The Cascades
The most upscale restaurant in the capital (although not exactly the most exclusive), The Cascades caters mainly to an Eeee clientele. As such, there are very few tables on the main floor, although those that exist each have their own little island connected by a bridge to the central walkway. Two of the walls are artificial cliff faces, with artistically sculpted ledges that hold tables and perch-chairs. Waterfalls tumble down the walls, providing both the restaurant's name and enough ambient white noise to ensure the privacy of diners' conversations.

A stop at the leather shop along the way has given Alptraum the final pieces of his new look: matching gloves that disguise the nature of his right hand by making features of it look like part of the glove itself, including stitching to give the impression of a built-in knife sheath. The matching left glove include finger guards that mimic the chitin coverings of his right hand, and a real dagger sheath. It is also slightly thicker so that it matches the right hand better. They both have strap-latched flaps over the backs of the hand – the left one being an actual pocket, while the right one just covers the pale, softly glowing 'eye' of Alptraum's right hand.

The table they've been given is midway up along a cliff face, with mist from the waterfall keeping the air relatively cool. A water-filled depression in the center of the heavy wooden table holds several floating tea-candles, while cut-out sections along the edges can be used to hold bottles of wine or discard bins for food that is chewed, but not swallowed.

Lilith has had her hair done up into a fancy bun, with a few oiled and curled strands draping down to frame her face. She wears a chitin necklace with a blood-red stone pendant, and a sheer, lacy strapless dress with matching elbow-length gloves, all a deep black. Whatever holds it up must be either magic or some sort of hidden support.

Alptraum, for his part, has dressed in the best finery that he has been able to manage. Part of this includes the new velvet lined cape that he bought earlier, as well as the heeled boots. For a shirt he obtained a almost sheer and zolken blousy, white shirt. For his pants, well, he went ahead and wore the tight, black, leather ones that Lilith was fond of earlier. But true to his gypsy upbringing, he still can't help but wear his earrings as well. His hair has been neatly brushed out again, and though while mostly loose, he has braided a central braid down the center to keep it from falling over his eyes. He saunters over to one of the chairs at their table and hooks his chitinous claws on it, then gracefully twirls it out. "Please, sit, huntress of secrets," he practically purrs to her as he flourishes a low bow to the woman.

Lilith casts a grin towards the other Eeee, and takes the offered seat. "Thank you, Alptraum. Quite gallant of you. Formal lessons, or did you sneak some romance novels from Tulani?"

"Tsk, now that would be telling. I have to keep some secrets, don't I?" Alptraum says as he flashes a grin. Carefully, he eases her chair in a bit so that she's seated up to the table, then walks around to his chair. His right arm flicks out a bit … and with some assistance from his wings, his cape billows outward enough that it slips over the back of the chair and he settles down. "So," he says as he interlaces his gloved hands together, "Have you often taken your conquests here?" It does appear Alptraum never quite gives up that small bit of sarcastic wit, though.

"I didn't know I'd conquered you," Lilith says coyly, resting her elbows on the table so she can lean her chin onto her hands. "I've only actually been here once before, for a party. It's the only place where you know you aren't going to be easily overheard."

Alptraum chuckles and leans in, noting, "No? Surely we were all part of your devious master plan to save all of Draco County? Conquering warrior and demon alike through a shining smile… " His ears flick, amused. Then leaning back a bit, he adds, "The closest I've ever been to a place like this was back in Babel, when I was invited to a grand gathering by Vizier Thath at the Tower."

"Your Father, isn't he?" Lilith notes, and raises a hand. A waiter flies over, and offers her the wine menu… then just as quickly flies off without a word.

A wry grin crosses Alptraum's lips. "There's a way to lower the mood of an evening," he comments and sits back, "But yes, he is. His claim for the gathering was to try and build a new, democratic, Babel. I can only hope that he was being honest … but his history does not lend much credence to that."

Lilith arches an eyebrow over the top of the wine list, before saying, "Well, I do not follow Babelite politics I'm afraid. Fashion is less confusing. Would you like to order some wine?" She offers him the menu.

"Their politics tend to be simple. Kill for what you want and everything is a fair weapon to use … even children sent to set off bombs under the lie that they were helping free their people from slavery," Alptraum comments a bit grimly as he looks over th wine list. His claws tap on the menu, then he adds, "And forgive me, I'm here to have fun … not dwell on the past. So, hm, wine… " He looks down the page, trying to locate the vintage the Countess had shared with him earlier.

There isn't anything quite that old on the list – few of the vintages go back more than ten years, but there are quite a lot of them, all from places Alptraum has never heard of, along with styles that seem unfamiliar too. Dark, Blanc, Mephisto and others.

"And now to show my ignorance of the finer things … I have no idea what some of these wines are," Alptraum has to admit. He looks over the top of the menu and asks, "Can you explain the styles to me?"

Lilith looks over the list again. "Well, Blancs are pure wines, made from grapes or other fruits, sometimes they're brandies as well. Dark wines include fermented blood – it's not the same as drinking blood, but it has a certain taste and texture that appeals to vampires. Mephistos… well, those are wines made from corpse-grapes, which grow in graveyards and have a bit of 'spirit' to them… "

"The last two sound vaguely … creepy," Alptraum has to admit and rubs his chin, "Though I would not mind trying some of both, to be honest. Am I wrong in that you would prefer a Dark wine over a Mephisto one?"

Lilith runs a finger along her lips in thought. "I've never tried a Mephisto before. They're usually for special occasions. But given your nature, I'm curious now. I'd be willing to give one a try if you are."

"Well … this date is for you so it should be what you want, not what I'm curious about," Alptraum says and smiles genuinely this time, not one implying a bit of playful teasing. "So, which would you prefer? I'm willing to try either."

"We can get one of each, just in case," Lilith agrees, and signals to the waiter again. The man flaps back over, order pad in hand, along with two dinner menus. "Have Sir and Madame decided on a wine?" he asks, in that odd waiter-voice you get from wearing a tuxedo.

"We'd like to try a Karlsblot Dark, and a… hmm… a Tinian Mephisto, please," Lilith orders. The waiter takes it down, then hands over the two menus and takes the wine list before retreating.

"Ah, thank you. I wasn't certain on the location and vintage to select. From what I've been told, it isn't so much price, as proper aging, that defines the best wines," Alptraum says. He rests his chin on the backs of his hands and says to Lilith, "Speaking of family, I don't know much about yours except that they're distantly related to the Countess. Would you be willing to tell me a little about them? Such as, is your mother as much a radiant beauty as you are? Now, if your father is a radiant beauty … well, I'd rather not know that."

Lilith grins as she looks over her menu. "I don't look much like my mother, I'm afraid, but she is a handsome woman… not exactly a Mave mind you," she says. "Her position as the head of External Intelligence doesn't let her be very active anymore, but she did train me pretty well. Now my father… he's handsome. He was promoted to Secretary to the Minister of Trade last year… that was why we had the party here. We don't do much actual trade of course, except with Northern Shore."

Alptraum can't help but chuckle at the description of both. "The more I learn about you, the Countess, and everyone around me, the more I feel out of place," he comments with a small grin. "There are days I feel like the clown invited to a birthday party. I mean … my childhood involved, well, learning how to pick pockets."

Lilith looks shocked at this. "Do you mean that all of the rumors about gypsies being thieves are actually based in fact?" she says. "And were you any good at it?"

"Not all of us. But it's a useful skill at times, yes. It's not always about stealing things, though, but about performing sleight of hand acts, slipping things into someone's pocket, and other such parlor tricks," Alptraum comments with a small shrug. He reaches over and brushes one of Lilith's locks of hair from her cheek, then asks, "Does knowing this make you think less of me now?"

"No, since I had to learn many of the same things," Lilith says. "I'll just have be careful of practical jokes from now on," she adds with a smile. "Have you ever used it on… oh… Arkold?"

Alptraum pulls his hand back and from one of his fingers dangles the necklace Lilith was wearing a minute ago. "Oh, good," he says, grinning impishly. Before Lilith has to ask, through, he opens it back up and offers to put it back on her. "As for Arkold … once or twice but … he didn't notice. So … it wasn't as much fun," he adds.

"Hmmm," Lilith notes, leaning forward so Alptraum can get the necklace on easier. "I have to wonder what else you've done with those fingers now. But first things first… what are you in the mood for?"

"I do presume you mean for dinner?" Alptraum inquires with a grin as he affixes the clasp behind Lilith's neck. "Well, I find you quite delicious," he teases, "But alas, you're not on the menu. So … I must say I think I would like to order the various fruits to dip tonight. The sweetness of them is … surprisingly good. It is a pity we can't actually swallow them."

"Well, you could try to get your right hand to develop a sense of taste, maybe?" Lilith teases, and then nods. "I'll get the same then. The strawberries are in season, and they're my favorite."

Alptraum waggles his right hand fingers at Lilith and comments, "You know, I really could try that. And if you're being serious … maybe I will, hmm?" Apparently, Alptraum is not a good person to dare to do something! "Plus, strawberries have one other really nice feature," he notes.

"What is that?" Lilith asks, expecting a punchline.

"They're small and easy to feed to the person you're with," Alptraum answers. He reaches over and traces a claw tip along Lilith's lower lip playfully.

Lilith tries to bite the finger, but just then the waiter returns with the wine selections and glasses. While he sets them out, he asks, "Are Sir and Madame ready to order?"

Alptraum snatches his hand back and grins to Lilith. To the waiter, he says, "Yes, sir, we are. We've decided that we would both like something sweet this evening … so we would both like to have the choice strawberry selection for those of the vampiric line."

"Excellent choices, Sir," the waiter says, and pops the cork on the Dark wine first. There are four glasses as well, it seems, so that the wines won't mix. He pours the Dark for Alptraum first, splashing just a little bit into the glass.

Alptraum slips his hand lightly under the glass bowl of the wine glass and lifts it up. Lightly, he swirls it and inhales softly to take its scent … then drinks the small amount to also taste it.

It's unusual. There's the metallic hint of blood, not quite fully mixed in with the grape wine. It's also a bit heady, given that Alptraum doesn't drink very often, but isn't too strong. It might be what feeding off of a drunk animal is like.

Alptraum purses his lips, then nods, "Quite interesting. I've never tasted anything like it before." He sets his glass down and then nods to the waiter to go ahead and pour a glass of the dark wine.

The waiter fills the glass, and one for Lilith as well, before setting the bottle into one of the holders carved into the table. "Would you care to try the Mephisto now, or wait until after you have had your meal?" he asks.

"I would at least like to taste it now. I am very curious as to what it tastes like," Alptraum admits.

The waiter holds the bottle out for Alptraum's inspection. The label is… unusual. It's a tombstone, covered in vines, with the name Wilbur Schmeck along with a date of birth and death.

Alptraum's brow arches up a bit when he reads the label. "This is even more creepy than I thought, but," he thinks. He offers the waiter a firm nod of acceptance for that particular bottle.

The cork come loose with what might be a moan, and frost forms at the lip of the bottle. "This vintage is from a very good family," the waiter notes, and pours some of the nearly black wine into the second of Alptraum's glasses. Lilith's eyes brighten, and she watches her dinner date with interest now.

"I feel like some odd experiment," Alptraum thinks as he picks up the glass (in his right hand) and notices Lilith's rapt attention. Once again, Alptraum swirls the strange, dark, liquid, then takes a sniff from it while also seeing if he can feel anything through the shadow contaminated flesh. He waits for the senses to hit before he is willing to try drinking it, though.

The aroma is… odd. It seems to trigger a memory that Alptraum can't really claim for his own: A sunny summer day, overlooking a field of golden wheat from atop a Dromodon. There are even insects calling to one another, but the whole thing feels a little blurry, like looking at painting close up.

Only one of Alptraum's eyebrow's arches when the memory hits him. A short nod of interest follows, then Alptraum actually drinks it.

The memory is a bit clearer now, and Alptraum can feel the sunshine as well as a sense of youth. The colors eventually fade out though, along with the rest of memory, but some of the essence of it seems to linger on his tongue.

Another bit of thought on the taste, then he nods. "Very nice. It will be appropriate for dessert," Alptraum decides. "Would you like to taste it before dinner as well, Lilith?"

"Hmmm, I don't want to spoil the surprise, and you had such a pleased look on your face," Lilith says, passing on the taste test. The waiter nods and sets the bottle in another holder, before saying, "Your meal will be here shortly." Then he's flapping off again, still somehow managing to hold the little towel folded over his arm…

Alptraum sits back and looks down at his gloved right hand. "So … should I try to devour a strawberry with my right hand?" he asks Lilith teasingly. "Or, should I avoid my monstrous side tonight? You do seem to find interest in that part of me… "

"As curious as I am… I don't think it would be a good idea to try it in public," Lilith says. "You should probably wait until you start your lessons with Melusine."

"Oh, probably," Alptraum nods in agreement, "But you know me. Headlong into danger I go. Even if it means cracking my skull open." He winks, then adds, "So … when do I get to meet your parents? I'm sure they want to know the kind of riffraff you associate with."

"Well, my mom is the one who sends me out to investigate them, remember," Lilith notes. "You really want to meet them? That's unusual, isn't it, after just one date? Or are you hoping to embarrass me in some way, hmmm?" she asks, one eyebrow arched.

"What, it's unusual to want to meet the parents of one of your friends? And would I ever try to embarrass you?" Alptraum asks.

Before Lilith can answer, the water returns. Managing the tray with surprising grace, he sets out two bowls of fresh strawberries, and a spinning tray filled with dipping cups. There is of course blood, and spiced blood, but also powdered sugar and other sweet dips. "Enjoy your meal," he says with a bow, and then is off again.

"That one is rather efficient," Alptraum comments as the waiter comes … then goes. He hooks a claw deep into one of the strawberries. Carefully, he dips it into one of the sweeter dips and swirls it slowly. Then with his usual playful smile, he lifts it out and extends his hand over to Lilith … the strawberry now hovering an inch from her lips.

Lilith actually waggles her eyebrows before licking the berry with her tongue, and then lunging forward slightly to sink her fangs into it.

Alptraum holds his hand completely still as she bites into it. "Quite skilled with that tongue of yours in both talking and … eating, I see," he teases as he carefully unhooks his claw from the berry. "And oh, for the record, as much as I joke about it, I am quite interested learning from Melusine. I'm quite curious about her history, regardless of what she can teach me about being Dracul, to the point of carrying some of actual shadow blood within my body."

Lilith selects a berry next, and dips it in blood and sugar for Alptraum. "She always struck me as being very private," she notes, after discarding her sucked-dry berry in one of the bins.

"She probably is very private. But given her hatred for Kaira, whom was apparently created by someone she knew … she might tell me enough just to spite Kaira. Or … try to lure me away from Kaira. Dragons are rather jealous creatures after all," Alptraum points out. He then leans in and instead of just licking the berry, then biting it … he curls his tongue around the berry and very deliberately suckle-pulls it from Lilith's claw tip.

"Show off!" Lilith giggles, and drinks some her wine. "Playing on a dragon's jealousy can be dangerous you know. Almost as deadly as trying it with normal women."

Alptraum waggles his eyebrows as he rather enjoys his berry. Spitting out the remains isn't as, well, prim and proper, but still. It was rather good. "I never said I'd play off it. I'm just not going to discourage her from telling me things in a fit of a snit," he points out. "Have you ever actually seen Melusine?"

"Well… if you mean have I seen a black thing in a black room in the dark… Not exactly," Lilith notes.

"Imagine a tower of thick oil that can move on its own. Or rather, imagine if our bottle of Mephisto white could flow on its own … and that's what she looks like," Alptraum explains as he selects another berry for Lilith. This time he too chooses a blood dipped, then sugar coated, approach before he offers it to her, his claw tip making it sway tantalizingly.

Lilith doesn't tease the berry so much this time before biting down, seemingly distracted by trying to visualize the Shadow Dragon. "It sounds like a blob," she eventually says.

"Yes," Alptraum agrees.

"You didn't call her a blob though, did you?" Lilith asks. "I'm sure you flattered her. You always flatter women."

"Of course I did not call her a blob. I was very respectful," Alptraum insists as he swirls another berry in one of the dips. Then with a quick swipe, he 'stripes' the tip of Lilith's nose with the berry. "We actually did not speak that long. Her and Kaira reached an agreement about training me, then she said she approved of me and dismissed us."

Lilith licks her nose clean. "Well, approved of you for training, or approved of you being with the Countess?" she asks.

"Both," Alptraum answers as he hovers the strawberry a few inches from her lips. "Speaking on which, I'm not certain what all my duties will be for the Countess. I'm hoping I'll be able to act on her behalf or help deal with some of the supernatural issues of Sylvania too."

"So not wanting to be holed up in the castle all the time, with some sort of collar chained to the bedpost?" Lilith teases, and then grabs the berry with her long tongue.

"That might be fun for a month or so," Alptraum comments with a grin, "But I like to feel useful. Hmm. Your mother is head of the External Intelligence … perhaps I should has her if there are any dangerous areas or rumors she would like investigated that she's loathe to send one of you."

"I don't know," Lilith says, holding out a berry in her claws. "You aren't exactly inconspicuous… even without the altered hand. But then, you did say you had some places to visit, didn't you?"

Alptraum leans over and stabs the berry with only one of his fangs. He proceeds to lick it slowly, then pause to say, "Well, I need to return the crystal necklace to Duchess Eve of Blackshire, then visit the Smiths for Gun's birthday party. After that … I don't have any specific plans. Eventually, I'll have to visit Babel. I don't want to, but … R … The Countess, wants me to come to some sort of understanding with … him."

"Well, that's natural," Lilith says. "After all, your child could be the heir to Draco County. And you're nearly the heir to Babel, as much as anyone left alive can make such a claim."

"Except it's supposed to be a democracy," Alptraum points out. He pops the berry off his fang and chews it thoughtfully for the flavor, before spitting out the remains. "And you know, I never thought of myself as heir to Babel. That's … scary."

"Well, it's up to who the people will follow," Lilith says, dipping a berry into her wine and swirling it around. "Assuming they're the ones who'll be voting. More likely, it will be major interests and nobles who will vote, I'd think."

"Most likely," Alptraum agrees and takes a drink. "I had a chance to kill him," he admits quietly, "But I couldn't do it."

"Because of the chaos it would cause, or because of who he was?" Lilith asks curiously.

"I would like to say it was only because of the chaos it would cause … but truthfully, it was both. I just … couldn't do it. He did horrible things; but some he did to protect me. I couldn't hate him for that. Plus … I didn't want to continue the Babelite tradition of using death for all ends. I kind of hoped that by sparing him … maybe somehow the act would have changed him. Fat chance, really, but I can always have my foolish, romantic hopes, eh?" Alptraum answers … then takes a long drink from his wine glass.

"Do you think there will be a time when he is ready to retire from politics?" Lilith asks. "If you offered him a place to flee to… err… retire too, I mean, he might consider giving it up sooner. Plus, if he really did all those things for you, then knowing how you've turned out might mean a lot to him. Have you tried writing him a letter yet?"

Alptraum sets his glass back down and traces the rim with the tip of one of his claws. "I doubt he would want to retire. But, no, I haven't tried writing him. I haven't seen him since … well, it's been a long time," he answers. "Maybe I will, when my position is more certain. I … well, I think the Countess and such are still trying to figure out what exactly to do about me. Having me around is bound to complicate things for her."

"Not really," Lilith assures. "She's a busy woman, and you should at least give her some stress relief and a non-dragon to confide in. You had dinner with her before we left to deal with Dack… what was your impression of how she looked at you?"

"Well, one thing I do not want to do is treat her like a ruler. She needs to be a person too. she needs a chance to see some of her dreams become real," Alptraum says with a small nod. "As for how she looked at me … playful? A friend? Someone to just talk to? I think at some level she was … feeling me out? She did deliberately try to spook me. And her butler told me he was hopeful that she would not spend so much time alone anymore."

"The link with Melusine may be responsible in part," Lilith says, "although the necessities of war are more likely the reason for her isolation. For our enemies, she must be a mysterious, powerful person who strikes fear into them. If they began to think of her as just a woman with some magical abilities, they may feel emboldened. So far, we have faced isolated battalions under a single Chevalier, although the battle in the swamp, we think, may have involved two Chevaliers forming a temporary truce to try and overpower our defenders."

"Heh, then an alliance with the embodiment of the son of Death only aids to increase that fear," Alptraum notes, with a shrug. He then grins and adds, "And why are we talking about this again? This date was about you. So, what are you hoping for?"

"A chance to eventually raise a family in safety," Lilith says. "But a bit of youthful adventure as well," she adds with a smirk. "It is… heady… to feel involved in momentous events, after all. To have a hand in shaping the future itself."

"Well, nothing is ever dull around me … so adventure is certain," Alptraum says with a smirk. He actually starts juggling a few of the berries before adding, "And besides, it is appropriate for those of the shadow bonded to shape things, no? So, stay around us and well, you'll see plenty of shaping." He winks.

"And there's one other favor I hope to gain from you," Lilith admits. "Something… rather personal."

Alptraum catches all three berries he's been juggling in one hand. He peers over the chitinous knuckles, then asks, "That would be? You should know by now I do everything in my power to help my friends."

With a smile, Lilith asks, "If I should fall outside of Draco County, will you be the Reaper for my spirit?"

Alptraum blinks at that. "That is a strange thing to ask. Are you … expecting to die?" he asks worriedly.

"I'm expecting to die before you," Lilith notes. "But my job does have its risks… such as infiltrating a dragon's lair."

"Is it … normal tradition to request a specific reaper?" Alptraum asks. "It seems … well, a very intimate request to make. It shows a level of trust in me that … I feel honored."

"I doubt anyone has known the true identity of a Reaper before," Lilith says. "And, technically you don't hold the position, but are capable of carrying it out. Agents like me can be lost completely out there, beyond our borders. Charo and the rest serve the soldiers, which have fallen in a known area. They aren't sent out for civilians."

Alptraum considers the request for a moment. "Give me your hand," he then asks quietly and extends his left hand to Lilith.

Lilith extends right hand across the table, her eyebrows rising up.

Alptraum takes Lilith's hand into his, fingers interlaced. His breathing starts to slow as he gazes across the table, his silvery eyes searching into Lilith's red ones. And for a time, there he sits … and then a small tingle creeps up the back of Lilith's neck.

The Eeee squeaks in surprise, and reaches around with her free hand to rub the back of her neck.

And then it just stops and Alptraum gently releases her hand. He then smiles and gives his answer, "Yes, I will be your reaper, should you ever require it."

Lilith smiles, showing her teeth this time. "Thank you!" she says, looking like a weight has been lifted from her. "Because I work in secret, and… well, I was just always afraid I'd never be brought home if something happened."

"I will always be able to find you, no matter what," Alptraum says as he sits back. He curls his fingers and smiles, adding, "I … well, I memorized the feel of your spirit just now. Something you can actually thank Mave for; she taught me how to feel the nuances and differences in magic. Doing the same with a spirit is, well, possible as it turns out."

"So you can sense when I'm around all the time now, or only when you concentrate on it?" Lilith asks.

"It's there, but unless I focus on it, I don't really notice it. It's  … well … do you notice your clothing?" Alptraum asks.

"Of course I do!" Lilith says. "Do I look like somebody who dresses in the dark, Alptraum?" she asks, sounding a little miffed.

"I mean when it's on and against your body! Or rather, I should have said do you notice your breathing? I don't think most people do, unless they think on it," Alptraum says quickly and raises his hands placatingly, "Same way with you. If I try I can feel you sitting there. You're … warm? Like the heat from a shuttered candle. It's really hard to describe."

Lilith makes an 'oh' with her mouth, and calms down. "I may not be the best person to ask those questions of, really. I am quite often aware of how my clothes drape and how I am breathing, but I'm trained to be so."

Alptraum thinks for a moment, then nods at something. "After dinner, can you take me to the highest point in the city? I want to show you something there. I promise it will be … well … interesting," he finally says.

"Alright," Lilith agrees, looking a teensy bit wary. "Should we bring the Mephisto with us to drink there?"

"That might be appropriate, actually. And I promise it won't be creepy," Alptraum tries to assure Lilith with a smile. He even reaches over and traces a claw along her cheek. "I'm just, well … it'll be a surprise."

"Well, okay then," Lilith says finally, after the cheek-stroke.

Alptraum finally selects another (unjuggled even!) strawberry. This one he dips in his wine, then coats in sugar, before offering it to Lilith. "But first, let's finish this lovely dinner, shall we?" he says with a smile.

---

It probably isn't too surprising that the spot with the best view of the town is atop Castle Draco itself. The exact location that Lilith chooses is probably one she's been to before – the top of one of the draconic gargoyle figures that are carved from the raw stone of the mountainside. It's an ugly brute, something Vorgulremik would stand next to in order to look handsome. But the flat head is broad enough to lay out a blanket on and the winds are not so rough here.

Settled down on the blanket and overlooking the city below, Alptraum pours one of the borrowed glasses half full of the Mephisto wine. "Now, I promised to show you something interesting. Here, drink this and think on how you feel when you do," he says as he offers her the glass.

The woman has a sip, and closes her eyes to let it soak in. "Warm," she says. "Like… summertime. The smells… this is really good wine."

Alptraum slides in so he's sitting behind Lilith. Gently and slowly he draws her back until she's leaning against him. He takes the backs of her hands into his and rests his chin on her shoulder. Now whispering, he says, "Now, feel as I breathe and try to breathe along with me and relax. You must be relaxed for this to have even a hope of working. Do you trust me?"

"With my very spirit," Lilith admits, and quickly synchronizes her breathing with his. Must be the breath-control training she'd hinted at during dinner.

"Good," Alptraum whispers, then grows quiet. And there he breathes slowly. The wind blows around them as time seems to ebb and flow about them. That slow tingle starts to crawl up Lilith's spine again and Alptraum repeats, "Trust me." There's a raspy tint to his voice now.

There's only a slight hitch in the woman's breathing, but then she relaxes and gets back in sync again.

The air around Lilith seems to grow cooler. Alptraum seems to grow cooler. Though his gloves hide what his hands look like, Lilith can feel then growing thinner, more gaunt and bony. "Relax and let go," comes the rasp of Alptraum's voice again. "Just … feel."

"Let… go?" Lilith asks once, and then tries to relax as best she can in the embrace of Death.

Something strange does start to happen. It's imperceptible at first … but slowly the landscape that stretches out around them starts to come to life. Filaments of color start to swirl and flow throughout the buildings before them, alighting them and embracing them. She can almost see beyond the walls themselves, and the silvery light of those inside. Some buildings the light is strong, almost blinding. In others … dim and fading. But no building, no tree, no plant, is without some glow. Even Lilith's own hands glow brightly with swirls of silver and blue. "What you see is life, Lilith," Alptraum whispers to her. "What you are protecting; what we are protecting. This is what I meant when I said I memorized what you felt like. All of this is always around you; you just have to know how to look."

There's a sharp intake of breath from the woman, and she quietly asks, "Is this how the Barsunala sees the world?"

"I cannot see what you do, but if it is how I do see when I shift … well, it changed things for me. The light of people is … inspiring. At least it is for me. The way people love, the way someone who is happy shines and cuts through the darkness. And it is a great trust to be guardian of the light people leave behind when the finally leave the world. It's not just about showing the way to rest … its also about making sure the world doesn't forget them," Alptraum tries to explain as best he can. "It's a hard and sometimes lonely path. But … it's worth it to know that in some small way I am helping preserve the light."

"It seems such an odd sentiment for one born of Death," Lilith mutters. "You sound like the son of Rinala instead, bound to duty as She was."

"Death is just change; a passage from one world to another," Alptraum says and he eases his hands away from hers. The glowing landscape ripples then starts to fade back into twilight. His voice returning to normal, he continues, "Just because I am born of Death doesn't mean I cannot try to see the beauty in the world. Or cannot be compassionate. I never want to grow cold inside, Lilith. It is that part of me that keeps me from becoming a monster."

"I wonder," Lilith says, sounding serious, "will you be buried here in time, Alptraum? Will the Mephisto grapes grow from your grave, and give future people such strange insights?"

"I … doubt it," Alptraum admits and looks skyward. "It's funny, but I think I would just prefer an unmarked grave in some forgotten place. I don't want to be worshiped or idolized. I don't want more wars fought over me."

"I doubt that will be allowed," Lilith says. "Besides, there's no reason to remain humble if you're dead after all."

"Doubt what will be allowed?" Alptraum asks, curious.

"You can't be so easily forgotten, Alptraum," Lilith replies.

"It's hard enough to believe I exist," Alptraum points out with a playful grin, then looks out over the city. "I guess what I really want isn't for people to remember me so much as remember what I did and learn from it. Small actions can change the world, I once told a rather obstinate young Yodhsunala … and I still believe that. Many people are afraid to act, afraid to go against the crowds when they should. To risk themselves for others. … I am willing to do that; to step in and try to make a difference … just perhaps that will inspire others to as well. I can't save Sylvania alone … but if we all worked together, we could."

"Perhaps you should be sent to the neighboring lands to muster up support for a more unified nation," Lilith suggests. "I'm sure the Czar would be willing to agree with anything that ties Sylvania back together again."

"That would be risky, but possible. It would also have to be done in secret. If unification is heard by Gallis, they will strike the neighbors too," Alptraum muses.

"Those that have not been struck have already forged some sort of deal with Gallis," Lilith notes. "And not all as clever as that of Northern Shore."

Alptraum shakes his head, then nods. "No, I won't say it is then impossible. It only becomes impossible when you quit trying," he says firmly. "We all have a lot to fight for and worth fighting for." He slips to the side a bit, then eases his arm around Lilith. "We will have a future that is safe."

"I'm feeling pretty safe right now, actually," Lilith says, her old grin creeping back.

"But now … now we just sit back and enjoy our wine and the company, eh? New roads will open soon and new paths to walk. But tonight, bah. No more worries on what could be. Tonight is just enjoying what is," Alptraum says with his signature playful grin. "And! Before we retire … we must do one thing if nothing else … "

"What is that?" Lilith asks, turning her head to look up at Alptraum.

"I was thinking we should steal all of Arkold and Ravenia's clothing so that they have to greet the morning, reborn. And after all, how do all of us come into the world? Completely naked, that's how," he explains then nods firmly and grinning like a maniac. "You said you wanted fun tonight. Well, nothing is more fun than knowing your good friends are about to get a surprise… "