After waking up (and cleaning up) Alptraum slots the spirit dagger into his gauntlet so he can talk to Kaira. He decides to check in with Mave and see about getting tested for any diseases Phlagaea's ritual may have conjured up, but first he sets out to find Lilith, since he hasn't seen her in a while.

A page points him the right direction, and when Alptraum gets to Lilith's door he can hear water running from inside the room. Feeling sneaky, he uses his shadow cloak to pick the door lock and slips inside unnoticed.

When he realizes that Lilith is in the shower, he worries about the possibility that it might not be her, so instead of going for a surprise he introduces himself. Lilith makes him hand her a towel, which results in the shower curtain collapsing – and Alptraum getting a towel over his own head eventually.

Lilith can't say what she's been up to, since she's a spy and her projects are generally secret. Alptraum asks her about the Countess, and what he can do to make her happy – including what he should learn in order to serve in her court. Lilith gives him some advice, and they go to breakfast.

After breakfast, Alptraum goes to see Mave. He explains about Phlagaea's ritual, and Mave agrees to test him for any venereal problems. Alptraum also asks her about preparations for serving as her Barinala, and what it might entail. Mave replies that he just needs to show up in the appropriate colors, and do what she asks of him then.

Talk turns to future travel, and Mave admits that she plans to travel with him wherever he goes. She starts testing his samples, and notes that it will be a few days before there are any results.