The Countess' bed is large, naturally, but also conveniently has expensive Zolk sheets. This means Snow can actually enjoy the novelty of sheets that won't irritate her sensitive skin, in exchange for the minor inconvenience of being a body pillow between Rose and Alptraum. For the two bats, it's been a long tiring day. The Shrine Maiden is also worn out, even if it's still only late-morning by her nocturnal habits.

"So, I think we should keep her," Alptraum murmurs jokingly Rosalind from across their shared human body-pillow, "I always wanted a pet human." He accentuates the point by play-nipping Snow's shoulder.

"She is nice and soft, and warm," Rose notes. Snow takes it all with equanimity, noting, "I… won't always be available when you're ready to sleep… "

"With the proper restraints you would be," Alptraum points out with a sleepy, amused, grin. He runs a single claw up and over Snow's hip and then along her side.

The human girl squirms and shivers, since she's unused to being covered by sheets and the Zolk is generally tingly against bare skin. "It's not fair to tease when you're about to fall asleep," she squeaks.

"Best time. You can't resist," Alptraum teases, "And I am quite enjoying the view of you and Rosalind together… "

The glowing eyes of the Countess rise up over Snow's shoulders to look at Alptraum. "Your time in Babel is showing. Besides… we would have to invite Phlagaea as well, and you may not be able to handle it all," she says in a teasing tone.

"True, I might not … but what a way to go," Alptraum teases right back. He reaches across Snow so that he can gently rake his claws along the Countess' side, then gives it a light squeeze. "But okay, okay, I can take the hint. You two wish to sleep."

"At least for a few hours," the Countess mumbles, closing her eyes to leave the room in darkness.

"Okay, I'll torment you two in a few hours," Alptraum promises and then cannot resist a wide yawn. He settles in against the human and drapes one arm over both Snow and Rosalind. It isn't long before his eyes have drooped closed to join them.

With the dagger slotted, Alptraum naturally falls into the strange world within when he falls asleep. He finds himself in Kaira's not-quite-real garden once again, sitting on the picnic blanket. There isn't any sign of the dragon yet though.

Alptraum stretches his arms and yawns. "Amazing how I can rest and yet annoy someone at the same time," the Eeee quips. While he waits to see if Kaira shows up, the Eeee gives himself a look-over to see if his 'dagger-world' appearance has remained constant, even with all the external use of magic.

In here, he looks normal… which is to say, he looks like he did before encountering the Shadow of Amena.

Alptraum pushes himself up to his feet and peers around, looking for the telltale sign of the blue dragon-butt.

A shadow passes over the apple tree, and then Kaira lands next to the blanket. "Hello!" she says while waving.

"Hello!" Alptraum says and waves back. "You're perky today! I'm afraid I have some bad news."

"What?" Kaira asks, looking shocked, then rushing over and grabbing Alptraum's shoulders. "What is it? Are you okay? Did something else fall off?"

"No, no, nothing has fallen off!" Alptraum says as he draws back slightly from Kaira. "The Blob survived her surgery. She has a new heart. I have memories of her memories and they're not pleasant. And … I passed up the chance to change her; I could have but … it seemed wrong."

The dragon blinks a few times, then squeezes the bat's shoulders and asks, "Why did you feel it would be wrong?"

"Because it was something a God or a Dragon would do; impress their desires on others," Alptraum explains. "I just couldn't do it."

"Hmmm," Kaira says, letting go of Alptraum. "I suppose you're right. I mean… I would have done something given the opportunity. But only because Melusine is not an ally."

"She is an ally to the Countess, though," Alptraum points out and then shrugs. "It just felt wrong, even if the desire was there. So … I didn't do it. She's the same nasty blob she always was, just with a less damaged heart."

"Ah, but you wanted to do it?" Kaira asks, throwing an arm around Alptraum's shoulder as she hugs him to her side, pressing her cheek against his. "You just resisted?"

"Well, yes I wanted to do it. Making a good shadow dragon was tempting; one with morals," Alptraum notes. His ears twitch next and then his brow goes up at the rather large amount of physical contact Kaira has been doing for the past couple minutes… "You're acting a little strange, Kaira," the Eeee notes. "Is something going on I should be aware of?"

"Oh, nothing much," Kaira notes. "I'm just… proud… I guess. Yes, that seems right. I'm proud of you."

"Okay, now I know something is going on. Proud of what?" Alptraum asks as he extracts himself from the dragon and takes a step back.

"Well, proud that you're still acting… mortal," the dragon admits. "It shows that the Shadow's influence hasn't really spread… or else is just too weak to affect you."

"Are you concerned that it will?" Alptraum asks and takes a moment to tun his hands through his hair. "Melusine can affect me some, I have to admit, but I do like to think I keep control of my moral compass, so to speak."

"Well, the main thing is that you have a moral doodad," Kaira claims, putting her hands on her hips. "Immortals don't always have those, you realize. Especially not dragons."

"I'm well aware," Alptraum admits. "I regularly ravish one," he adds and then sticks his tongue out at Kaira. "And I like to think that if I became a dragon, I would keep that part of myself."

"Well, you never really get over being mortal; it sticks with you," Kaira notes. "I mean, I'm a paragon of morality, because I was born mortal. Well, not me exactly, but I still have all that stuff."

"Oh, that's not quite how I would describe you," Alptraum says and grins fangily.

"Oh? How would you then?" the dragon asks, crossing her arms over her chest and arching an eyeridge at the bat.

"Seductive," Alptraum says. "The whole ritual with Melusine went surprisingly well. Granted, it was the Barsunala that helped me do most of it … and helped me deal with the fact I was cutting apart a living creature. It had to be agonizing. I'm not sure plain mortal Alptraum could have done that without getting sick."

"Was she oozing goo all over the place?" Kaira asks with interest. "Did you get splattered?"

"She was forced into the form of a steel dragon. I split her chest open with a silver blade to make about a foot long wound. I then had to pull it open and shove my hands inside, into her … goo. So, yes, I was splattered. I'm surprised I don't reek of her," Alptraum explains.

"Reek? Are you saying dragons have a foul odor?" Kaira asks teasingly. "Do I reek too?"

"And in a bit of cruel irony, when her wound healed she has a star burst scar on her chest, a mirror of my own," Alptraum adds. "And do you have an odor? Well, yes, you do. Especially in certain places," he counters and waggles his brow. "But at least that one is pleasant." Alptraum's head tilts as he continues to watch Kaira. Something still feels … wrong somehow.

"What? Do I have something in my teeth?" the dragon asks.

"You seem … different. Your mannerisms are off," Alptraum finally says as his brow arches a bit. "What is going on?"

"I've just been busy with… things," Kaira says, evasively. "I don't just laze about in here you know."

"What have you been up to?" Alptraum now asks directly and folds his arms across his chest.

"Just organizing things," the dragon claims. "I've got entities spread out all over the place, and I've been trying to shift things around to make sure the ones scheduled for release are closer together… without letting certain groups be too close. It's like making a seating arrangement for wedding… but with a lot more guests."

"Mmmhmm," Alptraum says. "I'm not sure I believe you, truth be told," he says. "Maybe I should go look around the various echoes."

"How could you not believe me?" Kaira asks, looking a bit… pouty. "And would you even know what to look for?"

"You're a dragon," Alptraum says, "And right now I'm not sure if you're even Kaira. Your behavior is … off. Subtly wrong in ways I can't quite place."

"Subtly wrong, but not obviously wrong?" Kaira asks. "Are you certain it's me? You might still be recovering from exposure to Melusine's memories… which would probably make anyone paranoid."

"I'm certain it is you. The way you where grabbing me earlier and then … cuddling … was not normal," Alptraum explains. "You also lack that 'annoyed' feeling Kaira often has."

"So… you're worried because I'm nicer than usual?" Kaira asks. "Isn't that an improvement?"

"Yes, it is. But … the problem is I don't understand why," Alptraum says. "Did you screw something up?"

"Not yet," Kaira claims.

"What did I do on the beach with you as a present?" Alptraum now asks, eyes narrow.

The dragon blushes. "You turned into a dragon and gave me a very thorough rubdown," she notes.

Alptraum nods at that. "Okay, so … are you going to tell me what is going on?" he asks. "Or do I have to go look?"

The dragon sighs and says, "Exactly what I said. I'm just… multitasking a little. Getting things ready."

"Ready for what?" Alptraum asks.

"You're going to Babel," Kaira notes. "I'm sure you will have opportunities to stab people."

"You're bloodthirsty," Alptraum says. "I'm going in disguise."

"So? You can still stab people in disguise," the dragon points out with a smile. "It's a city full of people that deserve to be blown up. You're sure to run into one or two at least."

"Not all of them deserve to be blown up," Alptraum counters and crosses his arms again. "But at least this does prove you're Kaira," he admits.

"Why… because I want you to take advantage of killing people?" Kaira asks.

"Yes, and you knew about certain things," Alptraum says and shrugs. "But it doesn't explain why you were being so cuddly."

"Is Melusine cuddly with you?" Kaira asks, stepping close again.

"In so many ways," Alptraum admits.

"But I'm still your favorite, right?" the dragon asks, putting one hand against Alptraum's chest and wrapping a wing around him.

"She's cuddly because she wants something from me," Alptraum points out. "You are because, I hope, you're my friend. So that makes you my favorite."

Kaira purrs happily! "I'm your friend, and… you love me don't you?" she asks.

"Yes?" Alptraum says, though his brow arches up again. Something is definitely wrong…

"And you want me to be with you, don't you?" the dragon asks next, maybe with a hint of worry.

"Of course I want you to stay with me," Alptraum answers. His brow remains arched. however.

"That's a weight off my chest, then!" Kaira says, and hugs the bat. "Oh, I owe you a surprise still too."

"Was there some reason you weren't going to be with me? Are you planning something?" Alptraum asks, curious.

"I just needed some reassurance is all," Kaira snaps. "I'm allowed to be a little insecure now and then, you know, especially when you're off risking your life to save an evil blob who probably does unspeakably perverse things to you."

"She does. And now that sounds like Kaira," Alptraum says and finally seems to relax a little bit. "Now I feel better. What is this about a surprise?"

"Oh, you asked me to change you into something, remember?" Kaira says. "My choice!"

"Oh, right. Change my real body. Like you did with the hog," Alptraum says, remembering as he taps the side of his head. "Er, does that mean you have picked something?"

"Well, that depends," Kaira says, and then asks, "Where are you right now?"

"In bed with Rosalind and Snow," Alptraum answers. "Do you need me to go someplace else?"

"Both of them?" Kaira asks in surprise. "I thought you'd be worn out from Melusine… "

"We were all tired. Each of us did part of the ritual that replaced the heart," Alptraum explains. "We went up to the room and went to sleep."

"Oh! Of course… You do sleep in beds too, that's right," Kaira says, before getting a sly look. "I know what to do then… "

"Am I going to be sorry when I wake up? I have a feeling you can do things while I'm here and I won't be aware of it," Alptraum says, sounding worried.

"It's a surprise, not a punishment," Kaira points out. "It'll be different but enjoyable, I'm sure! Don't you trust me?"

"I trust you more to mess with my body than I trust Melusine to," Alptraum admits and grins weakly. "How long will you leave me changed… ?"

"How long? Well… until you ask me to change you back I suppose!" Kaira says, stepping back and holding her hands up with the thumbs and forefingers touching as she looks at Alptraum through them.

"Okay. Well, I did agree to this," Alptraum admits as he shifts from foot to foot nervously. "I'll … consider it practice for having a more permanent disguise applied for a month or two for the Babel trip."

"It'll be painless, so long as you don't look up," Kaira notes, and actually points upward with a finger.

So, naturally, Alptraum looks up.

An apple falls from the branch above, and hits Alptraum right in the forehead – which turns the world black! He goes numb quickly, but this gives way to feeling completely bodiless, like floating in a warm void.

"This … my body is being shaped," Alptraum realizes as he floats in blackness, devoid of any real feeling. His consciousness tries to focus and find his body and what may be happening in that bed … with two women.

Sensation returns first with his heartbeat – slow and powerful. With each pump, his senses extend out into his new body. But it isn't still – he can feel wings beating in time to his heart, and they feel far stronger than he's used to. Everything feels stronger, and heavier. External sensation trickles in – a cool wind that carries no chill, his breath filling a hugely expanded chest, the bob of his head on a long neck. And finally sight. A dark landscape rolling past below, with pinpoints of light scattered about, although there's a large cluster in the distance; the glow of a city.

Even as Alptraum realizes he's in the body of a dragon, it also strikes him that he has no control over it.

"Kaira, what did you do?!" Alptraum thinks. Mentally he starts to thrash and panic, trying to get the massive body to respond to his will. Wings, voice, limbs, anything. If this is his body, it should respond! The Eeee wants to scream.

"No need to panic, Alptraum," the dragon rumbles, its voice at once familiar and ominous. "You've finally woken up, I see. I was beginning to wonder if you would in time," Vorgulremik says. "And don't worry about Kaira. You forged a link to me when you touched my former heart, so I was able to… commandeer things. You are perfectly safe, however."

"Being linked to you is not safe, no matter what you want to claim," Alptraum practically growls in thought. "Just what do you want? To show off how amazing you think your body is? To gloat?"

"To help you, Alptraum," the dragon rumbles. As the city lights begin to dominate, the Eeee feels his body begin to descend. "I'm going to help you solve your biggest problem of all."

"What problem is that?" Alptraum thinks. "Let me out of this nightmare!"

"The safety of your loved-ones, of course," Vorgulremik chuckles. With the long-distance eyes of a dragon, Alptraum sees a park pass by beneath, featuring headless statues and a guillotine, while ahead is a large, well-lit manor. Even now, he can smell the people in side – and that they are well-marbled with fat. The dragon circles around and then lands on the roof, next to a skylight that shows a grand ballroom below, filled with bewigged Gallisian aristocrats – and at the center of it all, a very fancy looking Kujaku couple.

"Hah," Alptraum thinks and mentally crosses his arms, even if the body won't do what he wants. "You're going to kill all of them, I suppose. And I'm supposed to just watch and be happy?" Granted, the thought of attacking the Gallisians is a pleasant thought, but he isn't about to admit it.

"Oh, killing them would be easy," the dragon admits. "And tyrants have a certain flavor to them that is not to be missed… but you can do so much more to them, Alptraum. If I slaughter them, someone will fill the void. And carry on the same nonsense." And suddenly, Alptraum finds himself in control, with Vorgulremik just a presence in his mind… like a little devil perched on his shoulder.

"Terrify them, then? Is that your goal? Become a dragon, just like you? Become your son?" Alptraum thinks in anger. Without even realizing it, his now scaled lips draw back and a low rumble begins, coming from somewhere deep in his now huge chest. When Alptraum becomes aware of it, he tries to stop it and bring his now powerful claws up to clamp his snout.

"You possess the power of Muriavan, the Shadow of Amena," Vorgulremik whispers in the back of Alptraum's mind. "What could it do, that made it so powerful."

"Are you saying I have the power in this body," Alptraum asks. He now tries to crane his unfamiliar neck to look down at his chest.

The white scar is still there, in the middle of his armored chest. "The body doesn't matter, so much as the will to do it," Vorgulremik notes. "But I'm sure feeling powerful helps with one's confidence. You have the chance to change things – all you need to do is implant black hearts into these nobles, and rule their country through them. You could destroy it all before their bodies began to rot."

In spite of knowing he shouldn't do it, Alptraum's great neck cranes about as he looks for a lone guard to grab. The urge to shape, the urge of a Shadow-Dragon, is present, whether he wants to admit it or not.

There are a few guards posted on the ramparts, bundled up against the cold. All of them are looking outwards, and have failed to notice the dark dragon in the center of the vast roof.

"Every nation that you do not control is a potential threat," Vorgulremik claims. "Gallis has allies. The sky island, Rephidim, threw in with them against Sylvania. Take it out, and the other powers will squabble and fight amongst themselves. There is safety in chaos."

The urge is too great to resist and Alptraum moves towards those guards, lowering his great body as he lopes along the roof on all fours. His eyes narrow and his breathing rolls out through the nostrils of his great snout. In his mind, he visualizes the tendrils of a shadow dragon. His slit-eyes focus on the necks of those guards … and the scaled lips draw back in cruel amusement as he envisions each of them implanted with a small part of himself, darkness to consume and control their flesh.

One of the guards just happens to turn to shield himself from the wind. The canine's eyes go wide and he freezes in fear at the sight of Alptraum stalking him.

And that is when Alptraum tries to surge forth shadow and infect the Gallisian. Part of his, darker urges, wants to see the guard change and suffer under his touch. Perhaps it is the remnants of Melusine's own joy at her acts against others that cloud his mind enough that darker things have taken hold for now.

Tendrils shoot out from Alptraum's right hand, one wrapping around the guard's throat to stifle any scream, while the other pierces through his chitin breastplate to plunge into his heart… where the tip breaks off and begins to grow.

"You belong to me now," Alptraum's thought rumble in his mind. He draws the tendril back and sits back on his haunches, content to watch what happens to the guard … for now.

The man falls to his knees, body wracked with convulsions. His exposed flesh crawls and bulges, and blood pours from his nose, mouth and eyes. With a final gurgle, he stops moving. His breath no longer fogs in the cold night air, but he struggles to his feet anyway, standing at attention with dull, lifeless eyes.

Part of Alptraum enjoys the sight of watching the Gallisian suffer, after all, they have hunted his people for some time now. "So, are you saying I still have Muriavan," he thinks, knowing Vorgulremik can hear him. "And that I can control people through it. Is this what I can become? One of your kind?"

"I can raise the dead, but not with such… fine control," Vorgulremik says. "No Shadow Dragon could, either. But the Shadow of Amena is special. Itself undead. But now it is yours, Necromancer King."

Alptraum moves away from the guards and back to the overlook into the dance below. "If the Shadow of Amena is undead, then does that not make me undead?" he thinks, "Which I know is not true. So, how would I have the power that you claim?"

"Knowledge is power, and the knowledge is there, within the shadow," the dragon claims. "With my help, you could uncover it all; challenge Amena herself and devour her."

"That would grant me the power to protect those I love and the offspring I will soon have," Alptraum thinks as he crouches down, his scaley visage peering down at a particular pair of kukaju dancing below. The slow burn of rage begins deep within his chest when he thinks of them dancing … the ones who killed Rose's husband. "And I suppose your reward for showing me would be your freedom? A chance to be my … father?"

"There is much I can teach you," Vorgulremik purrs. "With me, you can live forever. And your loved ones as well, inside of you, in a paradise you create for them. Protected from the ugliness of this world."

Alptraum's jaws clench tight and he arches back. That burn within him has become an inferno of hatred. His powerful jaws split wide and the roar that follows literally shakes the stone gripped in his talons. The rage of every injustice he has seen and been unable to stop fuels it. The rage of the pain his friends endured that he could not prevent. Everything, every moment, pent up in that guttural roar against the world. His head snaps down and a gout of flame bursts forth, slamming into and shattering the nearby skylight and pours down inside. It's only for a few seconds and then Alptraum launches skyward, the roar of anger returning as he challenges the night sky to stop him. Up and up Alptraum goes, fueled by the burn in his chest. Flames lick and curl out of his nostrils and muzzle as he climbs.

"It feels good, doesn't it!" Vorgulremik says. "We can burn down the world, suck it dry, pin its feeble gods beneath our claws! And there are more worlds beyond this one yet to devour!"

Vorgulremik's words ring in Alptraum's mind as he screams skyward. Yet in all of this, another soft voice breaks into Alptraum's mind. "I never really saw it as being you," the voice says. Rosalind's voice. All of a sudden he feels the rage in his chest abate and what fills it is a sudden hatred of his own stupidity and blindness. He let a moment of weakness take him and tempt him with power enough to protect … and destroy … everything he holds dear. Rosalind didn't love him because he was the Barsunala. She didn't love him because he could capture and contain the Shadow of Amena. It served her need to have an heir, yes … but what captured her heart was the Eeee. A foolish, reckless Eeee who would flash a grin, tell a bad joke, laugh, and try to find something good in everyone he met.

Power could give him so many things; he can't deny that. But … it can also take away the one person who helped him feel that life is worth living again. He would lose Rose. "No," the dragon that was Alptraum now says, "The good that I felt from it is the illusion. Something that cannot be maintained without endless feeding. You promise me everything … and all it will cost me is everything."

"Love," Vorgulremik comments with disgust. "It demands sacrifice, and for what? Those who you love have power over you, and it will cost you. Even now, Kaira plots to use your fondness for her. It is better to be feared and worshipped!"

"Have you ever loved, Vorgulremik?" Alptraum says out loud.

"I have cherished," Vorgulremik admits.

"Would you have sacrificed for them?" Alptraum asks next.

"Of course not," the old wyrm answers. "I protected them. My offspring are all within me, where their enemies could not reach them and where they could not grow to challenge me. But they'll all be snuffed out by Kaira, if she has her way."

"Then you do not know love. Love is being willing to consider something greater than yourself," Alptraum rumbles, words that seem ill-fitted for a steel dragon to be saying. "You would kill me in time too, should you be freed. You may teach me at first, but eventually you would try to consume me."

"Would that be so bad?" Vorgulremik asks. "You would have a position of power within me, and all eternity to spend with your family."

"It would all be illusion," Alptraum points out, "And besides, I would devour you before you had the chance." Okay, so maybe he is still feeling a bit of his steel-dragon trappings.

"Go back then, to your life of transient happiness and flashes of love in an unjust world!" Vorgulremik roars, and Alptraum feels himself falling out of the sky, unable to control his body again!

"And you return to your prison. We will speak again, count on it," Alptraum thinks darkly, perhaps taunting the dragon. Even as he plummets downward, he feels an odd peace within himself. Kaira was right, he hasn't yet lost who he is, in his heart.

The plummet causes him to black out… only to wake again to a very strange sensation! It's like being with Melusine, with every inch of his body tingling with sensation, but it turns out to be the Zolk sheets against his bare – very bare – skin!

Alptraum's eyes snap open! "Okay … she made me human. I … think," he thinks and swallows. The darkness of the room makes it hard to see much, though … so he tries to ease his way out of the bed and find the way to the suite restroom where there are mirrors. Of course any movement now just reminds him how alien the body feels!

When his feet hit the floor, it's as if he doesn't even have toes anymore, just little nubs. Everything else, though, feels overly sensitive. He hears Snow rustle behind him, and whisper, "Alptraum?"

"Kaira is experimenting again," Alptraum tries to whisper back to Snow. "She turned me into … something. I was going to the bathroom to look. I'll be back."

There is a changing area near the bathroom, which has opposing full length mirrors and plenty of lamps ready to be turned up to full brightness.

Alptraum shuffles towards that area. He also can't help but feel over his body to get a vague idea of what she changed. He starts with his head as he moves slowly, then feels down his chest as he gets close to the lamps.

Everything is smooth and flat, aside from the nose. But he can still trace the scar on his chest at least. It's weird, because his fingers are almost too sensitive, lacking any kind of protective padding.

Alptraum takes in a deep breath, closes his eyes, and then turns up two of the lights. There he stands for a minute before his eyes open and he looks into the mirror.

He's taller. His hair is still white, and flows down past his shoulders, broken only by the two pointy black ears that protrude from the sides of his head. His skin is so black it's shines. Silver, cat-slit eyes look out from an elfin face, his mouth showing just a little bit of cruelty, somehow. His chest is broad, as are his shoulders. Nothing mars it save for the star shaped white scar – which actually looks like a scar on the furless skin. Every muscle stands out, right down to his relatively narrow hips and long legs. Not quite human – a dark elf! He finds out his rear end is also a bit bigger and more sensitive when a white hand appears in the mirror and pats it.

"Erk!" goes Elf-Alptraum and he even takes a a step forward, away from the sudden sensation. "Very funny, Snow," Alptraum hisses and turns his head to look at the human woman. "I bet … " he starts to say then sees the back of his right arm where the metallic sheath juts from the black skin as does the orb from the back of his hand. It looks even more disturbing in that without fur it's obvious both go deep into his flesh, muscle, and bone. "I'm not sure I know what i was going to say," he admits, thoughts completely derailed.

"You're beautiful!" the shrine maiden says, clutching her hands together and looking Alptraum up and down. "Is this my reward for helping out?" she asks, smiling brightly.

"I … wait, you like this?" Alptraum asks the human, completely dumbfounded for the moment. Apparently his attraction to Snow is still there since while he's staring at her other parts tend to get excited … which he quickly tries to cover up!

"Of course, I'm human you know," Snow says. "But I've never really touched a human male before." And with that, she starts touching Alptraum's chest and tight stomach. It isn't quite up there with touching Rose while shadow-cloaked… but it's a lot more intense without the fur, since there's no direction to skin, it seems.

"This isn't exactly human, this is a dark elf. They're usually pretty unpleasant peo… " Alptraum tries to explain, but the constant touching is rather distracting. "You're going to request this a lot, aren't you?" the new elf finally asks. He reaches up to absently rub his right ear … then is thankful she did pick an elf, since his earrings still had enough room!

"Oh, I'll have to see if it's worth it," Snow says, and then presses right up against Alptraum, wraps her arms around him, and (after standing on her tip-toes) kisses him! Now that is something pleasant!

Alptraum has this sudden urge to get some cuffs and maybe a whip or two from the dungeon. "You can leave me like this for a while, Kaira. I think I want to try this body out with a couple species… ," Alptraum thinks when the enjoyment of the contact hits him full force. After a several minute long kiss, Alptraum eases Snow back down. "What about Rosalind?" he asks her, "Will you share? Though, given our time with Melusine, she may be content to ah, watch… "

"I think she deserves her rest," Snow says, tapping a finger to Alptraum's lips. "It is my duty to make sure you are fully used to your body to prevent any potential injuries. And I don't want to ruin those fancy sheets."

"Then maybe you should use those cuffs of yours to make sure I can't injure myself while you explore?" Alptraum finds himself offering and then licking his lips. The elf then blinks those catlike eyes and asks, "Did I just ask you to tie me up… ?"

"Yes, you did and I'm holding you to it," Snow says, grabbing Alptraum's left hand and dragging him of towards her room. "And just think, I don't have to worry about scratches this time!"

"I think you just found a fringe benefit to our partnership," Alptraum says quietly and tries not to laugh as he's led off. He can tell in this body and with how Snow's hand fits, his wrists will fit in those cuffs this time. There's a point where he almost tells Snow she might have to worry about pregnancy … but decides that there is no evidence it changes at that level and plus he's now curious what it will feel like too! And a few hours is safe, right? It's good practice for changing his body for a month or longer, right? Boy, he's sure good at justifying reasons to explore certain new pleasures…