowing it to consume an animal if it goes empty," Alptraum tries to explain. "I imagine the start of it all was the black heart. It was a nasty infection."

The fingers suddenly cease their probing and Alptraum gets the feeling again of being run through by the wizard's gaze. After a few moments, incredibly enough, a chuckle comes from underneath its hood. "You are quite right, young man – this may well be my most interesting examination of the day." There is another pause while the Frogmilker pulls an instrument from one of the pouches hanging from its belt. "Prepare yourself," the voice says sharply, just before jabbing a thin-bladed, almost awl-like scalpel into one of the thicker chitinous plates on the Eeee's wrist!

The cursing that comes from the Eeee is rather creative, but thankfully brief, when his arm lights up with pain from the awl sinking into the plate. He actually has to grab his own elbow with his left hand to keep from jerking his hand back. "Dagh," Alptraum hisses painfully, "Was that necessary?" He looks down to his slightly shaking hand to the point the blade has sunken in. He certainly expects bleeding to start soon, if it hasn't already.

Sure enough, a few drops of blood seep up through the chitin, but not enough to indicate a deep cut. The chitin is still thick enough that the scalpel didn't penetrate far through the skin beneath.

Alptraum runs a claw along, picking up one of the droplets and holding it up for closer inspection. He assumes it's normal blood … but always worth checking.

The blood… smells slightly off.

Alptraum's brow arches slightly at the odd scent. So … he tastes it next.

It's very bitter, tempting the Eeee to spit it out.

"Pteh," goes Alptraum and he promptly starts wiping at his tongue with his free hand.

"What's wrong?" Lilith asks, coming up behind Alptraum now.

Alptraum takes another droplet onto his claw and holds it to Lilith. "Taste this," he notes, "Something is wrong with my blood."

Lilith's tongue flicks out to taste the droplet, and then her face screws up with distaste. "Ewww… it's like when I had to lick Vorgulremik's wounds… "

The Frogmilker clucks its tongue reprovingly at the Eeee. "For one who has survived such a horror as a Black Heart, you seem incredibly sensitive to pain," is its sardonic remark. Then again, the husky voice assumes a gentler tone and continues, "I made such an experiment to see if your arm's covering had nerves of its own running through the material, or if it was completely numb to any sensation. Not only does it feel everything, it seems to have its own… odd blood supply, as you have just tasted for yourself."

"Guh, you had to do that? And his blood tasted like this?" Alptraum says, looking rather ill to be compared to that dragon. "Can you do something for me? Nip my fingertip of my left hand here and tell me if it tastes the same? I'm wondering if the oddness is localized or not." He dutifully holds out his left hand to her. To the wizard, he notes, "Well, I don't normally feel anything through it. I certainly felt that though."

"Should I bite him somewhere else to see if his blood tastes normal?" Lilith asks the Wizard for confirmation.

The wizard waves a noncommittal hand at Lilith. "As you wish. I admit, I would also like to know if there is any difference in the blood samples. Just be brief about it."

Lilith nods, and takes Alptraum's offered hand. She pauses though. She hasn't seen Alptraum wash that hand in a while, so she pushes up the sleeve of his shirt and bites down on his thicker forearm instead. It doesn't hurt that much after the initial bite. Even feels nice after a few moments.

"Ow," Alptraum says. But at least this time he doesn't curse about it. To the wizard, he notes, "See? She was nicer about wounding me, at least."

Shortly after, Lilith releases Alptraum's arm and licks her lips clean, before saying, "Oops. Sorry if I went a bit far there, Alptraum, but I haven't had breakfast yet. Oh, and it tastes normal for a male Eeee. Pretty tasty, so high in stress hormones."

Again, the Eeee hears that chuckle come from underneath the creature's hood. "The Countess does not employ me to be nice, young man. Only to successfully accomplish whatever tasks she requires of me."

Alptraum flexes his left hand a bit. "And I wonder why I'm stressed," he notes to the other Eeee. "Good to know I don't taste nasty all over, I suppose. I guess that means it isn't spreading."

"And oh, Lilith?" Alptraum asks, eyes flicking to the white Eeee.

"Yes?" Lilith replies, smiling politely.

"You do realize this means I get to bite you later, yes?" Alptraum says, lips curling in a devious grin. His brow waggles.

"That depends on how our date goes," Lilith teases.

"Hey, I let you bite me," Alptraum says, sounding hurt.

"You asked me to though," Lilith points out.

"Details!" Alptraum counters, grinning.

The two Eeee can almost feel the wizard's stare burning into them. "As much fun as this suggestive banter must be for you, I have other things to attend to this day. So in order to supply Alptraum with some more concrete information, I will need to collect a small sample of the blood that comes from the affected part of his arm. Yes, this does mean I will have to poke you again," the Frogmilker says gently, as if trying to soften the blow, "but I do feel it necessary. I will even attempt to be more… delicate… about this second procedure."

"Er, all right. Sorry," Alptraum apologizes to the demented wizard. "Thanks for the warning."

The robed figure carefully stows away its scalpel and now pulls out several other instruments from its pouches – a long needle that seems to be attached to a hollow glass tube, which is about as thick around as Traum's forefinger, and a small glass vial with a stopper on it, that has a small hole in the middle of the stopper. As the creature rolls up its sleeves partway, showing brown-furred, sinewy forearms, it tells Alptraum, "Give me your arm, palm facing toward the ceiling. I will attempt to gather your blood first as if I had a vein to work with. Should that fail, I will have to resort to a slightly more painful procedure. I feel it only fair to warn you about this now."

Alptraum flips his hand over, exposing the normal looking underside, though theer is the start of a stubble of black fuzz on the underside where the fur is finally starting to grow back. "I hope you don't have to do the more painful one," the Eeee admits, "But thank you for the warning, at least."

The wizard nods to this and takes one last item from another pouch – a long strip of canvas cloth. This the creature binds securely around Traum's upper arm, halfway between his elbow and shoulder. Then the stoppered vial is affixed to the tube-and-needle contraption via the hole in the vial's stopper, forming a blood collection unit. Again, the Frogmilker probes the Eee's arm with practiced ease. "Hmmm, if there was a larger vein in this mass, it would be… here," the creature mutters, then carefully inserts the free end of the needle into a spot on Traum's forearm.

The dark blood begins to fill the vial.

Alptraum grits his teeth and hisses when the needle sinks in. "Ow," he eventually says when the initial surge of pain is over. His brow arches a bit when the blood flows in, the color definitely darker than normal.

"Well, that looks nasty," Alptraum can't help but comment.

As the blood flows more and more smoothly, the wizard quickly unwraps the cloth from Traum's upper arm and fishes a small, clean wad of cotton batting out of a pocket in its robes. Then, when the vial is filled to its limit, the Frogmilker removes the needle from Traum's arm and presses the cotton batting over the tiny wound. "Hold this to your arm until the bleeding stops."

Alptraum clasps his fingers over the batting. "All right. Since it bled that way from the underside, I'm guessing the change is throughout my forearm and isn't limited to just the chitin on the back," he notes, looking a bit disturbed by this. He looks down at his arm and the batting … then inwardly tries something as an experiment. He tries to nudge the puncture to heal itself by visualising a small bit of the energy contained within the glove apply itself to the wound. He only nudges lightly, though; he's not about to try to force anything.

There's a tickle… but it's difficult to tell if the magic stopped the bleeding or if the tiny puncture just clotted on it's own.

Alptraum eases the cotton off so he can check the skin and wound beneath.

There's no sign of the puncture – but then, it would be hard to spot against black skin anyway.

Alptraum shrugs slightly. "I really need to just sit down and practice some. I need to get used to what to feel for," he mutters to Lilith. "I want to get a handle on this."

"I want to get a handle on breakfast," Lilith notes. "That bite got my appetite going. Think your friend Tulani would mind being nibbled on a bit? She's big and strong, after all."

"Heh, she probably would. We could go get breakfast together after this," Alptraum offers, "Or am I expected elsewhere?"

"Not expected anywhere at this time of day, no," Lilith notes.

While all this is going on, the creature is removing the needle from the vial and wrapping it in a clean cloth before stowing it back into its pouches again, along with the long strip of canvas. The vial itself, however, the wizard holds up to the light and swirls the blood inside around a bit, almost as if lost in thought.

"If it's not dragon's blood, I bet it's possessed blood," Lilith says, noting the vial.

"Well, then we'll get breakfast," Alptraum tells Lilith and taps her nose with one of the chitinous claws. "Unless, of course, you would prefer to be alone." His brow arches a bit at her comment, asking, "Possessed? I guess, then, my state with the Shadow could be considered possessed?"

"Well, you possess the Shadow, after all," Lilith points out. "Maybe you should do your power-suck thing on a hog, and then have the blood tested again after that."

"Uh, sure, I could try that," Alptraum agrees and scratches at the back of his neck thoughtfully.

"We shall see," the wizard says finally, as if answering Lilith's suggestion about possessed blood. "It will take some little time to examine your blood, young man, but I will find out as much as I can for you. I can only hope that it will prove to be instructive for the both of us."

"Well, I am sure we will learn more than I know right now, and that's all that I ask. I can at least say I'm getting used to my new right hand. As odd as it is, it's not uncomfortable," Alptraum says with a polite nod to the Skeek. "Thank you again."

Lilith bows as well, saying, "Thank you for your time and expertise, High Wizard Frogmilker."

"And oh, Lilith, I need to find a good glove for my hand. Think you can help me with that?" Alptraum asks the Eeee in whisper.

"You are both welcome," the Frogmilker says softly, then in a harsher voice adds, "You may go. I will send for you when I have news."

"I look forward to hearing from you," Alptraum says with a short bow to the Skeek.

"Oh, certainly," Lilith replies in a whisper. "We've got very good leather workers in town. A wrap-around glove with buckles could work nicely.

The white-furred Eeee takes Alptraum's left hand and starts to lead him out of the room.

"Perfect," Alptraum whispers to Lilith. He then lets himself be lead away by his left hand. "Strange one, that wizard," he notes to the Eeee when hopefully out of range.

As the two Eeee leave, they catch just a glimpse of the Frogmilker shaking its hooded head slowly, then putting the vial carefully into a pocket of its robes.

---

Back at the suite, the breakfast cart has already been rolled in. A just-woken Tulani is there, looking over the selection of meets, cereals, fruits and baked goodies. A groggy Phlagaea is doing her best to deal with an unfamiliar pancake, and Mave (who of course looks fresh and clean) is making herself a fruit plate. A covered bowl is most likely the vampire course.

"You're all up bright and early," Alptraum comments as he enters with Lilith, "But, you all look as beautiful as ever, of course. Shining like the sun on the morning dew!"

Holding a plate in one hand, the Sylvanian Sphynx begins serving herself portions of bacon and toast, along with some fruit for herself. Spotting the two newly entering Eeee, Tulani gives them a bright smile, "Good morning Alptraum, Lilith!"

"Good morning, Tulani," Lilith says, and then oddly licks her lips. "Sleep well?"

Alptraum releases Lilith's hand and goes over to greet Mave and Phlagaea. "How are my two favorite Yodh this morning?" he asks them with a smile. "Both sleep well, I hope?"

"What were you doing out so early, Alptraum?" Phlagaea asks, after finally wrapping her pancake around a sausage. "I wonder if they ever serve bugs here."

Mave smiles brightly to Alptraum, before licking a plum in a way that only a Yodhinala can. "I always sleep well, Alptraum," she notes.

"Certainly, better than I have in a while, and yourself." The Sphynx replies to Lilith before stacking some bacon on her toast and taking a large bite.

"Oh, I had an appointment with one of Draco's wizards for an exam on the condition of my right hand. We learned … well, not much, other than what I bleed from there tastes terrible," he tells the green Eeee. His brow arches to Mave and he notes, "Well, you certainly seem on a good mood this morning. That's great. You were unhappy for quite a while, there."

"Oh, I'm a light sleeper, you know," Lilith says, lifting the top on the covered bowl. "Cinnamon swirl blood porridge, my favorite!"

"Those who follow Inala are never unhappy, Alptraum," Mave notes. "I'm sure you were just misinterpreting my mood… "

"Lilith has been assigned to keep an eye on me," Alptraum calls out to Tulani. He gives Mave an odd look, but decides it's not worth arguing the point. "Anyway, I intend to get some practice on working with the Shadow's power a bit today, if anyone is interested in observing."

Tulani wrinkles her nose slightly at the thought of cinnamon and blood, but shrugs internally, to each their own tastes of course.

Alptraum also goes over to get himself some breakfast. It' is likely going to be a long day.

"What are you going to practice?" Phlagaea asks, after taking a bite of her pig-in-a-blanket and being pleasantly surprised by the taste.

The Sphynx gives Alptraum a warm pat on the shoulder when he passes by. "Oh Lilith, I've been meaning to talk to you. The countess offered me a … position like yours, and I was wondering what you'd think of the idea?" Tulani turns to ask the Eeee.

"I don't suppose you'd let me bite you sometime, Tulani?" Lilith quietly asks the Sphynx. "I've never tasted a hybrid like you before, and there are no Vartans in Draco County that I know of… "

In her normal voice, Lilith says, "Oh, I think you'd be well suited to the job. You can move around a lot more freely than I could outside of Sylvania, after all. And you get to meet interesting people, and sometimes kill them."

Similar to what I practiced in other cases. I'm going to see if I can just draw out some of the energy contained in the glove and hold it in my hand, then draw it back in. Basically, just getting used to what the shadow's power feels like when it is used," Alptraum explains as he gets some of the blood porridge into a bowl. After fetching a spoon, he finds a place to sit and settles down.

Tulani blinks, a small piece of toast hanging out of her mouth as she looks quite… surprised at Liliths request, blinking again he composes herself and chews up the last of her toast. "Ah, well, I'm not sure Lilith. Do people really taste all that different?" The Sphynx replies, looking a little disbelieveing as to the idea… blood was just blood after all wasnt it?

Alptraum digs into his porridge. With the way his brow bounces around and ears flick … it's obvious he hasn't had things like this very often before. It doesn't seem displeasing, though!

"Oh, blood varies by age, sex, race and diet," Lilith says, brightly. "It's why vampires need to avoid feeding on a single source, otherwise we won't get all of our needed nutrients."

"Plus, you can get drunk by feeding on someone who has been drinking," Alptraum pipes up.

"Really?" Tulani comments back to Lilith, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm, I didn't know that. I suppose I've never really thought about it before, but it makes sense." she then chuckles at Alptraum's comment, looking thoughtful.

"And then they won't get a hangover," Lilith adds. "Too bad I wasn't here when Alptraum overdid it the other night. Maybe then he would have remembered what happened."

"Bah, must you go on about that? I rarely drink!" Alptraum grumbles.

Lilith takes out her Tulani-feather and waggles it suggestively.

Tulani coughs into her hand to cover a snicker when Lilith holds up one of her feathers… before busying herself looking innocent.

"And I know nothing happened. So, nyeh!" Alptraum retorts. "And! I can prove it," he adds, smirking.

"You know you shouldn't tease poor Alptraum," Phlagaea says. "And how can you prove it?" she asks Alptraum.

"Easy. Mave, was there an outpouring or worshiping of Inala two nights ago?" Alptraum asks the Yodhinala.

Mave just blinks at this. "Yes, in Arkold and Ravenia's room. I was there. I cannot say if it occurred elsewhere, however."

"But, I imagine you would have felt it," Alptraum notes, "So, ergo, nothing happened."

"Why do you imagine I would have felt it?" Mave asks, while sucking on her plumb.

Tulani stretches her wings and leans back in her seat, still smiling in an 'innocent' manner while looking between Alptraum and Mave.

"You're sensitive to such things, of course," Alptraum answers simply, then resumes eating.

"Men are silly," Lilith says, and just asks Tulani, "Did you set him up with the feathers? I was told the dragon was there too."

"I'm not silly, I'm a terrible, evil, monster," Alptraum comments between mouthfuls of porridge. Never mind he's drawn a smiley face in the contents of his bowl.

Lilith takes her own bowl and sits next to Tulani. "So, anything you'd like to know about being an Intelligence Operative At Large?" she asks the Sphynx.

Turning to Lilith the Sphynx comments with a grin, "Well, maybe I did set him up with the feathers I don't usually shed them that fast." she wiggles one of her ears playfully before continuing, "Hmm… I'm not sure, could you give me a rundown of the type of information your expected to bring back?"

"So, do either if you want to observe the practice?" Alptraum asks the two Yodh. "If not, I certainly understand. Later, Lilith and I are going to try and find a good glove for my hand. I can't walk around like this all the time, people will be … well, it's rather spooky."

"Well, for the most part you bring back anything that might seem interesting or important, along with general news. Know how well your neighbor's crops are doing is useful stuff," Lilith says. "And sometimes you go into more active snooping around, like infiltrating a dragon's castle – but you probably won't be asked to do that any time soon. Although, really, you're pretty well qualified for it."

"I will observe," Mave tells Alptraum, and then Phlagaea nods that's she'll come too.

"All right. Well, if its boring, I'm certain there are interesting shops in the city you could visit. Phlagaea needs to work out her uniform, after all," Alptraum notes and waggles his spoon at the green Eeee.

"Well, thank you for the vote of confidence Lilith." Tulani replies to the Eeee with a small smile, feeling rather complimented, "Are there certain people you report to? or do you simply report directly to the countess?" she continues.

"I report to the Minister of Security," Lilith notes. "Mostly, you send your observations and notice of where you're heading next to a mail drop. When you get where you're going, if there's time, someone contacts you there with any instructions and tells you who to give your next report to."

"Ah, that makes sense." Tulani murmurs slowly, rubbing her chin, "I'd assume it varies depending on the situation, but on average how often do you turn in reports?"

"And you don't send in reports on your friends!" Alptraum reminds Tulani.

The Sphynx smiles at Alptraum, "Really? but I'm sure Lilith has made reports on you before." she quips back to the Eeee.

"She better not have!" Alptraum retorts with a grin.

"Well, whenever you meet an agent," Lilith notes. "Not all reports are written down, for security reasons, and sometimes the contact will take it orally and may ask specific questions. Outside of Sylvania, you'll mostly be telling them what you've seen instead of trying to use mail, unless you've found a map or something like that. The contacts will be Yodhbarada."

"Alright, well, I cant think of anything else to ask at the moment. You wouldn't have anything you want to ask me would you?" Tulani says, tilting her head slightly.

Lilith thinks, then asks, "Have you ever tried to seduce someone to get information? If not, I can arrange to have you taught. Not all men are as easy as Alptraum here."

"I am not easy," Alptraum comments, frowning.

"Ah, no, I've never really tried anything like that except in teasing." Tulani replies to Lilith before turning to Alptraum with a grin, "Oh you know you are, Alptraum."

"Well, it doesn't come up all that often anyway," Lilith notes. "It may not be right for you, given your character. I'm sure you can get information out of other sailors easily enough already though."

"I am not," Alptraum reiterates and wags his spoon at her, "You are mistaking being playful with being easy. I have not, and will not, sleep with anyone."

"I didn't say that, Alptraum," Lilith says with a smirk. "I said you were easily seduced. That's not the same as getting you to have sex."

"But you know you like the attention at least." Tulani replies with a smile, "But fine, fine. You're not easy then, alright?" The Sphynx then Turns to Lilith again, "Oh, offer some sailors a drink and they'll become your best friend and want to tell you their life's story." she comments lightly.

"I'm a gypsy; an entertainer. Of course I like attention," Alptraum agrees, then just shrugs. "And I'm not sure how you know, Lilith, given you've never tried to seduce me," he points out.

"Well, you did spill your whole life story to me the first night we met, in my bedroom," Lilith notes.

Tulani says, " She's got you there Alptraum."

"That was extending trust," Alptraum notes with a small shrug. "Given we had a common foe, I wanted you to trust me. I was trying to force an alliance." He waves his spoon, then adds, "But, believe what you want." He goes back to eating.

"So, my wearing two filmy scarves had nothing to do with it?" Lilith asks. "Or my being a vampire. Or that dance I did with Ravenia?"

The Sphynx can't help but chuckle and shake her head at the conversation, but refrains from commenting any further.

"It was interesting, sure. But it isn't why I told you everything," Alptraum says simply. "I had the impression you didn't want to be there and wanted your trust enough that you would tell us exactly what was going on. Truth for truth."

"Are you trying to challenge me into seducing you?" Lilith asks Alptraum, her eyes narrowed a bit.

Alptraum shakes his head. "No," he says as he stands. The Eeee returns his bowl to the serving tray. "I honestly just thought you thought better of me," he notes, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get a bath."

"You're no fun to tease, Alptraum," Lilith pouts.

"It didn't sound like teasing," Alptraum points out with a small shrug.

"It's always teasing, Alptraum," Lilith says. "Otherwise we wouldn't say it in front of you!"

Tulani sighs and sets down her own plate after finishing off the rest of her food, rubbing one of her temples. "I'm sorry if I've helped to upset you Alptraum." she says honestly.

Alptraum shrugs again. "You two were having a rather serious conversation about your duties in your new job. It's hard to take from that, that one part of it was teasing, while the rest was serious, you know," the Eeee comments. "It sort of made me feel like you saw me as some fool who is just lead around easily; that I don't think about what I'm doing or getting myself into. Flash a smile and Alptraum will do it. Doesn't exactly make me feel good about what I've gone through for others."

"We're sorry, Alptraum," Lilith apologizes. "We just want to lighten you up a little."

Tulani sighs and stands up from her seat, walking over to place a hand lightly on Alptraum's shoulder, saying quietly, "As I've told you before Alptraum, I think you're awonderful and caring person with strong convictions. I know you do your best to help, and I know it takes alot from you. With everything thats gone on recently it must be hard to relax, so I'll try no to tease you, alright?"

Again, the Eeee shrugs, notes, "Teasing is fine when its obvious that is what it is. I just got back from some crazy wizard who shoved a knife into my arm. I'm not exactly in the most joking mood."

"A little banter is good for getting you out of those moods though, isn't it?" Lilith asks. "And if not, what does work to lift you mood?"

"Well, again I'm sorry Alptraum." Tulani says with a sigh, "Is there anything we can do to help then?" she asks after Lilith.

"I wasn't in a horrible mood before; I didn't think I needed any cheering up," Alptraum points out, "I just wasn't bouncy after being played for a pincushion."

"Do you want a shoulder-rub while you take your bath then?" Lilith offers, causing Phlagaea to raise her eyebrows just slightly.

Tulani brings her hands up in front of herself, replying to Alptraum, "Okay, well, if theres nothing I can do, I'm going to go." she says and heads for the door, turning briefly back to Lilith, "If you want a… bite sometime Lilith, I think it would be okay. Just don't make me dizzy okay?" The Sphynx says, with a small frown, looking a little dubious.

"Nah. You and Tulani are discussing your mutual professions," Alptraum says and waves his hand slightly. "And oh, who's the leather smith you mentioned earlier? I'll look them up later."

Alptraum then marches over and takes Tulani, then tries to pull her back towards Lilith, noting, "No, no, don't leave on my account, you two were talking and having fun."

"We could both rub your shoulders then, and still talk," Lilith suggests. "And I don't actually know the name of the leather crafters in town… I was just going to bring you one."

Tulani makes a small, cattish noise and stumbles slightly as Alptraum starts pulling her back into the room, tilting her wings for balance. With a sigh she follows the dark Eeee, "Alright." Looking over at Lilith with a raised brow the Sphynx comments seriously, "I wouldn't mind helping give you a shoulder rub Alptraum, and I think you might need it?"

"It's not necessary, really," Alptraum says, "I've lived through a lot worse and slept in a lot worse. Once I've even bathed in a hotel run by zombies." He rubs over his eyes for a moment, then asks in all seriousness, "You two actually think I'm too tense?"

"Well, you could be a bit more relaxed," Lilith notes. "You've been wound up ever since I got back."

"Yes!" Tulani immediately answers Alptraum, trying to direct him now, to a chair.

"So sit down and humor us," Lilith asks. "Tulani can do your shoulders, and I'll do your feet!"

Phlagaea says, "Dibs on his chest!"

"Well, you didn't have your life on the line and have to justify yourself to something extremely powerful," Alptraum reminds Lilith as he's forced over to sit in a chair. "Hey wait a minute… "

"I'll do my part when he's in the tub later," Mave offers.

The Sphynx immediately takes up position behind Alptraum as he sits, saying quietly, "Just tell me if I need to change pressure." And with that she begins gently, but firmly rubbing the Eeee's shoulders, moving inwards towards his neck.

Lilith kneels down at Alptraum's feet, and starts working on the flexible toes. Phlagaea doesn't jump into Alptraum's lap, but does sort of hover to the side in case she's needed.

Smirking slightly, Alptraum comments, "I noticed no one wants to touch my hands." Still, he seems more perplexed by the sudden group concern than anything. Thinking of something that might interest Phlagaea, though, he offers the plated hand to her and says, "Would you be interested in inspecting the puncture wound? I … apparently bleed differently in that arm."

Phlagaea turns the hand over, and then back, and then has to ask, "Where was it, exactly?"

"Should be a spot in the chitin right behind the wrist. It hurt like Dagh," Alptraum says and glances over at the back of his hand.

Tulani starts working her way down Alptraum's back and shoulders, even gently massaging around the connecting joints of his wings. "Do you want your hands massaged?" the Sphynx asks the Eeee curiously, but in a way that suggests she would if he really wanted her to.

"No, I was joking, actually. I know my right hand is rather ugly," Alptraum comments and glances back briefly. For as weak as Eeee are often rumored to be, the back and wing muscles are like trying to knead a rock. The toes aren't much softer, given how the Eeee can hang by their feet. "And Lilith, I didn't know Draco county employed the Yodhbarada."

Phlagaea eventually finds a bit of dried blood, and actually chants a little prayer before kissing the boo-boo, which actually does make if feel better.

"Ew. Gah, how can you stand the taste of that?" Alptraum has to ask Phlagaea.

"We have a deal with them," Lilith explains as she works the joints of Alptraum's feet. "They provide the network of contacts and get the information to us, but in return they get to keep the information for themselves as well."

The Sphynx does her best, knowing from experience that the muscles of the back and wing take a lot of strain in flyers and retain a lot of stress and tenseness, so increases the pressure of her motions, carefully shifting the joints of the Eeee's wings saying, "Well, if you want me too, I will massage your hands for you, I just don't know if it would do any good for your right hand."

"That's a dangerous agreement," Alptraum comments, "I've known a few of them. Well, knew. They were all killed when Babel was attacked." His head leans back so he can look to Tulani, saying, "Well, you really don't have to, but you are welcome to examine the hand if you want. It should be safe enough."

Tulani smiles slightly as Alptraum looks back at her, still kneading away at his back, saying, "Okay then. And are there any particular spots you'd like me to work on back here?"

"Hm. Nothing particularly hurts," Alptraum notes after a bit of thought. "Probably just the wing joints and muscles are the best points to worry about. Though, you don't have to do anything. I feel odd being, well, looked after by all of you. Well, except for Mave, who is enjoying her breakfast still."

"I'll get you later," Mave says.

"That sounds ominous," Alptraum notes to Mave.

Tulani smiles and continues kneading the Eeee's back, focusing on the mentioned spots and looking for knots and tense spots, saying chidingly, still smiling, "Well we do care for you Alptraum. You did know that right?"

"You won't mind," Mave says, smiling.

"Just what are you planning?" Alptraum has to ask, though expecting no real answer. To Tulani, he says, "Oh, I know. You put up with me, that's proof enough of that." He grins.

"We put up with Arkold," Lilith points out. "You're much more refreshing."

And just to mess with Lilith, while she's trying to massage Alptraum's toes, he's … well, grabbing her hands with his feet.

Phlagaea tries to massage the chitin-armored hand anyway, at least where it ends midway up the forearm.

"Hey!" Lilith says, laughing. "I guess you don't need to sleep upside-down more after all."

The Sphynx snickers softly and nods, nosing one of Alptraum's ears briefly saying, "Oh yes, your much more well behaved than Arkold."

Alptraum's plated fingers wiggle and flex a bit as Phlagaea works on his hand. The Eeee's eyes close and he tries to focus on how that hand and where she works, feels. "Let me know if you find anything odd," he notes to the green Eeee, "We're keeping an eye on that limb." His response to Lilith … is to just squeeze her hands with his feet, then finally let go.

"I'll be on the lookout," Phlagaea says, and curls Alptraum's fingers so she can look into where the chitin overlaps, in case there's any gunk building up.

Alptraum curls wrist too, since there is a segment there as well. "So, have you heard when your first assignment begins, Tulani?" Alptraum asks the sphynx.

Tulani pauses working on Alptraum's wings for a moment to rub up the back of the Eeee's neck, "Ah. No I havent Alptraum. I wasn't even sure if it has been confirmed yet. I do intend to go visit my parents before any other 'adventures' so hopefully it will be something in that direction." she replies.

"Where do your parents live, anyway?" Alptraum inquires.

"Wotan's Pass, Near Chronotopia." Tulani replys quietly, "They live in the area of the mountains."

"Wow, that far," Alptraum comments, sounding a bit surprised by that. One of his eyes creep open so he can see how Phlagaea is doing. "I still need to look into the gypsy caravans in Draco county to see if any are the ones my adoptive parents belong to."

"They look clean so far," Phlagaea says when Alptraum glances at her.

"Can you even see much between them?" Alptraum has to ask, "I'm not even sure what my skin might look like under that anymore. "Do you think it'll be, uh, a hygiene issue? I hadn't even considered that yet."

"Just keep them clean when you wash, and you shouldn't get any fungus," the Yodhgorphat notes.

Alptraum frowns. "Fungus? Is that possible?"

"Well, I've traveled around a bit as an airship scout of course. I can speak Bosch also if you'd like to learn some of it… that is if you don't know it already." Tulani says with a small smile, trying to ignore the conversation about 'fungi'.

"Bosch is not one of the many languages I've picked up," Alptraum notes aith a small shrug. "I know silent sign and Khattan, though. They've been pretty useful."

"It can infect chitin armor if it's in a damp environment," Phlagaea notes. "So wash between your knuckles and under the edges when you can."

"That's good to know. I really hadn't thought of that," Alptraum says as he makes a face. "If I thought my hand itched now … which it does since the hair is growing back … gah, that would be even worse."

"It itches?" Lilith asks, looking up from Alptraum's feet.

"Ah well, it was just a suggestion." Tulani notes about the idea of teaching the Eeee Bosch before commenting soothingly, "If you just clean between the plates periodically it should be fine, like Phlagaea says."

"A little, yes. Really short hair tends to when it grows back in. How I know this, well … I had an old gypsy friend who was fond of practical jokes… " Alptraum comments and goes to absently scratch at the underside of his right hand now that he's thinking about it itching.

"I can make it stop if you like," Phlagaea offers.

Tulani raises an eyebrow at Alptraum, "But Whats this about your friend and practical jokes? I'm curious now."

"Oh, question for you since I didn't have time to ask the Countess about it … when she touches my right hand … I can feel it. I mean, when any of you do, I just feel pressure … but when she does I feel it like the chitin wasn't there at all. It's very odd. Any idea why?" Alptraum asks.

To Tulani, Alptraum says, "Oh, that would be Hexxen. He had a thing for, uh, well, Khattas. He's a black fox about my age. Got into trouble a lot, but then we all did. He was going after the head dancer's girls last time I saw him. That was years ago now. Heh, he'd probably adore you."

The Sphynx arches and eyebrow at this, "Interesting. Well, if I ever meet your troop I'll watch out for him then. As for your arm, maybe its because the countess is bonded to a shadow dragon too?"

"When we go into town, I'm getting you a pedicure," Lilith notes.

"Entirely possible, I suppose. Our bindings are different. Mine is actually more complete than hers is, as it turns out. It fused deeply with me, whereas with her it … " Alptraum explains then stops and looks down at Lilith. "Uh … what is that and why?"

"Just some talon grooming," Lilith notes. "Sharpening, filing, polishing… making them prettier."

"Uh, why do they need to be prettier?" Alptraum has to ask next.

Tulani looks over Alptraum's shoulder, grinning at Lilith saying, "Ooh, you could get them painted too."

Alptraum sits up a bit and peers at his feet. "Painted?" he asks, not sounding too sure about that. He looks over towards Mave and asks, "Did Babelite males get their talons painted?"

"Well, yeah, but that's Babel," Lilith notes. "You'd just get 'em polished here."

"But why do they need to be prettier?" Alptraum asks, "Do they really look that bad?"

"It's not that they look bad, it's just… well, the Countess would notice the effort," Lilith says.

"Ah. Okay, now I understand. You're trying to make me appear as better consort material for her," Alptraum says when it was explained. "What about my left hand claws, then? Or hair? Or, well, clothing?"

"We can get most of that taken care of at the salon… " Lilith says.

Alptraum slumps back, noting, "I'm not even sure how I should act around her. She deserves someone special for her consort. Do you really think she would appreciate it? What does she like in her men?"

Lilith just looks up at Alptraum. "She never really confided that in me. She likes you though."

"And you do clean up nicely Alptraum." Tulani adds.

"Thanks," Alptraum tells the two women. "I just hope I don't mess up somehow. I, well, I want her to be happy." And with a smirk, adds, "And some of the things Mave has taught me, well … should make certain moments rather … fun."

"You're still taking me out on a dinner date though, right?" Lilith asks.

"Is there any reason that would have changed?" Alptraum asks Lilith. "But we have to get a good covering for my hand before that. If anyone gets stared at on that, it ought to be you. Not me because I'm, well, half a monster." He grins.

"And I've realized, I probably owe all of you a massage at some point. As flattering as it is to be cared for by a bunch of very beautiful women … I should return the favor for all of you," Alptraum comments as he finally gets up from his chair and stretches out. "So … those who want to observe magic practice, meet down below in a couple hours. After that, well, it's prep time for Lilith's night. I promise to make it memorable. And hopefully not weird. But that might be stretching it a bit… "