It's been a busy day for Alptraum. After the initial tests on his arm and other shadow-influenced areas, he was taken off by Igorina to gather another specimen sample – an opportunity the Skreek woman made the most of. Once Alptraum was recovered from that, it was back to the lab to watch as Twig performed various tests on the crystal heart using swabs of different chemicals. Then came the tests where magnetic lodestones were applied, various colors of light were shone on it, and exposure to small electrical currents were evaluated. In the end, Twig announced that he had a plan for removing the iron without damaging the crystal itself, and prepared a complicated liquid solution that he called a 'magneto-electric ferro-solvent' or similar.

After strapping the lodestones to key areas of the crystal, he dunked the whole thing into the vat of solvent and added the wires of one of the big clay batteries to it. "I think we will see some results by morning in the clouded areas," he announced. Then there was dinner, although Alptraum wasn't feeling very hungry after biting Igorina earlier. There wasn't much time for conversation, as Twig spent most of it dictating notes to his assistant.

After the meal, Twig invited Alptraum to join him in the study, where the scientist had already changed from his formal attire to a brocaded robe and fez.

Alptraum isn't quite sure what to make of the outfit Twig wears. It looks somehow regal and goofy at the same time. In the end, he decides on a fairly safe comment and remarks, "Nice hat." before he settles down into one of the gathered chairs. He interlaces his fingers and leans back lightly. "I hope I haven't been too much of an inconvenience on your work," he says, "I know I'll have occupied your time for at least two days by the time I leave… "

"Oh, pish-posh!" Twig says, taking the other chair. "It's nice to have company, not to mention that you've given me all sorts of new directions to test in my own work, and that of the Promethean Society as a whole." Twig slides open the top of the globe, revealing several crystal carafes of liquor, glasses and a fancy looking box. "Care for a cigar?" he offers. "Finest Gallisian make. Same for the booze. The Chevaliers are a nuisance, but they have nice stuff to steal."

Alptraum almost declines … but then remembers enjoying Mave's pipe. So, the Eeee leans over and selects one of the cigars. "Thank you," he says as he sits back again and just rolls it between his fingers for a moment. "New directions?" he asks and with a waggle of his fingers of his right hand, he adds, "Looking to do this to yourself, too?" He grins.

"Oh no, nothing so bold!" Twig says, and offers some cigar clippers to Alptraum after snipping the end of his own cigar. "But we are always looking for new approaches to dealing with the undead."

"I have to admit that worries me," Alptraum admits as he takes the clippers and snips the end of his cigar. "About what I might become. You seem to think I'm not quite … finished."

"Since you speak about dealing with the undead, that is," Alptraum clarifies.

"You have conflicting forces working within you, my boy," Twig notes, and then sparks up a lighter engraved with some Gallisian family crest. He holds it out for Alptraum to use first. "No telling how long that stalemate will hold."

"What do you think will happen to me if you had to guess?" Alptraum asks as he leans forward. He lights the end of the cigar, then puffs on it a few times to make sure the cigar stays lit.

After lighting his own cigar and blowing a ring towards the fireplace, Twig says, "Well, depends on which side wins. If the Barsunala prevails, you may lose your forearm at the very least, if not your heart as well. If the Shadow prevails, on the other hand… well, I have no idea. It might saturate you, but not have any obvious ill effect." The cigar has a mildly fruity flavor, and isn't particularly oily. At least it doesn't taste like blood.

"Well, as long as I don't end up a zombie or worse, I suppose either fate isn't too horrible," Alptraum admits, though he doesn't sound particularly convinced of that. "I knew it was dangerous when I did it, but there wasn't another option at the time," he adds. "So … if the shadow wins, will I be of more interest to your group, the Prometheans? I guess I would certainly be a unique creature if that happened."

"We'd certainly like to study you, in either case, dead or alive or… other!" Twig says, then offers Alptraum a drink. "Brandy or Cognac? You seem like a Cognac man to me."

"Other? You think I would be something different from either dead or alive?" Alptraum asks, "As for a drink … I don't really know. I'll try the cognac."

Soon, a tumbler of golden liquid is in Alptraum's free hand. "Well, you probably wouldn't be undead," Twig suggests. "You could simply be a new sort of vampire. There are a few examples of 'other' out there. But that is really more of Bunny's bailiwick."

Alptraum sniffs the golden liquid, then takes a drink. Of course he coughs a few seconds later and has to compose himself. "Before I leave, do you want a completely new experience?" Alptraum asks, "I could ken you. And speaking of Bunny … what is it exactly that the Prometheans do, anyway? I've met her and she seemed … strange. I know Rose had some dealing with your group back in College … but not a whole lot more than that."

"Ah, we are a bit of an eclectic collection of specialties, admittedly," Twig says, swirling his drink and looking nostalgic. "Our main, overall thrust is the creation of life from non-living matter, although in practice we tend towards longevity and immortality research, including looking for a useful cure for death."

"Well, I don't think I told you, but the, ah, joining with the Shadow Dragon is likely going to extend my lifespan significantly," Alptraum remarks as he takes another drink. "How many members are there?"

"Well, that's not unusual in symbiotic possession cases," Twig notes with a nod (which makes the tassel on his fez switch sides). "There are four of us that I know of in Sylvania, but there may be others I'm not aware of. I'm pretty sure we are not the first incarnation of this particular group. There is myself, Bunny, Walt and Jules. Rose helped get us together, when we were mere undergraduates and she a graduate student under Professor Azrael."

"She learned from that crazy old coot?" Alptraum asks after almost spitting out his drink. "I guess he is also the, ah, sponsor?"

"Well, not the sole sponsor, to be sure, but certainly the one who arranged things for us," Twig says, and gestures with his cigar to the walls around them. "Like this castle, for instance, and the Igors."

"You're more trusting of him than I am, then," Alptraum admits, "He reminds me far too much of other creatures I have met."

"Really? He made quite the impression on us when we were all younger," Twig recollects. "Knew our families and predilections well. I suspect we all had sires or aunts and uncles who had been in the previous generation of Prometheans."

"He's a demon good at concealing himself," Alptraum remarks, "Though I do not know what his ultimate goal is. Still, he is being helpful for now, so I won't worry too much on it."

"I imagine he has his claws in many pots, as the saying goes," Dr. Twig notes, taking another languid puff of his cigar. "But he provides me with what I need to do my research, so I am willing to go along with it. He's never actually given me any tasks… unless this favor to you counts as one, eh?" he chuckles.

"It probably does," Alptraum replies with a fangy grin. "So long as he doesn't prove a threat to myself, Draco County, and Rose, then I do not think I will ever have to confront him on a matter. Which brings me to another topic … he wants something called the Reliquary of Saint Gorm from you. What exactly is that?"

"Oh yes! I never got it to work," Twig notes, and looks around as if searching. Finally he gets up, pushes some scrolls aside on a shelf, and retrieves something that looks a bit like a flat-sided storm lamp with smoked glass sides. "Here it is!" the vampire announces, and blows some dust off it. "St. Gorm was said to have the ability to call down lightning to smite the undead during the Necromancer Wars. Me, I figure he was an Air Mage or Wizard. This has his left hoof in it."

Alptraum extends his left hand. "Mind if I take a look at it?" he asks.

Twig sets it down, shifts his cigar to his mouth so he has both hands, and then unlatches the Reliquary for Alptraum before handing it over.

Alptraum sets aside his glass next to the holder where his cigar rests. He gently takes the reliquary into his hands and turns it this way and that as he looks over the strange thing. As he examines it, his vision slowly fades to the odd silvery world of the Barsunala … he wonders if there are any hints of supernatural taint on this thing.

There seems to be an enchantment on the holder itself, but he doesn't sense anything from inside of it.

"I don't sense anything special about it other than some sort of enchantment on the container," Alptraum concludes and sets it aside. "So … I expect that by itself it just doesn't do much. You are probably correct that he was a mage of some sort."

"Enchantment?" Twig asks. "Oh… probably to help preserve it then," he concludes, returning to his seat. "I take it you haven't met Walter or Julia yet, as far as our little group goes?"

"If I had, it would have just been in passing. What do they research?" Alptraum asks, then finishes off the remainder of his drink.

"Well, Walter Wendigo is into chimeras – that is, grafting bits of various creatures onto another one. He thinks that one day he'll have it perfected to where a person can swap out failing body parts for fresh ones from… well… animals," Twig notes, and offers Alptraum a refill. "I haven't heard from Julia Blatt in awhile, but that's not unusual. She doesn't have a castle for her research; she goes afield for it. Archaeology, you see."

"At least she stopped traveling with that crazed Akwavi fellow," Twig mutters.

Alptraum accepts the offer of a refill and holds out his glass. "I could show Julia a few places that would keep her busy for years," he says, "We found the lost Tomb of the Necromancers, where the Light of Nala was enshrined. Not to mention an old chapel and some interesting abandoned buildings in Babel."

"An old chapel?" Twig asks. "And the… is it the Well of Souls? Amazing! She might like the Well, as her specialty is pre-Necromancer artifacts and sites."

"The well, yes. We removed the Light, though. It is in a safe place now," Alptraum notes, "We also found the tomb of the last Necromancer queen was empty. Concerning, but … it was a long time ago. As for the chapel, just an abandoned one in the wilderness, the one where I found the dagger I carry."

"Where does this … 'Walter' live?" Alptraum asks.

"You may want to research that dagger a bit if you get the chance," Twig notes after refilling Alptraum's tumbler. "The Aelfin made the sword of the Necromancer King as well. Oh, Walter is set up in Draco County somewhere… Castle Franksenbiens or something. I'd have to ask Igorina, she handles the correspondence."

"Well, I will be going back to Ur soonish, I may detour and visit the Aelfin," Alptraum says and bobs his head. Another sip and he continues, "I seem to attract odd people and find odder places. I was once kidnapped by a Savanite cult. They tried to feed me to a crystal hand. I escaped and had to run through town in a dress. Then in Babel I was invited to a party thrown by none other than Vizier Thath himself. Of all the people I have met, he scares me the most."

"Well… I'm sure you looked… good… in the dress?" Twig says, looking a bit uncertain about it. "I've never been to Babel myself. Didn't think they cared for our kind, you know. But then, you don't have the Mark of Diphath or whatever they call it."

"They don't care much for vampires, no. It is hard to tell that I am, so I was able to visit mostly unscathed," Alptraum says. "Babel is … a mess. At least Sylvania has obvious monsters, Babel's hides."

"Well, I wouldn't say we have monsters here, precisely," Twig comments, and sips his drink. "I've never met one, myself."

"Yes you have," Alptraum notes.

"Now now, Igorina can be aggressive at times, but I'd hardly call her a monster," Twig jokes.

"I meant me," Alptraum jokes right back and for a moment, his voice shifts to that of the Barsunala…

"Oh?" Twig asks, looking surprised. "How many villages have you terrorized?"

"Well … maybe one if I combined all the villages I visited," Alptraum admits. "I'm a lousy monster."

"I must admit I do enjoy terrorizing Gallesians. Or at least annoying them," Alptraum adds.

"Aha! See, you're falling into the Gallisian Fallacy," Twig intones, holding his cigar high. "Actions, and actions alone, make a monster. Doesn't matter what they look like or how they're made, only how they act."

"And it is fun to make them squirm, I admit… " Twig adds with a wink.

"Yes, yes it is. I quite enjoy it," Alptraum says and grins. "My dislike of them has only increased after being with Rose, I must admit. They have caused her much pain."

"At least it takes them time to mount attacks on Draco," Twig notes with a nod. "The areas to the south are… well, a mess. Now that they're in the hands of the Gallisians, it's probably only a matter of time before they turn on the Marquis for granting them such horrible landholds. Or swampholds."

"I can only hope that is the case. I don't remember if I have mentioned it, but I work for Draco County now in some capacity. I intend to try to help strengthen and defend it," Alptraum notes. "I wasn't asked, I just … offered. The Countess was inspiring."

"She certainly is!" Twig says, and holds up his glass. "To the Countess Rose!"

Alptraum raises his glass. "To the Countess!" he repeats. "And speaking of her … tell me all the embarrassing stories about her from her college years." He grins.

"Oh my, those generally were embarrassing for me," Twig admits after draining half his glass. "Rose was always the elegant lady to me, but I heard stories about her and the girls doing pub-crawls after curfew. I never saw her look out of sorts in the morning though."

"I've heard mention of her drinking. She apparently enjoyed many a bottle of cheap wine," Alptraum says with a short laugh. "I often wonder how I ended up where I am now. I never had any formal education, I'm just a gypsy. And here I am dining with people of education and elegance. I feel like the proverbial Rughrat wearing lipstick as a disguise."

"Though, I guess there's irony in that too, since the gypsy was supposed to be the disguise. My actual birth lineage is … significant," Alptraum adds and then downs half of his own drink.

"A gypsy!" Twig blurts out. "You must have been all over the place, seen every town and village? Wooed many a local girl?"

"I've been all over most of Sylvania, avralie. As for wooing girls? Ah, not so much. My dear friend Hexen would sabotage that. All because I would sabotage him. Now, I ask you, is that fair?" Alptraum asks with a bemused smirk.

"Well, I grew up with a sabotaging sister myself," Twig admits. "So can sympathize." He swirls the remains of his drink, then raises his glass once more. "To Igorina!"

"To Igorina!" Alptraum offers. "You know, that girl is very strange. She somehow manages to creep me out… "

"Her laugh is a bit abrasive, but she is very attentive and gentle when needed," Twig says. "And absolutely delicious."

"Her laugh reminds me of Bunny's servant," Alptraum admits, "Which is creepy in itself. But yes, I have to admit, she tastes good. It's almost good enough to make you forget she's really the one in charge, doesn't it?"

"Well, someone has to keep us guys out of trouble," Twig notes with another wink. "I assume you travel for the County, or do you have a residence?"

"I have a room in Draco Castle," Alptraum says as he finishes off his cigar finally. "That's the closest thing I have to a home."

"Ah, so you don't need anyone to control you then?" Twig says with a chuckle. "How's the nightlife?"

"At the castle? Unusual. We currently have a live-in Yodhinala and a Yodhgorphat," Alptraum admits with a grin. "I attract strange people… "

"Now… that is an interesting combination, to say the least," Twig responds, one eyebrow arched. "From Babel?"

"Yes. One is an old friend. Well, probably the only friend I had in Babel," Alptraum admits, "The other follows me because she wants something. I'll eventually figure out what she wants before it dooms us all."

"Oh, we're all doomed by women eventually," Twig notes. "If we're lucky."

At that, Alptraum laughs. "Ah, strange question … did you ever meet Rose's father?" he asks.

"Only at his funeral," Twig notes, a bit sadly. "There was a lot of talk about formally going to war with Gallis. Even hiring the Bloodfurs to get revenge."

"I wish I would have met him. I wish I would have met her first husband, too," Alptraum admits and sighs, "But then I guess I would know how little I measure up." He finishes his second drink, then asks, "Who are the Bloodfurs? The only reference I have for that name is a story about diminutive monsters who kill under the shadow of darkness."

"They're diminutive monsters that kill under the shadow of darkness," Twig claims. "You hear little stories about them now and then, in places the Gallisians have abandoned. Usually all along the lines of a young Korv fleeing when the invaders come, and going to get help. Then sometime later, everyone wakes up to find the soldiers stationed in their homes without their heads or something."

"Creepy," Alptraum says and shudders. "How do you contact them?"

"I think the real Bloodfurs are found in Stonebarrow," Twig replies, then rubs his nose. "No idea if they're like the stories. If they were, who would want to hire them? They seem scarier than the Gallisians."

Alptraum sputters. "Wait, what? Stonebarrow?" he asks. "I've been there. There is no way it can be full of monsters! It's a town of tiny people that are disturbingly … cute."

"What sort of people?" Twig asks.

"Lapis and Skeeks for the most part. And oh, yeah, Kadies," Alptraum recounts. "They even have a Gallesian Lord … but the Countess supposedly turned him into a hog."

"Bunny never mentions them much in her letters," Twig notes. "Oh, Kadies. That explains everything!"

"It does?" Alptraum asks.

Alptraum remembers something. "I bet Bunny adored you," he says with an impish grin.

"Ah, there are towns where just mentioning the word will get children pulled off the streets and doors and windows barred, even though none have been seen for generations," Twig notes. "The old legend is that a horde of Kadies hacked their way across half of Sylvania on a march from Tursdi. I guess they ended up in Stonebarrow."

"But they're small and fluffy!" Alptraum says, "Hardly threatening… "

"So are fuff'nars," Twig notes with a grin. "There are lots of things in Sylvania that don't look threatening. I wish I could have seen the first Gallisian soldiers to come across Vorpal Bunnies or Dire Deer… "

Alptraum smirks. "Okay, there you have a point. I imagine that would have been hysterical," he admits. "And so, I have to ask … did Bunny ever flirt with you? She has a thing for vampires… "

"When we were in school together, I honestly thought she preferred women," Twig notes with a chuckle. "We had a friendly rivalry, more like siblings. With both vied for Rosalind's time."

"Wait, what? She flirted with Rose?" Alptraum asks as his jaw hangs open. "Rose never seemed the type!"

"I didn't say she flirted with her," Twig laughs! "Goodness… Bunny got her nickname from being so shy and timid! We all looked up to Rose is all. I had a crush on her, Bunny wanted to be her."

"Hm. I wonder if that ever bothered Rose. When I met her, she seemed very lonely," Alptraum notes.

"She was very vivacious before she became the Countess," Twig says, and sighs. "Suddenly having all of that weight and power dropped on her, when she just wanted to go around and study regional spirits and talk to witches… "

"I've helped with that some, I think. I treat her like a regular woman; not someone to be feared," Alptraum says as he stretches his legs out and wiggles his toes. "I take it she studied how Sylvanian witches develop? I can understand the interest since that runs in her family."

"It was her major field," Twig notes. "She even practiced some before she became Countess. Her concoctions were pretty popular. Come to think of it… maybe that's why I never saw her with a hangover?"

"What did she make? I've seen her craft some weird green goo … but it wasn't for hangovers… " Alptraum says.

"Well, being a man, I wasn't all that privy to her potions," Twig notes, "but I suspect 'love potions' were very popular among the girls. They're apparently difficult, as Bunny had very odd results when she tried mixing up her own."

"I think the Yodhinala beats any love potion Rose could make," Alptraum says and coughs, "What happened with Bunny's attempt? And, uh, who did she use it on?"

"She used it on herself, of course," Twig notes with a chuckle. "I think it was supposed to make her more confident. I always though alcohol worked fine for that. Instead it made her hang from the ceiling for a week, because if she tried to stand right-side-up she kept falling over."

Alptraum covers his mouth to stifle the oncoming laugh! It actually takes him about two minutes to stop laughing to boot. "I probably shouldn't tell you this … but I sort of seduced Bunny," he admits with a sheepish grin. "Her reaction to me was … well … it encouraged my upbringing!"

"Ah, well, you are the Barsunala," Twig notes. "You probably have a supernatural aura they find compelling – especially Eeee women. Did you not know any in your gypsy days?"

"Not many," Alptraum admits, "We traveled a lot. Mainly because after the group did enough pick pocketing we would be run out of town… "

"Ah, surely that changed when you got to Babel?" Twig asks.

"Yes … but most were terrified of me," Alptraum says. "My best friend was a Yodhgorphat."

"I was not a ladies' man at school, myself," Twig notes. "The vampire allure only goes so far, when there are lots of vampires to choose from."

"It's more trouble that it is worth," Alptraum notes, "Particularly if you get the crazy ones… "

"Speaking of crazy, I could send a few Yodhblakat over… " Alptraum offers.

"How many Yodh did you bring back with you, anyway?" Twig has to ask, leaning forward.

"None. I ran into them here. Er, well, the kidnapped me here," Alptraum explains. "Of course when I flexed my power! Or … or well, outsmarted them, they accepted I was 'in charge'. I try to keep them out of trouble and the people near them safe."

"For example … the Yodhblakat are currently terrorizing Gallesian ships," Alptraum says with a huge grin.

"There's a whole gang of them?" Twig asks in awe. "I really need to get out of the castle more often… "

"On the coastline of Draco County, yes. A dozen or so?" Alptraum explains, "Lead by one named Barba. Strange woman, but I like her. There is also Roogi. She's about as intelligent as sausage, but she can be funny at times. Well, I guess funny to me. I have a strange sense of humor… "

"You'd be surprised what sausage can accomplish when the right amount of amperage is applied," Twig notes. "So, you certainly associate with unusual women, to be sure. Your men friends must balance it out by being exceptionally stable, I hope?"

"That would be, ah … Arkold, Hexen, and you," Alptraum admits. "I actually do not have many close friends."

"My closest friend is … Rose," Alptraum also admits. "She knows more about me than anyone else."

"Well, I'm honored to be included in the list then!" Twig says. "You should call me by my given name then, I suppose. It's Thelonius. Or as young children cruelly pronounced it, 'the looniest'."

"My name means Nightmare. That's not much better! My Babelite name would have likely been Rikat, or so I was told," Alptraum says, "And pleasure to meet you, Thelonius. If you ever want to visit Draco County, I can arrange for a place for you to stay, I think."

"I really should check in on Rose again; it's been years!" Twig admits. "Maybe I can get Bunny and the others to come as well… "

"If you like I can pass on the request to her. She might appreciate it," Alptraum offers. "I know she adored the night I made her promise she would not be the Countess. She needs a chance to be more normal now and then … with people who know her. To the rest of the world, well, she has to remain terrifying and spooky to protect her lands."

"Oh, she could be terrifying and spooky well before she was the Countess," Twig jokes. "She had a look that just made you want to crawl under rock… or feel like she thought you just crawled OUT from under one."

"Really? When did she use that?" Alptraum asks.

"Well, there were a lot of suitors she had to fend off," Twig notes. "Daughter of the Count and all. She had other ways of 'winnowing the herd' as she called it, like really playing up her vampire aspect on the non-vampiric lads who thought they had a chance."

"And oh, ah, I have a favor to ask of you," Alptraum admits, "Can you teach me how to seem more … regal? I need to learn how to act more like a proper vampire noble."

"Oh, and you want to emulate me?" Twig asks, sounding pleased (and a little drunk). "Well, you must dress the part, of course. The uniform commands respect, as they say. And always seem slightly bored around other nobles – as if you have much more interesting things you could be doing, but are doing them a favor instead by gracing them with your presence… "

"You're a lot more regal than the other men I know, who are often vomiting in a barrel after too much drinking," Alptraum admits, then hiccups himself. "So … dress the part, right. But … is that hat necessary?"

"Hat? Oh, this?" Twig notes, taking the hat down. He turns it around so Alptraum can see inside: Oscar the electric lizard is curled up asleep in it. "Well, it's not required, but does have it's uses… "

"Oh, it is a lizard holder!" Alptraum says and hiccups again. "I bet I could keep Kaira in there, but she would chew on my head." He also can't help but look at his empty glass and the half-empty bottle they have been nursing. "You know, it would be a pity of we didn't finish that bottle. A travesty, in fact. It'll just spoil being exposed to air and all. So … why don't you tell me the harrowing tail of how you got your lizard and we'll toast to its adventure!" Okay, so the Eeee still doesn't hold his drink well. He's going to have a lovely headache in the morning…