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.

It is impossible to read the expressions of a Shadow Dragon, since in all likelihood they don't have any. Yet having a massive, head-like appendage hover expectantly over one cannot help but instill a sense of 'This had better be important'-ness.

Alptraum drops down to one knee before the gigantic blob and lowers his head. "Forgive my request for audience, mi'lady," Alptraum says politely, calmly, and a bit slowly. "I have been doing more research on the remains of the heart that was once part of my shadow. I was hoping you could further my understanding of what it is made of, in case it cannot be fully repaired, I still wish to find you a suitable replacement. Would you allow me to see yours a bit closer and tell me about it?"

The bobbing light within Melusine flickers a bit more as it moves about. "See mine a bit closer? What would that entail?" the shadow dragon asks warily.

"Just moving closer so I can see the glow up close?" Alptraum explains, "I don't intend to stick anything inside you, if that is what you were thinking. I can even strip off everything I'm wearing and leave it near the entrance if you wish further proof I'm not armed."

"I do not understand how this will make anything clearer," Melusine states. She seems very reluctant about 'exposing' her crystal.

"I want to see what it looks like whole and unscathed. How am I to know if I was able to fix the damaged crystal without having ever seen a complete one?" Alptraum points out.

Alptraum rubs his neck, then offers, "I'll remove everything, you can immobilize however you see fit, then show the crystal to me close enough to see but not so I can touch? Would that be sufficient?"

A ripple – more sensed than seen – moves across Melusine's surface. "I cannot show you the entire crystal at once, and… " she says, and then pauses. "It is not you whom I distrust, Alptraum, but the shadow within you. If it has any ego left, it could try to take over my body for its own."

"But can you immobilize it and me so that it could not?" Alptraum asks, "I really just wish to see what a normal and complete one looks like. So I know what the one I have should look like, or if all fails, what a replacement looks like."

"Sit where you are," Melusine says, but still seems to tremble as she oozes closer.

Alptraum sits down on the floor and crosses his legs. The Eeee then grabs his hands with his feet. "Have other shadows tried to … take yours before?" he asks.

"It is not unheard of," Melusine replies. "And only by touching my crystal could I be kenned as well." The light bobs about, out of reach of course. It may be that Melusine can't hold it steady, but it does stay more or less in the same area of her body now. It appears in brief glimpses, but the overall shape – that of an egg – is apparent, although half again larger than the broken one Alptraum recovered from the sarcophagus. The faceting doesn't seem to follow any regular pattern, and it is the light that seems to vary the most. It is as if there is a glowing, cloudy mass that writhes and circulates within the crystal, once one has stared at it long enough.

"It's beautiful in an unusual sort of way," Alptraum says as his head tilts and bobs so he can catch glimpses of it. "That movement inside … that is you, is it not? Your spirit? I've always heard crystals had odd relationships with magic… "

"It is my life force," Melusine notes. "The crystal is made with magic, although I do not know the precise method."

"I was going to ask where it is from. I heard one explanation, but I do not know if I entirely believe it," Alptraum says. "Vorgulremik claimed they were the hearts of steel dragons. And yours in particular was one of his former bodies."

The motion of the dark body stops for a second, and then resumes. "How interesting," Melusine says. "I am the oldest of my kind, created by the Unseelee goddess, Nox. But not all Shadow Dragons are born of Steel ones. Other hearts came from different dragons as well."

"But always dragons, I take it?" Alptraum clarifies. "That would pose difficulties for replacements. I don't know of any other dragons, hmm."

"Your spirit one is of no use," Melusine notes. "The Tyrryans are not true dragons. Although it is possible that any fey creature would suffice, if strength were not an issue."

Alptraum tilts and peers at the heart a bit more, then sits back. "Thank you for trusting me and showing me," he says, "If you wish to withdraw from me, do feel free to do so. My primary goal is to try to track down a mage that specializes in crystal work. That would be an earth mage, most likely. I'm hoping the iron can be extracted, but I think iron poses problems for any mage. So … "

The Shadow Dragon retreats some. "Yes, remove the contamination, and then… " she says. "And then, perhaps it can be healed by the proper application of unicorn heart-blood."

"I was thinking that perhaps I wouldn't need a mage at all, but a potter. Heat it till the iron melts and flows out, then cool the crystal slowly so it doesn't shatter. Then … " Alptraum explains, lost in a bit of thought. Well, right up to when the comment about unicorn blood registers. "Er, what? You want me to kill … what exactly?"

"Unicorn blood is potent," Melusine says. "It may repair the fractures. And unicorns are easier to find than dragons."

"But, but … a glass maker might be able to fix the fractures too. Crystal is glass like," Alptraum says a bit uncomfortably. "I'm not sure I could kill a creature for its blood to fix this … and I am a vampire. Wouldn't that get me into some serious trouble?"

"I did not say that the unicorn needed to be killed," Melusine notes. "And it is… a working theory. Our crystals may not be like natural ones, having come from dragon hearts. But again, I do not know how to create one from a heart," claims the so-called Mother of the Dark Brood.

"Well, then all I can do is try things and hope one of them works," Alptraum says after another bit of quiet thinking. "Can I ask you something about the former Shadow's power? A dream reminded me recently of something he created that is called here a 'black heart'. Was that because he was undead … or is that an ability all shadow dragons possess?"

"Describe this black heart to me," Melusine requests.

"Well, it infected me briefly," Alptraum says and offers his right hand to Melusine should she wish to probe for anything. "In my right hand, in fact, if you want to look for clues of what it did. It looked like a miniature pulsating heart to normal vision … but to a more spirit vision, it looks like a small glowing worm. It was trying to turn me into a zombie."

"And this came from the Shadow?" Melusine asks.

"When I put my hand into it to draw it into the spirit dagger, yes. It left something in me as it channelled through my hand. It didn't show up for a couple hours, but when it did … it was scary. I was literally watching my hand wither away painfully," Alptraum explains.

"Then this is not an ability that all Shadow Dragons can possess," Melusine replies. "It is a perversion of the male reproductive process."

"Err. How is it male-specific? And … this ability … I would potentially have it?" Alptraum asks slowly, "Since I fused with a male."

"Do you not understand how male and female contribute different elements to the creation of a child?" Melusine asks.

"Well, I know how my species does it. I was not sure how Shadow Dragons did it," Alptraum admits.

"It is similar enough, in principle," Melusine says. "In your Shadow, the male element was perverted into a means of control. You are not 'undead' however, so such a trait is unlikely to manifest in you."

"That's a relief," Alptraum says, "Watching a body part literally wither and die is terrifying. I … well, you would have no real concept of what that is like given you don't have a solid physical form."

"Given your active reproductive functions, I am certain you would have noticed if your partners became zombies by now," Melusine notes, and her body ripples again – a sign of amusement?

Alptraum coughs and looks away, trying to hide his ears. "Have you been spying on me?" he asks bluntly.

"I can sense that your hormone levels are somewhat depleted at the moment," the shadow comments. "Such would be the result of prolonged activity. You also seem to be walking as if you are in some minor discomfort."

"Ah, well, I was helping test a potion," Alptraum claims, "And yes, I am in a bit of pain, but I wasn't going to ask for your help with it … " The Eeee then smirks, adding, "For fear you might remove things again."

"Very well then, I will not offer to remove the discomfort," Melusine replies.

"Well … " Alptraum says, "What would removing discomfort involve?"

"Treating the area of inflammation, of course," the dark blob notes. "But such could result in a physiological reaction that might be seen as inappropriate."

"What sort of reaction?" Alptraum asks, brow arching.

"The one typical of males when being touched there," Melusine notes. "I avoided such last time by disconnecting the relevant anatomy, but you seem reluctant to repeat that experience. And you have not even taken me to dinner yet."

"My my, are you wanting me to proposition you? Or at least attempt formal 'dating' rituals?" Alptraum actually asks, looking amused. "I must admit that is the last thing I ever expected from you."

"And you should not expect it at all," Melusine notes. "It would be a disservice to you, as you would never find satisfaction in merely mortal lovers afterwards. I know your body, and can inflict absolutely excruciating levels of pleasure should I choose to."

"So … " Alptraum says slowly, obviously thinking over things, "If I allowed you to … disconnect, repair, and reattach things again. Would it … take long?"

"No," the dragon replies. "However, you should practice with your own shadow to try and relieve the discomfort rather than resort to that. I do not wish to spoil you, Alptraum. You have a long ways to go before your mastery of your shadow is of use to me."

"I've been careful to not use the shadow for such to avoid damaging myself until I'm better at it. For the sake of the Countess, if nothing else," Alptraum admits as he rubs the back of his neck. "If you can do it quickly … I guess I would be okay with it. Just … don't look like you're chewing on it again … please?"

"What will you do for me in return?" Melusine asks.

"What would you want?" Alptraum inquires.

"This is were it becomes awkward, for there is nothing you can do for me at your current stage of development," Melusine answers. "Although… you could take my Rughrat for a walk."

"So, I'm not far enough along in becoming a shadow dragon to be useful?" Alptraum clarifies with a small frown. "But … I can certainly take your Rughrat for a walk."

"Step forward, and I will treat you," Melusine offers, extending her 'head' pseudopod. "I will reattach things when you return from the walk. Do not let her eat any clovers; they give her flatulence."

"After the walk? I'm going to be a girl, well, girl like, for the walk?" Alptraum asks as he slowly stands, feeling less comfortable with this already. "Well, all right. I'll make sure she doesn't eat clover."

"Do you wish to be fully female for this?" Melusine asks. "I can only do so much, so it would not be a functional change… "

Alptraum blinks repeatedly, asking, "You could actually make me appear female … there?"

"That would require a bit more effort," Melusine admits. "Eeee are slender, however, so creating the illusion with the rest of you is little challenge, so long as you do not wish to look like a Yodhinala."

"Heh. The Yodhinala wishes you to make me look like her for … well, she has reasons," Alptraum explains with the shake of his head. Still, the Eeee taps his chin, commenting, "Well, I suppose I could actually be Yodhsunala Nicora for a short bit if I had you … do that. Is it risky?"

The blob makes a sort of bubbly sighing sound. "Really, you ask too many questions. Your interest in this line of thought is strange, even for a mortal. You could just go and apply some cold water, after all."

Alptraum shrugs a bit. "I'm curious what you can do. I find you interesting," the Eeee admits, "And you're right. I can just go make a cold compress. I'll still take your Rhugrat for a walk, though."

"Very well then," Melusine says, and the Rhugrat appears around her bulk, trailing a leathery-looking leash. Of course, the leash is just an extruded bit of skin from the base of the creature's neck and not a true leash at all. "She is also in heat, so discipline her if she attempts to mate with anything. She is easily confused, and will pursue furniture if it smells wooly enough."

Alptraum takes a hold of the leash and coils it a few times around his fingers. "I'll do what I can to keep her calm. I should probably get a bucket of cold water on the way," he says. The Eeee reaches out and actually lightly touches the closest part of Melusine with his right hand, adding, "Thank you again for your patience and time. I hope you found it worthwhile. I did."

"Mortals," the dragon mutters. "Always curious. Do not forget to keep your hand fed."

"Does it feel low to you?" Alptraum asks as he starts towards the door.

"No, but you should not let it get hungry," Melusine notes. "It is part dragon, remember. Hungry dragons are irritable."

"I know it starts withering and hurting if I go too long," Alptraum asks, "Would worse things happen?"

"Try not to find out," Melusine advises.

"Of that you can be certain I won't. I'll seek out something to devour 'Shadow Dragon proper', not the crude absorption way I used to use," Alptraum says, "Thank you again. I will have your pet back in an hour."

"Be sure to pick up after her as well," the dragon says in parting.

"What, do you want her droppings?" Alptraum asks as he peers back around the door frame.

"Cleanliness is next to dragon-ness," Melusine notes.

"Uh, right," Alptraum says. He waggles his chitinous fingers at the blob in a farewell, then disappears around the corner. Off to walk the Rhugrat! He even left unscathed. Sometimes miracles do happen…