Sleep doesn't leave Alptraum easily; nor does he seem to wish to leave it. The past several hours the Eeee has spent inside the realms within the dagger tending to his draconic friend, Kaira. Well, if tending means shifting himself to match her form as close as he can manage to engaging in interesting, and educational for the both of them, intimate physical explorations. But, he must return to the real world and deal with many issues at hand. Still, he mutters softly as he awakes, "Now I see why dragons expect worship."

After a few blinks, Alptraum slips from his hanging perch and then stretches and yawns widely. Talking to himself and scratching his chest lazily, he mutters, "I should look in on Lilith. I haven't seen her for a while and I rather miss her. After that, I'll check on my Yodhinala and get that physical." Of course, it's about then that he sees himself in one of the mirrors. He's a complete mess, with his long white hair tangled and going every which way not to mention his disastrous-looking black fur. "Riiiight after a bath," he decides.

So, whistling an old Sylvanian tune, Alptraum draws himself some bath water. As the tub fills, he pulls the glove off his right hand and sets it to the side. With the few minutes he has, the Eeee carefully inspects between the plates for any fungus and thankfully finds none. He pauses there, and then peers at his right hand. Curiosity getting the better of him, he turns it over and nips a fingertip, then licks the droplet of blood that forms. And within a second of doing that, he's spitting and grimacing. "Yes, my blood still tastes disgusting," he grumbles. And yet, he pats the chitinous covering almost affectionately before at last easing into the hot bathwater with a contented sigh.

Bathing takes a bit of time now. The Eeee having gotten used to actually using soap and shampoo to clean his fur and thick white mane of hair. But eventually, he finishes and steps from the tub. Midway through drying, he pauses, and then wraps the towel around his neck. He heads over and picks up the spirit blade he always keeps close and turns it over in his hand slowly. "Maybe we should try to stay closer so you know more of what goes on," he muses. Positioning the tip of the dagger over the slot in his right hand, he draws a breath then slides the blade deep into his forearm, only stopping when the hilt locks against the gauntlet with a click.

The breath leaves him as a hiss as the icy tendrils spread out and flow through his forearm. To the Eeee it always feels as if his blood goes ice cold when the blade enters and he can feel every vein and artery in that hand. "Of course, what I'm really feeling is Vorgulremik's blood mixing with mine," he realizes with a shudder, "Sometimes I have to wonder why I willingly insert things into my body like this, but oh well." He taps the white oval on the back of his hand, asking, "Kaira, can you hear me?"

"I can hear you," comes the dragon's voice in Alptraum's head. "Trying to conserve what energy is left in the hand. Otherwise you'll need to find another hog."

"Right. I was … well, thinking I should keep you more aware of what is going on out here. So I'll be keeping the blade slotted more often," Alptraum explains as he starts to dress. "Plus, it'll give you a chance to spy on Mave. I'll be speaking with her in a bit."

"Speaking with her?" Kaira asks. "Does this mean I get to watch you wear yourself out again already?" the voice teases.

"Of course not. This is just a planning meeting, to see what I need to prepare for her," Alptraum teases back. "Besides, I just had a rather enjoyable few hours with someone."

"Time is relative in the dagger," Kaira points out. "Hehe… I can feel it when you touch things with your right hand you know."

"Well … in any event, how is my life energy level looking?" Alptraum inquires. "And that's dangerous for me to know. Pester me and I'll stick my hand in something gross."

"Can't measure your energy, but the hand is at about ten percent I'd guess. Not enough for a major manifestation on my part, but fine for communication."

"So, uh, before I head out," Alptraum says as he tightens his belt, "You're … okay with what we did? It won't change things between us?"

"Change things like what?" the dragon asks. "Just because I said that I'd do anything you asked doesn't mean you're in charge, you know!"

"Right. Just making sure," Alptraum comments and grins ear to ear, "That's my dragon." He rubs the underside of his hand for a bit, checking to see if the continual cold feeling is his hand actually being … cold … or just an internal sensation. "But, before we drop in on my Yodhinala, I want to check up on Lilith and torment her a bit."

"Where you like this before the Shadow-fusion?" Kaira asks. "And stop trying to tickle me, please."

"Like what?" Alptraum asks as he pulls on his final garment, his jacket.

At least the scales don't feel cold to the touch. The coolness is probably a nerve-related issue.

"So interested in tormenting women," Kaira asks. "Unless you're just trying to balance things out?"

"I torment my friends, not just women," Alptraum clarifies, "It's how they know they're my friends." And with that, he slips out of his room and looks for a page to ask about Lilith.

"Wow, so you've really loved me all this time then?" Kaira asks. The first page Alptraum comes across seems to mutter through some mnemonic phrases, and then points the bat down the hall to where some of the smaller residential rooms are.

"Are you saying my visits were torment for you?" Alptraum asks when he's far enough down the residential wing so that the page can't hear. As he gets close to the doors, he looks for a nameplate or some other indication of which room is which.

The doors aren't labeled as such, but one has a chalk drawing of a smiling white bat face with a crown of black hair. "No, it's just the way you teased me all the time," Kaira notes.

Alptraum presses an ear to the door to listen. "Oh, that … well, it was to show you that you're my friend, yes," he thinks, "You are important to me, even if frustrating."

The sound of running water can be heard from beyond the door.

Alptraum tests to see if the door is open. "Let's see if I can surprise her… " he thinks.

The door is, unsurprisingly, latched on the side. "Need a hand?" Kaira offers.

"Maybe. Let's see if I still have the skill, Alptraum thinks. He kneels down and tries to call up his shadow just enough to form a small spike he can use to try and pick the lock.

It doesn't take too much effort now to form the spike. Maybe Kaira's attendance makes a difference in controlling the Shadow.

Alptraum tries to see if he can still pick locks. He does start feeling a bit of guilt though as he wonders if maybe he's interrupting something he shouldn't be.

"It's not like you haven't seen her naked before," Kaira points out. "Remember when the Yodhblakat held you captive?" Pick pick pick. Click. Something tumbles in the lock.

"Yes, but … this is sort of invading her privacy," Alptraum thinks. When it clicks, he listens to the door again. If it doesn't sound like anyone else is in there, he'll try the door.

The only sound still is that of running water.

Alptraum tries to ease the door open and peek in.

The door opens a crack, revealing a much smaller room than the one he has. There's a bathroom at the far end, apparently, since steam can be seen billowing through the open door to it. Lilith must be taking a shower. At least she isn't singing though.

Alptraum slinks across the room, trying to get a look in the bathroom. Looking for Lilith's shadow, or even the sound of her voice.

There's definitely a silhouette of someone in the shower. A gauzy, waterproofed curtain circles it, since the bathroom is too small to have a tub in it.

Having a sudden attack of paranoia that maybe this isn't Lilith's room, he puts his back to the wall so he's not looking through the doorway, then raps on it with a knuckle, "Lilith?" he calls out, "Are you in there? Or, er, did I get the wrong room?"

"Auuugh!" screams a female voice, and drenched Lilith sticks her head out of the shower. "Who's there?" she asks. Her hair is matted down across her face though, so it's unlikely she could see who was there.

"It's Alptraum," Alptraum calls back, "I, er, well, I came to surprise you … but I couldn't verify it was you and I didn't want to surprise someone I didn't know! Sorry, I just … had this urge to make you jump and maybe laugh. Bad idea, I know. Sorry."

"What?" the bat says, then disappears back into the curtains. The water stops flowing a moment later. "Hand me a towel?" Lilith asks through the curtains again.

Alptraum slips into the bathroom again and looks for a towel. Finding one, he offers it over the curtain.

Shoop! The towel is yanked down from the other side, with a bit too much force unfortunately. The wooden ring that the curtain hangs from comes loose from its mount and falls straight to the basin with a thud, leaving Lilith with a towel over her head and wet fur everywhere else. "What was that noise?!" she says.

"Uh, the curtain rod just fell," Alptraum answers quite honestly as he's staring at a very naked, and wet, Eeee. "I think I should wait outside the room, shouldn't I?"

"Wait!" Lilith calls out. "I need another towel! And you can dry my wings I guess."

"Smooooooth," Kaira whispers into Alptraum's mind. "And this is the one you couldn't seduce, right?"

"You don't mind?" Alptraum asks, just to be sure, as he fetches another couple towels. "Shut up," he thinks. One towel he hands to Lilith. The other he holds onto to dry her wings.

"No sense crying over spilt blood," Lilith says as she appears to be trying to scrub her scalp off from the effort she's giving it. She leaves the towel twisted around her head for now, and gropes blindly until Alptraum hands her the next one. She starts by drying her armpits. "So, what brings you by?" she asks as she turns to present her wings.

Alptraum dutifully begins to dry her wings. "Well, I missed you. I haven't seen you for a bit and just wanted to stop by," he explains. "Of course, stopping by was also coupled with trying to startle you. This wasn't exactly how I intended to do it, though."

"I was sort of startled," Lilith admits, wrapping the second towel around herself rather than try and really dry herself off at this point. "I never thought of you as a peeper! Although you sound like I startled you instead."

"I'm not! Why did you think I called out to you instead of just walking in," Alptraum points out, looking a bit embarrassed. "If you had been dressed and I could have managed it, I would have snuck up behind you and hugged you, then whispered something silly in your ear like 'Fear the shadow!'" He tries to grin.

Lilith looks back over her shoulder, now that her hair is out of her eyes. "Fear the shadow? Okay… I actually prefer what really happened to that I think," she notes with a grin, and heads out to the bedroom. "So you just came because you missed me? That's it? Why the sudden urge to see me naked again?"

"I wasn't trying to see you naked," Alptraum says with a sigh and rubs his forehead and heads out into the bedroom as well. "And yes, I came because I missed you. Am I not allowed to miss my friends?"

Lilith tosses a towel over Alptraum's head, and says, "Hold that thought, I need to finish drying off." There follows the sounds of… towels and fur.

"Feh," Alptraum thinks, "So much for being funny."

"I thought it was funny," Kaira remarks.

"How's the shadow training been going with the Countess?" Lilith asks as she does whatever she does hidden from Alptraum's sight.

"That's because you hate me," Alptraum thinks. To Lilith, he says, "It's been going pretty well, I think. It's taking work, but I'm managing it." Pausing for a moment, he asks, "Have you seen the Countess much?"

"Not recently, but I've been busy with… another project," Lilith notes, and then whips the towel off of Alptraum's face. She's more or less dressed now in her usual 'Castle' garb – a blouse, over-vest and knee-length skirt. She sits on the edge of the bed and starts brushing out her hair now. "I hear there is a Reaper following you around now," she comments.

"Oh, yes, him. He thinks I'm a threat to all life or something," Alptraum says with another sigh. He then walks over and sits beside Lilith. He actually takes her brush away and starts brushing her hair for her. "I'm guessing you can't tell me about the other project."

"You guess correctly," Lilith says with a smirk. "And are you saying that you aren't a threat to all life?"

"I'm not sure asking me that right now is a good idea," Alptraum notes, "Because I do. I've been having a lot of doubts about a lot of things."

"Doubts?" Lilith asks. "It's not like you have anything to actually worry about. Aren't you just trying to… you know… with the Countess?"

"I want to be more than just … that," Lilith," Alptraum says, then pauses to rub his forehead again. "And you can't repeat this outside of this room, okay?" There's another pause and the next sentence seems to be extremely hard for Alptraum to manage out, "I'm falling in love with her, Lilith."

"You think that's a secret?" Lilith asks, sounding a bit surprised. "I mean, from the first interview with her it was pretty obvious… "

"Yes, well. She also deserves better than me," Alptraum adds with a small shrug. After resuming the brushing of Lilith's hair, he asks, "So, I guess everyone knows, then?"

"Believe it or not, the Countess' love life is not something spoken of in the mess hall or guard-rooms," Lilith claims. "I know because I was there, Alptraum."

"Oh, I … eh, never mind," Alptraum says, "I'm just an idiot."

"I'd think the wild night of passion would be a giveaway," Kaira whispers to Alptraum. "And the fuzzy nightgown you wore to breakfast."

"Does it really worry you, Alptraum?" Lilith asks. "Or just that… well… she might not love you back as much?"

"It's more complicated than that," Alptraum answers and shrugs again. "I don't even know what to say. I'd give her the world if I could. I'd give her back her husband if I could. But any time I start thinking about … me and just maybe … I feel guilty. Like I'm doing this for her because I want something from her. I don't. I mean, I do but … I don't want it to seem the only reason I'm doing things for her."

"Ultimately, I just want her happy," Alptraum admits.

"Yeah, you're in love," Lilith says, and pats Alptraum consolingly on the shoulder. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No. I was planning to check up on Mave after visiting with you," Alptraum says, "I hadn't even thought about eating yet."

"Oh? What do you need to see her about?" Lilith asks.

"First, just to keep an eye on her. Second, to find out more about what she expects from me," Alptraum answers. "Third, just a medical exam to make sure I'm not, uh, damaged."

"Damaged from what?" Lilith asks, looking shocked. "The Countess isn't that rough!"

"No, but Phlagaea is a bit strange. She was feeling really lonely, so she and I spent a rather … " Alptraum starts to say, "Well, unusual evening together. I've been exposed to a few of her rituals."

"Ummm… " Lilith begins to say, and then scoots a little further away from Alptraum. "What sort of rituals?" she asks.

"She's hoping I can get her pregnant," Alptraum admits and rubs the back of his neck. "So, things to help try and enhance that."

"Tell her the bit about Melusine snipping off your manhood," Kaira suggests. "That could still surprise her!"

"After all you've gone through, I hope you aren't sterile by now," Lilith says. "But I agree that Mave is probably the one best suited to check you out. But if she finds anything, you know you'll have to go back to Phlagaea to have it treated, right?"

"Yes, I know," Alptraum says and holds his head. "See, this is why I'm an idiot. I try to help people, but it never really works out."

"I'm not sure what you did to Phlagaea strictly counts as 'helping', Alptraum," Lilith says, and stands up. "I need to bite something. Sure you don't want any breakfast before Mave… examines you?"

"Yes, I should eat something," Alptraum says and stands. "What I did was try to make her feel less lonely. What she did, she did as a surprise. I had no idea that was what she wanted," he adds as he heads for the door. He pauses at the door, then asks, "What do you think of me?"

"I'm not ready to start a family," Lilith notes. "But, I am impressed by your lock-picking skills."

"I'm not asking you to start a family. I meant do you think I'm a generally good person? Or am I more of a joke? You really think that's all I'm after?" Alptraum says, sighs, then opens the door. "I'll see you later."

"Oh, I'm just teasing you," Lilith says. "Don't be so moody! You're a fine guy, just a little… wishy-washy at times. You need to be more assertive."

"Assertive at what?" Alptraum asks, looking a bit confused. "In saying what I want?"

"Well, stop worrying about what everyone else thinks of you, and act on how you want to be seen," Lilith suggests. "Make the impression you want to make."

"What certain people think of me matters to me. But, fair enough," Alptraum says, holding the door open. "Still want to get breakfast?"

"Of course!" Lilith says.

"Then come on," Alptraum says, brow-arched, "Or I'm going to close this door and jam the lock. Wishy-washy, indeed."

"Just saying," Lilith says. "You seemed poised to sweep me off my feet during that dinner date. Isn't that also what you want to do for the Countess?"

"You also ultimately didn't seem like you wanted me to," Alptraum points out, "Or I would have, Lilith; I don't force people. If I misread you, then I'm sorry."

"Come on… I think they've got fresh rabbits today," Lilith says. "And trust me, Rosalind does want to be swept off her feet."

"You see, that's the trouble with you being a spy. You don't do very well, either, at showing how you feel," Alptraum tells Lilith and puts his arm around her as the two leave. "I never got the feeling you wanted me to do more on that date, or I would have. But … I can't dwell on that. And if you're mad that I didn't … then we had probably talk about that later, deal? Anyway, food. Might as well get embarrassed on a full stomach."

---

Breakfast goes well. Perhaps having some food helps push Alptraum away from being moody. In any event, by the end of the meal he's laughing and teasing Lilith as much as she teases him. But … as with all things, he can't avoid seeing Mave forever … so, the Eeee finds himself escorting the spy back to her room. He stops outside … and there manages to get her back to the wall with one of his hands on each side of her. "All right, now … I have a few things I have to say to you about your wishy-washy comment," he says, his expression shifting a bit more dark and serious.

Lilith blinks in surprise at being pinned in. "W-what?" she asks.

Alptraum leans in, brow sharp and angry. And then, his brow waggles and he says in a completely dorky accent, "Fear the shadow! Rowr!" Those pinning arms sweep down and as Alptraum starts tickling her, he glomps his mouth onto her neck and starts making 'RRrrRrrRr!' noises. Of course, he's not actually biting or anything.

The white bat eeeps and squirms! "Ack, I give I give!" she wails. "I fear the shadow already!"

There's a last surge of tickling, and then he relents and ends up just hugging on Lilith, laughing. "I couldn't resist," he wheezes between laughs. As he pulls back, he licks her nose, then says, "Thanks for giving me a kick in the butt."

"Sure," Lilith gasps, still catching her breath. "I think that you need to date some more though, to get your confidence up."

Alptraum's eyebrow goes up, and he asks with a grin, "That an offer?" He then taps a clawtip on her nose and adds, "I already have plans for a dinner with the Countess I think she'll really like. I just need to enlist the help of a few people, like Barnabas, to set it up."

"Barnabas, eh?" Lilith asks, grinning. "I guess you made a good impression on him then, if he shares information on Rosalind."

"I know he wants her to not be alone as much, and I know he can help me arrange what I want without the Countess knowing about it," Alptraum notes and rolls the fingers of his right hand. "And aside from that dinner, I fully intend to make sure she spends as day as Rosalind. No Countess, no duties. Of course, she may have to meet my adoptive parents that day … which might be a bit, ah, trying."

"They don't like the Countess?" Lilith asks. "Aren't they gypsies?"

"They are distrustful of anyone in power. So … they don't exactly know the woman who holds my heart is also the Countess. They just know she works in the castle," Alptraum admits sheepishly.

"Oh! And does Rosalind know any of this yet?" Lilith asks with perked eyebrows.

"She'll find out about it at dinner," Alptraum says, "And if she doesn't want to, that's fine too. I'm not going to force her. Ultimately, I don't care if my parents disapprove. Who I pursue is my choice."

"I just don't want them to judge her by her title. I want them to know the woman first, and her duties later," Alptraum adds.

"I suppose you're still at that stage too," Lilith notes. "Learning about her, that is."

"Yes, I am," Alptraum says, leaning on the wall. "We're both still learning about each other. But, it has been an enjoyable journey so far. I wish things weren't so complicated, but … I'll work through it. I'm not about to give up on her."

"Complicated because of politics, you mean?" Lilith asks, with a knowing tone of voice. "They complicate everything."

"Yes," Alptraum agrees and rubs at the back of his chitinous hand. "And there's also Melusine. I'm at least on her good side, as much as I can be, I think. In any event, I'll work with the politics. Yes, it will be hard, but … I want to be with her. I'll learn politics if I must, and how to dance in them. Maybe some of my father's knack passed to me, eh? Well, hopefully not the evil part."

"I can help you with politics," Kaira whispers to Alptraum. "I'm very diplomatic!"

"Hmmm, maybe I can get my mother to give you a briefing on the local lords and ladies then," Lilith suggests. "She handles all of that internal spying stuff."

"Helping deal with the elves in the dagger should help prepare me too, I hope," Alptraum thinks. To Lilith, he nods and smiles, "Basic information on them would be helpful, yes. And oh! The necklace I'm to return belongs to Duchess Eve. Does Draco County have any diplomatic relationships with them?"

"Blackshire County is fairly small, but has outsized influence because of the railroad," Lilith says. "The Countess herself is just a girl though. She doesn't get invited to functions where she'll be exposed to harsher aspects of politics."

"Well, do you think it would be worthwhile to craft a letter I could deliver to them along with the necklace?" Alptraum offers, "To start talking alliance between the counties, perhaps? Maybe a rail line could be extended into Draco County. It would improve the flow of trade."

"I think they were considering extending the rail from Justininople to Northern Shore, but most trade in Eastern Sylvania is done on the rivers. The Eastern Swamp makes it problematical to maintain even a road, much less a railroad."

"Well, it's a thought, anyway. Should I mention the idea to the Countess to at least think on? I have to head that way anyway at some point, so if I can tend to Draco County business, even if as a letter carrier, I'd be happy to do it," Alptraum offers.

"Well, it doesn't hurt to show interest in such things," Lilith notes with a grin. "I know there is the possibility of an air route for trade, according to Rosalind. She still corresponds with an old friend of her's near Stonebarrow who talks about work in that area."

"Stonebarrow? I've been there. You must mean Bunny," Alptraum says with a huge grin.

Lilith nods. "You've met Bunny Pike then?"

"You could say that … " Alptraum admits and looks at the ceiling. "Let's just say she got a vampire fantasy fulfilled."

"Mmm," is all Lilith says to that, but one eyebrow remains raised all the same.

"I entertain people," Alptraum offers by way of explanation. "Anyway … I should quit delaying going to see the Yodhinala. Thanks for the talk; you've given me some ideas to think on. I need to make a list of all my allies, friends, and places I know that might benefit the Countess if we could leverage them."

"You don't have to prove your worth like that, you know," Lilith reminds Alptraum. "So if you do it… it might be best to do so quietly."

"I know I don't. I'm just trying to think of anything I can do," Alptraum says as he pushes off the wall. "I first need to learn what she would want from me the most."

"Why the most?" Lilith asks.

"As a starting point," Alptraum answers. "And there is one thing I know I will be doing."

"Practicing with your shadow?" Lilith guesses.

"Wrong. Treating her as a woman," Alptraum answers with a grin.

"Are you still going to flirt and tease like you do with other women then?" Lilith asks with a grin.

"Only in private, and if I think she would appreciate it," Alptraum answers. "I do pay attention to my audience. So, tell me, from what you know, do you think she would appreciate it?"

"Anything to make her feel normal would be appreciated I think," Lilith notes. "Or young, for that matter."

"Oh, I appreciate her," Alptraum says and coughs. "And her body."

"Young at heart, I meant," Lilith says, poking Alptraum in the chest. "She's older than her physical age, after all. So she still feels old."

"I know! Hence why I also want her to take a day off and just go have some fun with me. I want to give her some of the moments she lost when she took up her title," Alptraum says and rubs his chest. "Now, I really should go check on Mave before it gets much later and she gets too busy doing … whatever she does during the day."

"Okay, run along  to your Yodhinala," Lilith says, making shooing motions with her fingers. "And good luck on the test results."

Before Alptraum goes, he pokes Lilith's nose. "And you, I expect you to keep in touch and go do fun things with Tulani and I sometime. Otherwise, I'll hunt you down," he says with a grin, "and next time … not knock."

"Hmmph," Lilith says playfully, and then slips into her room.

---

Alptraum's walk back to Mave's suite is a bit slow. He is rather nervous to visit her for a full physical. At least he can distract himself with asking about plans for her time with him as a 'Barinala'. When he gets to her door, he raps his knuckles on it, then asks, "Yodhinala Mave? Do you have time for a visit from me?"

"Come right in, Alptraum," Mave replies from within the room.

Alptraum opens the door and slips inside. "Ah, good. Thank you," he says as he looks around for the Yodhinala.

By luck or design, Mave managed to get the largest room in the shared suite. Besides a bedroom, there is an office and tiled bathroom sporting a large, sunken tub. Everything Mave has carried from Babel is on display, from the portable shrine in one corner (now featuring the sculpture of herself that was done in Gromit) to Babelite tapestries hanging from the walls. Standing wardrobes are full of numerous Temple costumes, and the office area has been given over to a small alchemy lab – but larger than the table she and Phlagaea share in the Wizardry lab. The priestess herself is sitting cross-legged atop the bed, perusing a scroll (and with several more in a pile next to her). As she rolls it up, she asks, "What can I do for the Barsunala?"

"Well, I was hoping you would perform an extensive examination of me in preparation for spending my time as your Barinala," Alptraum explains as he walks over to the bed and sits down next to her. "I was part of a couple of Phlagaea's rituals and wish to make sure I do not carry any of Gorphat's blessings upon me when I shift for you." He pauses there as he scratches at an ear, then says, "I also want to know how you would like me to prepare for that day? I understand how you wish me colored and that you wish my dragon to tend to you, but are there any other requests or requirements you would have on a Barinala in attendance of you?"

"You need only do what I ask of you," Mave notes, and then nods. "I had sensed a somewhat amateurish attempt at invoking Inala that night. Remove your clothes please, and lie on the bed," she requests, moving aside her scrolls.

Alptraum goes about undressing as Mave clears her bed. He's a bit slow at it out of nervousness, and even folds his clothes up neatly before climbing onto the bed. Assuming she wishes to examine his front first, Alptraum lays down on his back, wings spread. "Do you wish to watch my shift to Barinala when we set the date, or do you wish me to just show up in proper color?" he asks.

"It is enough for you to show up that way," Mave notes, and vanishes into the bathroom for a moment. There are some clinking noises, and she returns with a tall glass of water. "Please drink this. All of it."

"What is it, just water?" Alptraum asks as he sits up and takes the glass. Before Mave answers, though, he starts drinking deeply, as a sign of … trust.

"Just water. You looked a bit dehydrated," she explains, and then leaves Alptraum again to collect some supplies from the office.

"I don't feel dehydrated," Alptraum thinks as he continues to drink. Once the water is gone, he sets the glass on a nearby nightstand, then lies back again and rests, stretching back his left hand and resting his head on it.

"Think she'll cut you open, then sew you back up?" Kaira whispers to Alptraum. "Do you know if the Yodhinala practiced surgery of any kind?"

"I don't think they practiced any sort of surgery. And I do think you're trying to scare me," Alptraum thinks, looking mildly amused. "I don't expect anything invasive."

Mave returns carrying a tray stacked with several small clay pots. As she sets it down atop the bed, Alptraum can see a phallic-shaped pestle, along with an ivory needle amidst the clutter.

Alptraum's brow goes up a bit at the odd instruments. "Need a blood sample?" he asks when he spots the needle. He also tries to see if he can read anything on the pots.

The pots are all filled with different powders or herbs, but bear no labels. They do show the traditional blue swirling designs of the Temple of Inala in Babel however. "I will be taking a sample, yes. Not blood though," Mave reports. She begins mixing some of the ingredients into another bowl, and mashing them with the pestle.

"Er … not blood," Alptraum murmurs. That sounds mildly disturbing, but he tries to think too much on it right now. "I feel fine, if that helps?" the Eeee offers.

"Illnesses do not often show symptoms within the first day," Mave points out. "I will be testing you for venereal and reproductive diseases, and looking for any inflammation."

Alptraum's ears wilt a bit. But … Phlagaea did paint that horrid goo in sensitive areas. "This is going to hurt, isn't it?" he asks.

"It should not," Mave says, smiling. "But it may not be as pleasant as you hope, either." She then takes up a cup and the needle in her hands.

"All right," Alptraum says and sits up a small bit so he can see just what she's going to do with that needle. He has a few ideas … and none of them are pleasant. "Kaira, can you keep an eye on any magic she may do and tell me what it is?" he thinks.

"Monitoring," the dragon reports. Meanwhile, Mave holds her collection cup in place, and demonstrates that male Eeee have a rather awkwardly placed acupressure point that lets her get Alptraum's 'sample' without all of the hassle involved with the fun way of doing it.

It does, however, give Mave a rather interesting expression when one of Alptraum's ears splays to the side and the other, straight up. "Ooookay," he says, then draws a breath. "That was … different."

"Sometimes a husband will suffer a crippling spinal injury before siring a suitable heir," Mave explains as she secures the sample. "The Yodhinala have thus learned the ways of bypassing the brain entirely when performance is necessary." She then takes the paste she previously mixed, and smears it onto Alptraum in much the same way Phlagaea marked him. "If there is a common external disease, this paste should show a reaction in a few minutes."

"Gggrk," goes Alptraum when the paste goes on. He shakes his head, then watches the Yodhinala curiously to see what she intends to do with the sample. He doesn't watch the paste … out of a bit of worry, really. "What will you do with that sample," he finally asks.

"I will add it to several different reagent mixtures to look for reactions," the Yodh explains, picking the tray up and heading back to her chemistry set. "Results will take a few days, of course. I will check for inflammation next."

"Remember that examination I gave you after you merged with the Shadow?" Kaira whispers in Alptraum's head.

"Okay," Alptraum says and lays back down so he doesn't have to look at the paste, "Won't I know if there's an infection in a few days even without the sample tests? Symptoms, right?" At Kaira's comment, his ears wilt again and he thinks, "When you violated me?"

"I was very gentle I thought," Kaira claims. "But yes. There will likely be similar."

"You were gentle. It was just … embarrassing," Alptraum thinks.

"The difference is that I will be able to tell which diseases are causing any symptoms that show up," Mave claims. "Of course, the Blessings of Gorphat can take on many forms, and I can only test for those directly related to fertility and sexual health." When the Yodh returns, she is wearing a rubber glove on one hand.

"Well, hopefully I did not receive any blessings from Gorphat. They wouldn't be required for one of her Daughters to, ah, union with a male, I presume?" Alptraum asks. Upon spotting the glove, inwardly, the Eeee sighs and just closes his eyes. "Maybe it won't be so bad if I don't have to watch her check things," he inwardly hopes.

As clinical as the priestess is about it… at least she doesn't have cold hands. The discomfort is brief, and Mave reports that everything seems normal – no unusual swellings or sensitivity. "Until the sample tests have finished, however, I suggest you refrain from partnering with anyone other than Phlagaea."

"Okay. So … how is the paste looking?" Alptraum asks after the diagnosis. Slowly, he sits up and looks down at the paste. He doesn't even realize he's holding his breath.

Mave rubs some of it off with a finger, and asks, "Do you feel any burning or itching or throbbing pain where it's touching you?"

Alptraum thinks about it for a bit, then shakes his head. "Nothing specific, no," he says, then lets out a sigh of relief.

"You can wash it off then before it starts to eat your skin," Mave says cheerfully. "Although it is highly unlikely that you would have contracted any of the nastier conditions from Phlagaea. Gorphat's Blessings are meant as challenges, and a challenge that cannot be overcome is a curse. So anything you may have would be curable or temporary."

Alptraum gets up and goes to bathe certain areas. "Whew. That does make me feel better," he calls back from where he's cleaning up. After a couple minutes, he returns and settles back onto the bed beside Mave. "Maybe Gorphat figures I have faced enough challenges and need not inflict more upon me," he offers, then drapes his right arm lightly around Mave.

"I need to prepare those tests while the sample is fresh," Mave notes, giving Alptraum a sly look. "Is there anything else you needed from me?"

"And come to think of it, Gorphat did bless me once. It was several years ago and just a nasty cold," Alptraum comments. "Well, can we talk while you prepare the samples. I'm interested in how you've been. It is my duty to take care of you."

"Very well," Mave says, and gets up from the bed. "You should put your clothes back on though. It would be best if you did not get anything on you from my supplies."

Alptraum pulls his clothing back on a lot faster than he removed it. "May I look through your clothes? I haven't seen all these before," he notes as he glances towards the wardrobe.

Mave sits at a stool and uses a pipette to prepare multiple samples. "If you like, although many are meant to be worn together," she says.

Alptraum goes to the wardrobe and looks through some of the clothing. "You know, women have a lot more clothing options than men," he comments absently. Inwardly, he's thinking, "Did you sense any magic or duplicitous behavior?"

"No," the dragon reports. "But I imagine it is in her interests to see to your health." There are several ceremonial robes and a lot of wrap-around lengths of Zolk or gauze in various colors - although the predominant ones are white and blue. And if the jewelry were all donated to Mave by worshipers, then she must have been a very popular priestess with very wealthy clientele. There are precious gems and metal bracelets and chains that make Phlagaea's glass ones look pauperish.

Alptraum looks a bit through the jewelry. "I see that you were a very popular priestess to worship Inala through," he comments, "Which does tell me I was wise in deciding to continue to protect you, even after the incident in the Well of Souls. So, tell me, are you glad to be with me now? Is there more I could be doing for you?"

"Continue in your studies and personal growth," the priestess replies. "That is what you can do for me."

"Grow in power and position so that you may grow with me? Develop my abilities so that if we ever had any offspring they may inherit some of them?" Alptraum asks as a bit of clarification.

"Grow in power so that you can bring a new beginning to the Sisterhood," Mave says.

"Just so," Alptraum says with a nod. "When I have to travel for various things, will you be remaining behind in this castle or going with me?"

"Going with you, of course," Mave says, pausing in her work to look over at Alptraum. "Do you find me a hindrance?"

Alptraum's brow goes up at that. "Not at all. Why would I? One thing I admittedly look forward to is that when traveling now … well, you have wings. The whole group will. So … travel will be easier," he clarifies. He puts aside the jewelry and clothing for now (thankful he didn't find any nose rings in it!) and walks over to Mave. He motions for her to stand for a moment.

Mave stands up, and looks to Alptraum with her head slightly tilted in curiosity.

Alptraum draws Mave into a hug … then even kisses her. Holding her in his arms, he says, "You have skill and experience with the arcane that I lack; your teaching helped me considerably. You are also superb at distractions and non-lethal ways to deal with conflict." And with a grin, he adds, "Plus, you are always fun to talk to. Your teasing of me is … well, cute."

The Yodhinala blinks at the kiss. "Well… thank you, Alptraum… " she says, a bit uncertainly. "Ummm… try not to kiss anyone else though, just in case you have something contagious that hasn't shown up yet?" she asks with a bit of a blush.

"Except Phlagaea, correct?" Alptraum asks as he glances over her shoulder at her chemical setup to try and see how many things she might be testing for.

There are nearly a dozen little glass tubes set up so far.

"Right, or someone else you are sure is immune to disease," Mave says.

Just to mess with Kaira a bit, Alptraum's chitinous hand slips down and squeezes Mave's backside lightly. "I should let you get back to work," he notes and pulls away. "I've got other things yet to tend to."

"I know what you did there," Kaira whispers.

"That was the reason for doing it," Alptraum thinks. "So, professional opinion, what is the likelihood I was blessed?" he asks Mave as he heads towards the door.

"Small," Mave notes. "Phlagaea's is still fairly inexperienced when it comes to such things, I think. But I will test for disease and other troublesome conditions all the same."

Alptraum nods. "That makes me feel better. Plus, I know Phlagaea wouldn't be out to harm me in such a way," he says as he opens the door. "Thank you again, my Yodhinala. Should you ever need anything, you are always welcome to come visit my suite."

"Oh, I know," Mave says, grinning. "I had an extra key made."

That gets a laugh from Alptraum. "When do I get a key to your room, then?" the Eeee teases, then waggles his brow.

"My door is always open," the Yodhinala points out.

"Yes, but I feel more … special, if I had a key," Alptraum teases with a grin. He taps the earring in his ear, though, and says, "But, at least I have this and it symbolizes you."

"What did you want then? You are already special to me," Mave notes.

"I'm teasing. You are already special to me as well, Yodhinala Mave. But, if you ever find an earring or the like you think would be suitable for me, I would not mind having some others to swap in for a change," Alptraum offers. He opens the door and steps through. Before he closes it, he asks, "When should I check back for my results?"

"There could be something by tomorrow morning, but that would indicate a severe illness," Mave notes. "I can always just come to you if anything shows up."

"Well, I'll check with you in three days if I haven't heard anything by then just to be sure," Alptraum offers, "Good day to you, honored Yodhinala. I will speak with you soon." Alptraum closes the door, then heads down the hall. "Well, that went better than I feared. I'm probably fine." he thinks.

"At least she didn't say it would fall off if you used it again," Kaira comments cheerfully. "But then, you didn't tell her that Melusine had removed and reattached things. So you might want to be extra careful… "

"Keep those comments up and maybe I'll reconsider leaving the dagger slotted a lot so we could stay in better communication," Alptraum thinks and smirks as he walks, "It's a good thing you're pretty, as that helps me ignore comments like that, hmph! I just hope extended fusion with the blade won't cause me problems. Ah well, we shall see. But for now … you get to watch me use the restroom. That glass of water went right through me. Heheheh."