A pair of dark-furred Eeees enter from the flyers landing, and the female tosses herself face down onto the bed. "Your parents are charming," she notes, muffledly. "Now we just have to worry about putting on a wedding for them… "

"And by then they'll know who you are," Alptraum points out as he steps down from the landing and into the suite. "I hope by then they'll also be fine with you being, well, The Countess. They distrust anyone with wealth or power."

"That's less of a worry to me than your tribe's acceptance of me as a vampire," Rose says, rolling onto her back and holding her arms out in a 'help me up' gesture.

"Well, I'm sure Hexen will accept you," Alptraum says. He reaches down with both of his hands to take Rosalind's and pulls her gently back to her feet. "Of course he might also suggest he'll need to sleep with you to be sure you're safe."

Rosalind snorts a laugh, and hugs Alptraum in silence for a moment. Then she breaks it by saying, "We need to feed Melusine before attempting the heart transplant. Twice as much as we did last time. Are you feeling up for it?"

"Normally I would be all for lovemaking with you to help feed her, but frankly this scares me. A lot," Alptraum admits as he continues to hold her in a hug. "But, we don't have much choice in the matter, either. I can't transfer enough alone and you can't directly link to her right now. With the amount you're talking about channeling through me … what are the risks to each of us?"

"Walking funny for awhile, I imagine," Rose says. "There will likely be residual spirit energy too, but I need that for the second phase anyway. Hmmm, just to be safe though, better bring your Shrine Maiden along. Her abilities can at least ensure we transfer enough energy."

"I guess what I'm afraid of is being the conduit for the energy of Draco County. It's about as scary as being the consort of its most powerful witch," Alptraum adds while grinning widely in an attempt to lessen the anxiety he is feeling. "And okay, I can invite Snow. She's used to monsters so I don't think Melusine will scare her too much." He's still holding onto Rosalind as he pauses to think. "Tell me if I'm wrong, but I guess the transplant is we're going to saturate her with energy, then rip out her current heart and hope that she bleeds the energy out slower than it takes for us to put the new one in?"

"I've worked it out with her," Rose explains. "First, I'll use her Name and the torc to paralyze her. Then we can cut her open, and you'll need to put the new heart in, and grab the old one… then… do your Barsunala thing, and transfer her soul from one to the other. Then we can remove the old heart and close her up."

"That means I'm going to be partially inside her. If the paralysis fails, I'm dead," Alptraum reasons out and nods. "I can't say I'm looking forward to that, but I think I can manage it. The key will be doing as quick a transfer as I can. Which … I cannot guess at how long it would take to transfer a soul of her age."

"I'll be watching your back," Rose promises, then breaks the embrace. "It will take me about an hour to prepare everything," she says, going to a small chest and extracting two black zolk robes embroidered with occult symbols done in silver. "Just make sure to wear this," she notes, holding out one of the robes. "It shouldn't matter what the Shrine Maiden wears, so long as she's cleaned up and doesn't smell tasty."

"And … there is another risk to me that I just realized," Alptraum admits as he takes the robe. "But I don't know how to deal with it other than … be 'creative' if it happens. My shadow aspect might try to take over the heart instead. I've been avoiding any direct contact with it just in case. I'll have to hold the old one with my right hand to be safe. Anyway, I'll go gather Snow and dress while you prepare yourself. Meet in Melusine's lair in an hour?"

"Alright… and I suppose you should only handle the new heart with your left hand then," Rose notes, as she changes from her dinner clothes into her ritual robe.

"That's my guess. I'm not really certain what would happen if I used my right hand and I'm not wanting to take the risk," Alptraum explains as he now heads to the door to the suites. He pauses at the door and looks back, commenting, "I suppose this will be the most interesting 'after dinner sex' ever." He grins.

"No, just 'so far'," Rose notes with a wink.

"An optimist! I love you," Alptraum says, winks, and slips out of the door to go and find Snow.

At the door to Snow's room, Alptraum can hear a very slight sound from inside; purring.

Alptraum pauses at the door and his ears tilt to the side. "Purring? She was human last time I saw," the Eeee thinks. He knocks on the door.

There's a muffled sound from inside that is completely unintelligible.

So … Alptraum tires to open the door and peer inside…

tries

The latch is nearly noiseless (an important feature in any Eeee household) and unlocked, so Alptraum is able to open it enough to see Snow curled up like a cat atop her bed and softly purring as if she were still a Sphynx.

Alptraum's ears skew. "But I turned her completely back except for her eyes. Is she reverting to a sphynx? he wonders as he tries to sneak over to the bed and get a closer look at the human for feline features.

She may be curled up, but since Snow sleeps in the nude it's easy to check for things like fur and claws… which are not apparent. She seems fully human, if just a bit feline in her slowness to wake.

Alptraum leans in close and peers at her ears and nose in particular, just to be sure.

Snow shifts a little, so that her face is a bit more exposed, and then uncurls fully into a feline stretch, complete with a wide-mouthed yawn. Even her teeth look human, but she hasn't opened her eyes yet.

Alptraum taps gently on Snow's forehead with a claw tip. "Wake up," he says, "I need your help … and apparently I need to talk to you about something… "

"Mmmrrrrff," the human mutters, finally opening cat-slit pink eyes, and licking her lips. "Alp… " she mutters, finally focusing. "Hungry?" she asks.

"No, it is time to prepare a Shadow-Dragon for a heart transplant and we need to monitor the transfer. Your skill is best for that, according to the Countess," Alptraum explains. "The other thing is … I think you are retaining some sphynx traits, even after the reverting. You were purring a moment ago … and your eyes are still very feline. I'm not sure either of those are actually going to revert now." The Eeee then leans in close to get a good look at her eyes.

Snow blinks, her pupils opening and closing horizontally. "What?" she asks. "Dragon? Purring? Rub my belly?"

"Shadow Dragon. The Dragon of Draco County. You're going to meet her … well, after you wake up," Alptraum tries to explain. The Eee then, well, rubs her stomach.

This causes the girl to stretch out further, until even her toes spread out. "Okay… I'm more awake now," she says. "I'm turning into a cat, though?"

"I don't know," Alptraum admits. "Do you want me to check?"

"Maybe you should," Snow says, relaxing after the stretch. "I thought it was just my eyes, and that they would turn back after a bit."

"I thought they would too. Do you want me to force them back to normal? Or … do you want to wait and see what happens over time?" Alptraum asks as he places his hand, palm down, on Snow's stomach and begins to extrude his shadow cloak.

"If you aren't sure, then you should probably change be back all the way to normal," Snow agrees.

"Okay, relax and I'll check. If the sphynx is reasserting itself, I'll push you completely back to human," Alptraum agrees. "Well, unless you would rather be a sphynx?"

"It's fun for awhile, but… I don't think I'll ever get used to that urge to lick myself," Snow admits with a wan grin. "So, back to human please."

Alptraum looks a bit disappointed. "Okay," he agrees, "But you were sexy like that." He sighs and on that exhale, Snow is finally completely covered in shadow. Alptraum's eyes close now as he focuses on Snow and how her body feels … and if he can tell she is shifting one way or another.

There doesn't seem to be progress towards the Sphynx at all – it's more that there was a lot of characteristics left behind with the eyes. But then, it was Alptraum's first real attempt at doing separate bits.

Inwardly, Alptraum sighs. He focuses now on Snow's original pattern and applies that back to her body, trying to remove the remaining sphynx traces, even though he doesn't really want to.

It takes surprisingly little time or effort to complete Snow's transformation, given she was nearly there anyway. Once she stirs, she notes, "I thought you found me sexy like this too?"

"I do, I do!" Alptraum agrees, "It's just that … it was somewhat enjoyable knowing I had customized you. I blame Shadow influence. Now, finish waking up. I need to change clothing." And with that, Alptraum slips off the bed and starts undressing.

Snow sits up, and yawns again, before asking, "When is this stuff with the dragon going to happen?"

"In about an hour. The transfer at least. Rosalind is preparing now. We're to meet her in the lair," Alptraum explains, now completely naked. "As a warning, Melusine is huge, and extremely scary and powerful. But I think you'll be okay with the training you have had." The Eeee pulls on the zolk robe and starts fiddling with it to get it just right.

"An hour?!" Snow squeaks, and practically rolls off of the bed towards the bathroom. She takes a moment to get the lamp in there turned up, saying, "I'm a mess! She's not going to try to eat me is she? I hope I have time to get a muffin or something first… "

"Just try to not look tasty," Alptraum calls out after the panicking human. "We can go by the kitchen on the way and get you some food. Rosalind and I will be feeding Melusine. I'll basically be a pathway for the power of the land to reach her."

"I'm supposed to look tasty though; it's my job!" Snow retorts, over the sound of running water. "How's the conduit thing work?"

"Rosalind is the county witch. She has a link to the land. To put it simply, we, ah, join in lovemaking and she transfers the magic through me," Alptraum explains. "And tonight not looking tasty is a good thing… "

"Oh, so you need me to make sure you don't wear out?" Snow asks, stepping back into the doorway soaking wet. "I'll keep my cloak on. That usually makes me look bland."

"You need to watch how much magic Melusine absorbs. It needs to be a lot. enough to survive us, well, carving out her old heart and replacing it," Alptraum explains and tries to smile as if it were no serious issue. "Rosalind can likely tell how how much would be enough and what to watch for."

"And some of that, yes, may mean making sure we don't wear out so enough transfers," Alptraum adds.

"Well, I can tell when the dragon is weakening or in pain or feeling good," Snow notes, vanishing back into the bathroom. "Or… maybe make it calm if it's upset. This whole things sounds like it's gonna feel good at first, and then unbelievably painful."

"The cutting open part will likely hurt beyond belief, yes," Alptraum admits. "Rosalind has a way to restrain her, thankfully."

Snow reappears with a towel wrapped around her hair, and then spins with her arms held out. "Do I look clean everywhere? And dry?" she asks.

"You look fine. There is that stubby little tail, but it is nothing to worry about," Alptraum says and even shrugs.

"What?!" Snow yelps in alarm, and starts grabbing at her rear to try and find the tail.

"I'm joking!" Alptraum says quickly and with minimal laughter. "You don't have a tail. You do have a nice butt, though."

"Hmmph! You'll make me more nervous with jokes like that," Snow says, and in retaliation wiggles her butt at the bat. "I just need another few minutes to do my hair," she says. "That robe looks nice on you."

"I look terribly formal in it," Alptraum admits and looks down at himself. "And be careful with the way you wiggle your butt at me, I might take that as invitation to grab… "

Alptraum does take some time to look over the symbols on the robe to see if there are any he actually recognizes.

"There isn't time, so I'm just doing it to torment you back for the tail joke," Snow claims.

"Just remember something, I can ask Melusine to give you a tail," Alptraum teases.

The symbols are all done in silver thread, and Alptraum can pick out the common ones used to represent the different gods and angels, although most of them are just weird figures to him.

Alptraum, of course, looks for a Sunala or Rinala symbol on the robe. He figures at least one is there somewhere.

"I don't have to touch her, do I?" the girl asks from the bathroom, sounding a bit nervous.

"Why? Touching her feels like touching my shadow-flesh," Alptraum points out. "She isn't slimy or anything… "

"But she's big, right?" Snow asks. "Big and scaly like your blue dragon?"

"Well … have you ever seen a melted candle?" Alptraum explains, "Or, hm. Pudding. She looks like a giant, moving, pudding."

"She also might want to examine you. I don't know," Alptraum admits.

"So, not like a dragon at all then, really?" the girl asks, coming out of the bathroom while brushing her long white hair. She sits on the edge of the bed and asks, "Is she more polite than the blue bossy one? Examine me… like you did?"

"Like I did, yes. It might make her happy to do so," Alptraum says, "She doesn't get the opportunity to examine new people often. As for polite … it depends. She's polite to me, more or less. But she is still a dragon and expects to be obeyed."

"So if she demands to eat me, I shouldn't resist?" Snow asks.

"Oh, no, resist that," Alptraum says quickly. "And if she demands that, she won't get her new heart. You are not a meal. I can also claim you belong to me and your flesh is mine to experiment with, not hers, if you like."

"She will be able to tell I've shaped you," Alptraum adds.

"Well… that seems safe enough then," Snow says, as she stands up and retrieves her cloak. Soon only the lower part of her shadowed face is showing, indeed looking ghostly in the dark room.

"Plus I will explain you are critical to the procedure," the Eeee remarks and heads towards the door. "Go by the kitchen to get you some food?" he asks as he opens the door.

"Yes, it would be embarrassing for my stomach to rumble during an important ceremony," Snow notes.

"Kitchen it is!" Alptraum says as he holds the door for Snow. As she passes, the Eeee does grab her butt through the robe and whisper, "Gotcha anyway!" As the door closes Alptraum can be heard cackling … right up to the point Snow elbows him in the gut.

After stopping at the kitchen to pick up a cold sandwich for Snow's breakfast, the pair descend into the bowels of the castle. The guards that usually stand outside of Melusine's door are now positioned at the final stairwell instead, and nod as the dark-robed figures pass. "I've never been so far underground before," Snow whispers, once they get to the heavy double doors. One of them is already open though.

"It only gets scarier. I'll introduce you," Alptraum whispers to Snow and they descend further into the lair…

Rosalind has set up a velvet-covered table with several instruments on it, as well as a few candelabras to provide extra light. A grand circle is drawn on the cavern floor in chalk, surrounding the bulbous, rolling mass of darkness that is Melusine. "Ah, just in time," Rose notes with a smile.

"May I present Sister Snow Toadstool, Shrine Maiden of Inala and assistant in the ritual," Alptraum announces into the darkness that is Melusine and then stands to the side and bows towards Snow. "Sister Toadstool, this is Melusine, Mother of the Dark Brood and Dragon of Draco County." When he rises, the Eeee now heads towards the table so that he can see just what sort of instruments Rosalind brought and just where she put the bag with the new crystal heart in it.

While Snow bows to the dragon and Melusine extends a pseudopod towards her, Alptraum can see the golden torc that is also the symbol for Draco county, and next to that is a silver dagger with an ornate dragon-shaped handle. There's a third space on the table, from the way things are laid out, but it's empty.The last space on the table holds the velvet bag that contains the repaired Shadow Dragon heart.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sister Toadstool," Melusine rumbles. Snow's reply is very soft and nervous, but could just be a simple, "Ma'am."

Next to the table is a small chest, full of vials and bottles.

"What is the third space for?" Alptraum asks Rosalind. Then in a louder voice, he says, "Sister Toadstool is not for consuming. She is my … servant and altar for flesh-shaping. You are welcome to examine her if you wish, but you must not consume or otherwise harm or change her. She is critical for the ritual."

"Your dagger," Rose replies. "You can't hold it or have it slotted in your arm for the ritual."

"Right, thank you," Alptraum says as he extracts the dagger from his belt and places it in the empty spot on the table.

It looks rather plain when placed next to the ornate ritual knife. "Now that things are ready, we should get one with it, yes?" Rosalind asks after taking a deep breath, and reaching for a bottle in the chest. She takes a swig, and offers it to Alptraum.

Alptraum accepts the bottle and sniffs, it, fully expecting to find it smell very feminine, like Mave's potions tend to.

The potion doesn't disappoint, and leaves a warm ember in Alptraum's stomach – although presumably it does more than that for Rose.

"Figured," Alptraum thinks as he lifts the bottle to his lips now and takes a long drink from its contents.

"We might want some of that for later," Rose whispers and winks. "You shouldn't need any at all."

Alptraum grins slightly as he sets the bottle down on the table and stoppers it. "There is some left," he whispers and winks right back.

Rosalind leaves her robe next to the table, and gestures for Alptraum to do the same… and surprisingly asks similar of Snow.

Alptraum slides his robe off, folds it quickly, and sets it beside the table.

The Shrine Maiden hesitates for just a moment, before shedding her own cloak. Without it… well, she does look delicious, from a predator's viewpoint.

"No devouring my servant," Alptraum reminds Melusine.

Taking Alptraum's hand, Rose walking him into the circle, where Melusine obligingly scoops them up onto her bulk. Rose begins singing in the strange language of sorcerers and witches, as she and the dragon caress Alptraum – Melusine engulfing his right arm up to the elbow.

The whole thing would be the focus of dreams and secret desires … were it not for knowing Melusine could destroy both of them in a moment. Still, it is hard to think too much on the negatives when he feels his right arm be swallowed by Melusine completely and the sparks and shivers of the link start to form as shadow both extrudes from his flesh and hers intrudes into his. The fact she could remove that arm at any moment, well … the sensations helpfully push away that thought. He closes his eyes instead and listens to the words, trying to make sense out of them as the touch does its magic…

Senses collapse and swirl together, exhaustion and exhilaration blend together. Occasionally sight sorts itself out from the other senses, and Alptraum glimpses the glowing scar on his chest reflected in Rose's glowing red eyes, as if she had white star-shaped pupils. A bulge or roll of Melusine briefly reveals Snow, standing near the door and glowing like a beacon, so that the Eeee is vaguely aware of her influence as well. Time slows and twists and explodes, until things finally begin to separate into their proper places.

It's so hard to think throughout. Whispers of thought come and go, wonders of if this is how a shadow sees the world, or how an immortal does. Wonders on why his scar glows so, and how all of this works. He may be bound to the supernatural, but it is all still so much a mystery to him. When his senses begin to return, he focuses on himself trying to make sure that he is complete, down to his shadow-hand, even if Melusine retains her consuming grip upon it. He would say something … but all that manages to come out is a slow release of breath as tension fades.

Breathing in again fills his longs with air that seems… charged. It gives him strength, and helps him focus on his own body more than just the parts being pressed into Melusine. He also sees Rose, sitting up atop him, her head surrounded by a dark halo… wait… it's her hair. All of Rosalind's hair and fur is sticking out and making her look like a fluffy winged dandelion dipped in ink.

"That … I … wow," Alptraum finally says after exhaling. "That was beyond anything I've ever experienced. Perhaps new for you, too … you look … like you were hit by lightning, only you won."

Static electricity sparks as Rose taps Alptraum's nose with a finger. "You look the same, only white on top. But at least it isn't curly like a poodle," she points out.

Alptraum reaches up with his left hand to feel his own head, just to be sure she's right about that. "Is it okay if I laugh?" he whispers, "I don't want to seem like I'm … disrespectful, but… "

"It's pretty funny," Rose admits. "And it would give your human friend an excuse, since she looks like she will burst from holding it in."

And so Alptraum laughs. It starts off small, like he's trying to hold it in. But by the end, he's laughing loudly at the absurdness of it all. A moment of humor, an escape, before the seriousness of what must be done begins.

Rose helps Alptraum peal himself away from Melusine, who seems… sated? Or perhaps just torpid. Snow giggles when she sees Alptraum, as the human only has a few strands of hair levitating – the rest being firmly held down by sweat. The girl is practically dripping.

Alptraum doesn't help the matter by sticking his thumb in his mouth and blowing so that his cheeks puff out and pretending it is doing the same to his hair. "I've always been told I have a big head," he quips when he pulls his thumb back out.

Rosalind slides down Melusine's side and staggers over to the table. "Just need to catch my breath," she says.

Alptraum slides down to join Rosalind (as well as make sure nothing else is standing at attention), before he tries to pat his hair back down. "I want you to stand back after you have her contained," he whispers to Rosalind. "I'll handle the knife and cutting. I … don't want to risk you getting hurt if she breaks free."

The Countess thinks about it, and then nods. She reaches into the chest and pulls out a small vial, and a rag. "Balm, in case you're chafed," she says, holding out the vial. "The rag for wiping it off, of course, and… hmm… bring the girl over here too."

Alptraum takes the vial and rag, then he does apply some to certain areas since they are starting to feel a bit raw. Once satisfied, he waves for Snow to come over and join the two Eeee.

The human is hugging herself, now that the excitement is over and her sweat is giving her a chill. "What do you need me to do now?" Snow asks.

Alptraum glances to Rosalind to explain while Alptraum uses the rag to wipe Snow down as much as he can to remove the sweat.

Rose brushes the damp hair back from Snow's face and neck, and asks, "You've let Alptraum feed from you before, so would you let us both feed a little together?"

The human's skin breaks out in goose-pimples but she does nod, and gives Alptraum an 'is it okay?' sort of glance.

"It should be fine. I can repair the wounds afterward," Alptraum explains as he slips around so that he's standing behind Snow and Rosalind is standing in front. That way each Eeee can tilt easily to bite and not get in each other's way. Alptraum looks at Rosalind from over Snow's shoulder and nods … then lowers his jaws down to bite.

Rose takes the opposite side, licking the girl's throat to clear it of sweat before biting down herself. But the Countess always did prefer a little salt in her food. Snow just closes her eyes and breaths deeply, trying not to shiver.

And there both vampires feed. Alptraum is gentle as he ever is with Snow … and knowing how the Countess has nibbled on him before, he's pretty certain she is being gentle as well. It may or may not help matters, but Alptraum's hands and claws lightly caress Snow's sides as they feed. He also realizes Melusine is probably watching this … and very likely amused. Of course he can't look to see, since his eyes are fixated on how the other Eeee and human's bodies press together.

It doesn't last long, however, since two vampires feeding from the neck can easily cause the victim to black out. Rose releases Snow and licks the wound, before saying, "I never knew humans were so delicious. And no fur stuck in your teeth after wards."

"It's one reason I like keeping Snow around. She can be our after bedtime snack… " Alptraum teases once he releases her as well and licks the wound clean. The Eeee then places both of his hands against her wounded neck to concentrate and try to heal over the punctures.

"Bedtime… " the light-headed Snow mutters. She must have also helped 'ground' the two Eeee, as their own hair and fur is back to normal now.

"You'll be okay," Alptraum whispers to Snow as the punctures slowly close over. Alptraum then helps lower Snow to the ground so she can sit and recover. "It's time, isn't it?" the Eeee now asks as he looks up to Rosalind.

The Countess picks up the golden torc, covered in alien symbols and forming a broken ring with two dragon heads facing one another – the true mark of the ruler of Draco County. "Yes," she says, as she puts it on her head. "I spent days memorizing it all, and Melusine should be receptive enough after all that energy was pumped into her."

Alptraum stands. He looks at the Countess, a woman he both loves … and still fears at times. The Eeee leans over and gives her one more hug, whispering, "We can do this." His release comes and now he picks up the velvet bag in his left hand and the ornate dagger in his right.

Rose raises her arms, and begins to sing in a language that seems too tortuous to attempt without an extra tongue. But the Countess is facile enough with her voice to pull it off, and soon it seems that every syllable has a weight to it that falls upon Melusine like a hailstone.

"She's afraid," Snow whispers to Alptraum. "The Shadow Dragon. She's afraid."

"I'm sure. What we are about to do is terrifying. But without it she will die," Alptraum whispers back to Snow. "Can you calm her? Can you offer her some peace from that fear?" The ornate dagger rolls lightly in his hand. "She isn't the only one afraid," he admits to himself, "I am too."

"I don't think I have the strength, but I can try," Snow says, and suddenly seems like… a child. Or a kitten. The sensation is odd but soothing, and seems to roll out from her like waves on a lake.

Melusine at first looks larger after her feeding, but now is beginning to shrink, and her struggles cause cracks to form – but now she struggles less as she becomes smaller and denser.

"Just do not endanger yourself," Alptraum tells Snow. And now he waits, waits until Melusine is ready and he can approach to perform the … deed. There is no going back now, he realizes.

The shrinking and contorting continues for some time, as Rose's voice echoes through the chamber and comes back amplified, as if a dozen voices are joining the chant. Melusine is beginning to take on actual form, bit by bit. A bulging surface sprouts scales for a moment, or an odd limb suddenly protrudes, as if trying to escape the confines of the blob. After what seems an eternity, the spectacle ends and Melusine is reduced to a form that looks very much like a Steel Dragon, if smaller and slightly less horrific than Alptraum has seen before. She lies on her back, and seems to be pinned down to the ground. The circle of glowing crystal in the floor of the chamber is right beneath her, so that only the candles provide light now. Rose gestures to Alptraum that the time is now.

Alptraum takes a deep breath and walks forward to the 'Steel Dragon' lay spread before him. His eyes narrow and his breathing grows deeper with each step as a change comes over him. His whole body seems to wither and draw in, bones standing out in sharp relief, while his claws grow, becoming more like talons of a great predator. His wings seemingly shred apart, tattered flesh connected by tendrils of shadow-flesh hanging between well-worn bones. And his face … it becomes gaunt and terrifying; thin skin over an Eeee's skull, with thin lips barely able to conceal the sharp fangs beneath. As for his eyes … they become paler and paler until they are nothing but blind-white. The Barsunala form is upon him and through its eyes he will find the source of Melusine's soul, her broken heart, so that he knows precisely where to cut.

The dragon's chest doesn't rise or fall – it may as well be a statue made of leather. But the darkness is banished, as Alptraum can see the silver lines of life that flow through the form, and connect at a pulsing nexus in the chest, right were a real heart would reside in a creature of flesh and blood.

"Death is change, a journey from one life to the next," the Wraith-Like Alptraum rasps out in a voice that despite the hollowness of it, carries far more power in this room than it it should and far harsher than Alptraum has ever sounded. Alptraum's right hand raises high, a silver-dagger grasp within its thin fingers and claws. "And today you will walk with me, Mother of the Dark Brood. Your spirit will cross the divide and find new life within a new heart. It is time for you to feel my touch." The dagger comes down hard sinking into the scaling of the dragon's chest before him mere inches above where the glow shines in the center of her chest.

A silver shudder runs through the body, but there is no physical response. The wound seeps ichor and sparks, but is far too small yet to allow one hand inside, let alone two.

Alptraum drags the dagger down the chest now, trying to rend that wound wider, for he must get both hands within the body to insert the new heart, then remove the old. The Expression on the wraith's face is terrifying because it is so cold. No compassion can be seen in those blind eyes. No shiver of a worried brow.

The leathery, hardened shadow-flesh splits, until the incision is long enough to be able to pry open further. Nothing solid lies beneath; no sternum, bone or cartilage to impede the blade's progress.

The blade is drawn further until Alptraum believes the wound is long enough to work with. The silver blade is withdrawn and with a flick of a decayed wrist, goes clattering along the floor behind him. Still expression shows on Alptraum's face as he now grips with those talons of his and pulls the would open wider. "The doorway opens," the wraith rasps.

It's like looking into a dark pool. Black fluid laps at the edges, moves in ripples and waves, but below it is the source of light – the egg-shaped crystal with the ephemeral veins of light branching from it.

And now it's time. Alptraum takes the velvet-covered heart and slides it out into his left hand; the new crystal complete and clear … and completely devoid of any spirit in his 'eyes'. The wraith's head rolls so that he's 'looking' at the wound. Without a word he plunges his right hand into Melusine's chest and those talons close around the fractured heart! Once his grip seems secure, the wraith now shoves the new heart into her chest, positioning it next to the old one. "Take my hand and I will help you cross the sea of oblivion," the wraith rasps. It is then that he begins the effort of transferring the old spirit of Melusine from its broken home into the former heart of Muriavan. The Eeee's fur begins to ripple and roll unnaturally, as if liquid itself. No, not just liquid, a reflection of the very 'Sea of Souls'. The room fills with a chaos of whispers, a myriad of voices of the 'dead'.

As the silvery lines of life pull back into the broken heart, Alptraum feels the transfer begin. And, like the Sea of Souls, there is a tide of the dead flowing through him. Hundreds, thousands of faces; humans, elves, unicorns and other beings familiar and strange – Melusine's victims. Then come the memories of battle, of fields strewn with bodies, of bleeding and giving birth and the laughing of monsters. And the stream just seems to go on and on. Then… a circle of darkness, the plunge that goes on forever… and a new world. Exploration, conquest… and amusement. Twisting the people into strange shapes and combinations and pitting them against each other. Or, sometimes, just out of boredom. The chase follows, the opponent relentless. The mountains of Sylvania, dark and ominous, cornering her. The unicorn knight is barely alive, his head covered in the golden flame of Melusine's own spirit, and then the lance plunges, strikes her heart…

And time stops.

Alptraum can feel the power of the moment, and knows that if he chooses, he can reach into this moment… and change Melusine. Devour her, enslave her, take all that she is and make it a part of himself. Remake her as easily as she remakes flesh.

And it is tempting, ever so tempting, to do this. Voices whisper in his mind how he could make her 'better'. It would be so easy. A tweak here, a change there. So, so … easy. It is here Alptraum finally realizes the power within him, the power granted by the Barsunala; the fact that he is a God born flesh. How could any choice he make be wrong? And yet … he does not use that power. This creature is amoral, it uses people for its whims and its desires … and if he does the same, he is no different. Why does that matter? Why should that matter? All questions that come to him.

"Because I am more than just a God, Alptraum answers them. "It is not my place to take away their freedoms, to make them in my image alone. Her essence is what she is, and for good or bad, it will remain true to what she is." It is in this moment when he could become so much more powerful, gain that which could help him defeat those who seek him harm, and remake the world better … and he denies that simple path. All he does is transfer Melusine's spirit, as it exactly is, into its new home. For good or bad, Alptraum lets this moment, this chance to become so much more powerful, pass him by.

The moment passes, and the light within the body goes dark for a moment. In that moment, it seems like Melusine's body is hemorrhaging power: ichor boils and overflows the wound, cracks appear in the skin, and a wind of energy pours out. Until the new heart lights up, and begins to spread its own silver tendrils out into the dying shadow flesh to reign it back into stability.

Alptraum remains still, holding that new heart in its place until it seems secure. Then with an almost callous movement, he pulls his left hand out and now it is empty. His right hand follows, taking with it the fractured remains of Melusine's former heart. How he manages to do what he does next is unknown; the Eeee actually sticks the broken heart in his jaws so that he can use his now free hands to pull Melusine's gaping wound closed. Once the tear is pulled together, he spits the broken heart back into his left hand. There he stands, watching the wound to see if it closes itself.

The wound glows silver, and cracks before it fully seals – leaving a glowing, star-shaped scar.

If the wraith had a brow, it would arch in irony at the wound shape, just like the one she inflicted upon him. There is a curt nod from the wraith before he turns and walks towards Rosalind Draco. He draws up before her, a visage of decay and death. His left hand comes up and perched upon its talons is the fractured remains of Melusine's old heart. "It is done," he says as the heart is offered.

Rose stands frozen before finally staring at the heart. She gingerly takes the ichor-encrusted gem and places it on the table where the new one once rested. "I… I should… release her now?" she asks the Wraith.

"She is yours to do with as you choose, the wraith answers simply. He now steps away. After a few steps, the body seems to fill back out, flesh returning to its withered state. His legs wobble and then Alptraum drops down to his knees and falls forward, resting on his hands. "Gods," he whispers out as his vision clears.

Snow stands and gives Alptraum someone to lean on, while Rose composes herself and begins singing the strange binding spell again.

"I don't want to have to do that again," Alptraum admits softly to Snow. "I could have devoured her; taken everything. I could have been powerful. Yet … I chose not to. How long will it be before I no longer resist it?"

"If you can resist it when you are not expecting it, I would think you should be able to resist it when you are expecting it," Snow says.

With a shudder, Melusine begins to lose her form, reverting back to a blob.

"You have a lot of faith in me," Alptraum says and offers a weak smile. He sits there for a time as Melusine reverts; thankful for the rest. When it seems that she has returned to her normal state, Alptraum pushes himself back to his feet. "Melusine," he says, "Can you hear us?"

The blob seems smaller than before, but replies, "Yes, I can hear you."

Alptraum pats Snow's shoulder and then actually walks towards Melusine. It is hesitant, but he reaches out and places his right hand against her shadow-flesh. "Are you well?" he asks next. "Do you feel complete?"

"I feel… all times," the blob responds.

"Is that … normal?" Alptraum asks.

"I think she means that she's sorting through her memories," Rose suggests, setting down the torc and putting her robe back on.

"She has much to sort through. I saw her entire life," Alptraum admits as he now rubs the side of his own head. He steps away from Melusine and now walks back to Rosalind. He looks at her for a full minute before he finally manages to ask, "Do I scare you now? What with what I am?"

"I didn't like the coldness," Rose admits, finally turning towards Alptraum and giving him a soft smile. "I… couldn't see that as being you, honestly."

"Part of it is," Alptraum admits uncomfortably as he rubs the back of his neck, "I temper it to some degree when it is released; it could be much crueler." He looks upward for a bit before he can manage to look down and into Rosalind's eyes. "Do you still want me as part of your life now that you have seen that which I must bear?" he asks.

Rose puts a hand to Alptraum's cheek. It's very warm. "Do you really think such a little thing would affect our relationship?" she asks.

Alptraum's only answer to that is to smile in return. He now collects his robe and puts it back on.

"Don't forget your dagger," Rose notes, and is still walking a little funny. "I may need a day to recover from this myself."

Alptraum collects the dagger and this time slots it into his forearm, since Kaira would probably want to see Melusine's state. "I'm rather sore myself," he admits, "So a day or to to let things recover is a good idea. I bet I could get Mave to come up and massage us both… "

"Phlagaea might like that," Rose admits, and walks over to Snow, who still hasn't gotten back into her cloak. "You can share our bed… wait, you don't sleep at night, do you?"

"N-not usually," Snow admits.

"Oh, well… never mind then!" Rosalind says, and offers the girl her cloak.

"Well, tonight could be different," Alptraum says, amused. The amusement, though, is thin. The whole experience has rattled the Eeee far more than he has been willing to admit. It was all to easy to do what he did when he let the wraith loose. While it didn't scare him then, the memory of it now is haunting.

"Well, if we're all going up anyway, you can both help carry some of this stuff," Rose says, once things are packed away. The old heart is placed in the same bag that the new one once rested in, and the ceremonial knife is recovered as well. "We can check back on Melusine in the morning. I for one have had a very long day."

"We all have," Alptraum agrees as he helps pack away the remainder of the ritual materials. "I don't expect Melusine to be fully recovered mentally until the afternoon. She has a lot of history to sort through. Little of it was pleasant." Still, somehow he manages a smile and says, "And truth be told, that went far better than I feared it would. I look forward to a very restful sleep."