Sleep comes for the owner of the 'Slaves to Art', only this time it comes with an odd sensation; almost like a slight tug. It's a feeling hard to place and easily dismissed since dreams tend to be strange. And this one appears to be stranger than normal because when Helse opens her eyes, she finds herself laying on her back on the top of a massive spire in some strange new land

The Edge of Reality
Many stories talk about about the end of the world. Some call it the crossroads between life and death. Others, the edge of reality. The truth is, it's none of those all all of those. Nestled in that legendary place stands a crystalline spire with its peak a flat surface from which others can see the infinite. Endless sky stretches out around the spire. Wisps of light dance and swirl, forming patterns in the dim light. Some craft images of lives that once were. Others ... of lives yet to come. Even the gentle wind carries the voices of those long gone upon them, a soft whispering and chanting of things impossible. It is a world at peace ... and a world frozen and forgotten.

It's silent here. And what a silence it is. For Eeee, there is almost always sound, from the faintest breeze, to the sounds of their own breath. But not here. This place is quiet. As quiet as a grave, perhaps? Helse can't even hear her own breath at first. Then the sounds come; faint whispers voices of those gone; some wisps of people she once knew. Others are of those she has never known. What they say, who can tell? Sounds grow, and now Helse can make out the sound of someone humming softly; male, Eeee, from the tone. It's coming from somewhere behind her, perhaps near the spire's edge.

The woman sits up, then stands. Before looking behind her she checks herself for any obvious wounds. "So.. I wasn't murdered in my sleep?" she asks, before turning around to see who else is with her.

"Have a lot of skeletons in your closet, do you?" another Eeee asks. As it sounded, he is sitting on the edge of the spire; his feet dangling off. Even odder, he's using what looks like a fishing pole, its line disappearing over the edge into the unknown. The Eeee himself .. is well-built; stronger-looking than most city Eeee. He also has pure white hair flowing down to about mid-back and tied in a loose ponytail. His head turns a bit and he looks right at her with a single silvery eye. "Odd that the owner of a simple salon would be worried about being knifed in her sleep," he comments.

"My closet had a trap door in it," Helse notes, and realizes that she doesn't have her smoking kit here either. "So, this isn't the Sea of Souls then.. is it someplace worse? Why am I here, and who are you?"

"Does it look worse?" the other Eeee asks, "You sound like you feel rather guilty of something." He pats the edge of the spire near him, adding, "You can sit down. I just brought you here to talk. You've become rather ... involved with some friends of mine so I thought it was time we met."

Helse hmms, but takes the offered seat. "Eternity alone would be pretty cruel," she explains, and eyes the pole. "What are you fishing for?"

"In the end, we're all alone," the dark Eeee comments. "My title is Barsunala, by the way; but my name is Alptraum," the Eeee finally introduces himself. "As for what I'm fishing for, I'm seeing what bites, I suppose. Testing new bait to capture the bottom feeders."

"I was expecting the Mind Mage, Cyprian, to be Tulani's protector," Helse notes, and takes a closer look at Alptraum. "You look awfully young for the Son of Death. Or do you prefer being called The Psychopomp? I'm not very religious so.. forgive me for not addressing you properly."

"Would you prefer that I be all gnarled and scary? I usually save that for dealing with those who have committed crimes," Alptraum quips in response to the young comment. "Cyprian can't get involved directly; his guild position prevents it. I cannot confirm nor deny he has helped some, however."

"So.. what did I do to get your attention, other than being available to your friend?" Helse asks.

"You offered to get involved," Alptraum notes. He tugs a bit on the fishing pole before continuing, "To her decorated savanite companion, anyway. You seem rather fond of him."

The Eeee woman grins. "He doesn't look at me with disgust," she says. "So.. am I supposed to make some sort of pact with you? How does this work?"

"You aren't seeing me with my decoration," Helse notes. "Then again, it's more of an excuse to not go out often."

"And that brings me to part of the point of this little visit. Why don't you? What do you fear in the city? What enemies have you made?" Alptraum inquires, resuming fishing.

"Enemies? I wouldn't call them that," Helse notes. "I know a lot of things about certain nobles that would make things very difficult for them in the new political climate. I have certain patrons that would prefer I remain safe until the time comes when that information can be of greatest impact."

"The sort that might get someone melted apparently," Helse says, raising an eyebrow. "Right now certain people don't want to know the details, so much as who they can do business with. The new Merchant Class - they are uncommonly moralistic when it comes to business. With nobles, it was all just a wink-and-a-nod towards such things when it was just between the Houses."

"I took pleasure in disposing of the Velcanro family," Alptraum notes a bit dryly. "I repaired the damage he did to a young girl, but there have been many before her I could not get to. What I did to him, as horrible as it may seem, was kind in comparison to what he did his entire life."

"A bit, yes," Helse says. "The Sisters are known for their fickleness, and rewarding those who serve them with.. nasty surprises. A man, however.. I can trust a man."

"Right now I have certain sway with the Sisters and I am trying to change things," Alptraum notes as he adjusts the slack in the fishing line. "I find it surprising you would be willing to trust me, given what I represent."

"Change?" Helse asks with a smirk. "I know you by your actions, and by your friends. Tulani and Pierce trust you."

Alptraum holds up his right hand and flexes his fingers. A tattered old card appears between his fingers and that he hands over to Helse. On it is a stylized skeletion with a single word written under it in script. It's not a language Helse should know, yet she can read it here. It simply says 'Death'. "To some, Death is not an end, but simply change. One form to another. One life to the next. That card you hold is of a deck called the Tarot; used by fortune tellers to divine the future. When that card comes up, it is not time to fear and end, only that change is coming. That is how I see my role; and that is what I am here to do. To change things. To bring hope. Funny, isn't it? Someone who represents what most people fear is trying to bring hope."

"I don't know that many in Babel actually fear Death," Helse notes as she examines the card. "It ends their torment. Tarot, you say? I shall have to find a deck, if all of the cards are so decorated."

"Tulani could get you one. She associates with all sorts of strange people," Alptraum quips. "and many people claim they don't fear death .... but when it comes for them, yes they do." He shrugs a bit. "Another question for you. Is Babel worth saving?" he asks the other Eeee. He shifts a bit so that he can now fully face her and waits for her answer.

"A tricky question," Helse says, looking into the abyss. "Which Babel do you refer to? The old Babel, under the rule of the Sabaoth and the Kindly Ones? The wounded Babel with that heart removed? Or the new Babel barely born? If you are asking me which of those is worth saving, then I vote for the New Babel."

"The old ones failed," Helse notes. "They killed themselves, or were put out of their misery. They don't deserve a second chance, not when it means people that have something now will lose it all again to the noble Houses."

"Do you know, then, that the cults Tulani seeks out are led by the same creature that was responsible for that Babel?" Alptraum asks. "A very old power; and a nasty one. A power that grows through corruption. Its goal is to turn this entire city into an undead farm for armies to spread out through the entire world."

"How is that related to the undercity slave trade?" Helse asks, narrowing her eyes a bit. "The only cult I know of is that of Diphath."

"That would be the one," Alptraum notes. "It draws its power from Amena, which draws its power from Aztepa. A creature and places you may have never heard of. And one who's avatar waits outside the city within the protection of the forbidden zone."

"So.. you mean there's going to be an actual invasion of Babel by these creatures?" Helse asks, with a bit of alarm.

"It has already happened," Alptraum remarks grimly. "In the undercity. People vanishing. They're being indoctrinated into the new army by being driven insane. But a real battle? That won't happen quite yet, and I intend to stop it, and draw the fight away from the city."

"Ironically, I don't want to ask anything of you," Alptraum admits, "I brought you here to get to know you. You offered to help my friends, so I had to know if I could trust you to not betray them."

"I'm somewhat invested in the future, and not in a position to betray people and survive," Helse says. "So, do you trust me?"

"Yes. Even if you do seem to find odd pleasure in 'modifying' that savanite," Alptraum notes with a smirk. "And I appreciate your offer to help them. I would ask that you be careful, though. While I can try to protect you; the enemy is subtle and has a long time to dig in roots in the city. I may not be able to stave you if they capture you."

"I am a cautious person by nature, believe it or not," Helse claims, raising her chin. "I have dealt with these people before, as well. I just need to know the target, and the purpose."

"The target is the Abbas territory. they are hosting a large Coven. And worse, it is lead by the undead brother of the current House ruler. Yes, the former opera singer who died in Rephidim was 'reborn' as an undead servant of Diphath," Alptraum remarks grimly.

"And.. is Tulani looking for a route of infiltration?" Helse asks, sounding uncertain. "She must have used the Lapi doe to get into Velkarno's tower."

"She is. I have certain ... tricks at my disposal to make someone appear harmless in order to enter a location. Once inside ... the disease can be cut from the inside out," Alptraum says. He lets go of his fishing pole so that he can steeple his fingers together and somehow the pole remains floating in the air. "The doe that went into Velkarno's tower was not the same doe that was rescued; it was an illusion."

"How realistic can you make the illusion?" the woman asks. "And does it just need to get inside?"

"Real enough to be undetectable," Alptraum claims, "And yes, inside, and as deep as possible. Ideally, into the heard of the coven."

"The ones I have found so far seem to have a ... fascination with eating children," Alptraum remarks as his face twists a bit in disgust. "I have been debating on ways to create the appearance of, well, a pregnant woman to be sold as a slave. I rtaher imagine they would take that bait."

"I can get the.. sacrifice.. to the right person," Helse says. "If you can make it convincing enough."

"What would be the most appealing species, in your opinion?" Alptraum inquires, "And should I be concerned you know the right person?"

"You shouldn't be concerned about what and who I know, if I'm on your side, right?" Helse asks with a coy smile. "As for the bait: exotic is better. Lapi are rare in Babel, which is why that doe was so.. used. It's easy to get Eeee, after all. But it should be a mammal, and the Lapi tend to be more obviously mammalian than even Eeee."

"Humans would be even rarer, but.. too rare," Helse adds. "Too likely to be noticed if one goes missing."

"A lapi is easy enough to ... fake," Alptraum claims, "What would make them even more appealing?"

"Pregnancy, of course. Close to the end of term, especially," the Eeee says. "Not originally a slave if possible. Either one of the 'enemy' - from a merchant family - or else fallen. Disgraced."

"So, they like to take someone they can break?" Alptraum asks as he frowns. "And very heavy with children?"

"Or already broken," Helse says. "Rejected, cast out, hopeless - cults need that. They need the sacrifice to feel welcome. So she'll produce more for them later."

"They keep them alive to keep producing children?" Alptraum asks, surprised a bit by that.

"They probably offer them a high place in return. Of course, they'd need a Lapi buck at some point for that, but that's 'the future' and they aren't very good at dealing with that."

"Mm," Alptraum says and makes a face. "I should be able to create such a trap, but I will have to consult some things. I am not sure how to create the appearance of being late term. How close to birth should it be? A few days? Longer?"

"The closer to birth, the easier it will be to get them to 'bite' quickly," Helse explains. "Ten days, perhaps."

"So, close enough, but with time to try and seduce the lapi into being willing?" Alptraum asks, rubbing his chin.

Alptraum is silent for a bit. "I will have to consult with Inala on these matters, I think," he admits. "But it should be doable. Tulani will come to you when it is time to activate the ... trap."

"Inala?" Helse asks. "But.. the Yodhinala are no more. How is you can associate with a Sister other than Sunala?"

"I'm sneaky and clever," Alptraum claims with a coy smile, possibly in retaliation to hers earlier. "I can talk to any of the Sisters when I wish."

"And they don't use you to get at one another?" Helse asks. "They are supposed to be very competitive!"

"We are all working toward a common goal," Alptraum claims. "They treat me fine."

"Impressive," the woman notes. "How did you tame them?" she asks, leaning in towards Alptraum.

Alptraum puts his fingertip on her nosetip. "Now that is my secret," he claims. "And I think I have occupied enough of your sleeptime."

"I want to meet you, in the flesh, when everything is done with," the woman says.

"Just to see if the dream matches up with the reality, maybe," Helse notes, smiling enigmatically. "And because I might want to give you something. I don't know yet. But what else can I ask for?"

"What exactly are you hoping to see in me in person?" Alptraum asks, "But if that is your wish, it should be honorable. It is difficult for me to travel in the city, however; for obvious reasons."

"As I said.. when things are settled," Helse says. "I can wait until the city is safe."

"That.. would be impressive, actually," Helse says with a laugh. "I'll be waiting for Tulani then."

"It would be impressive that I wasn't impressive?" Alptraum has to ask. "And ah, one more question; what is your opinion of Thath?"

"Hmmm," Helse replies. "He's too complicated for me to get a grasp on, frankly. He was there with the Sabaoth, with the High Princess, and now with the Coalition. Some say he was trying to bring the Sabaoth and Princess down all along. I just know that he is successful. Now he leads the Coalition into a new direction for Babel - and he'll probably be successful at that too. He's a man beyond corruption, I would say, except for whatever he carries with him."

"Mm. Thank you," Alptraum muses. "Now, I suppose I should send you back to your feline toy."

"That you run a salon of crazy people that like to make him squirm," Alptraum says as he makes a face. "Was it really necessary to make him all ... bumpy?"

"That wasn't me, that was Sephia and Tulani," Helse claims. "If he is unhappy, I can reverse some of it.."

"No. Tulani is very happy with it," Alptraum admits, and he belongs to her, not me.

"Well, in that case she can thank me," Helse says, grinning again. "I suppose I can go to sleep now, if you're done with me?"

"I have to ask, because I know of people who enjoy dreaming of carnal relations with demons. There are strange people in the world," he adds.

"I want to dream of a nice garden," Helse says. "Like the Gardens of Inala in Paradise."

"Hm. That I think I can manage. Just close your eyes and relax," Alptraum offers. Of course, he's thinking, "Kaira! I need a garden dream for someone. Can I borrow your garden? Just by herself in the flowers. Is that okay?"

"Not particularly. Now close your eyes and relax. In a few minutes you'll wake up in a garden," Alptraum promises. Now he thinks, "One weirdo Eeee going to your garden! Someone weirder than me!"

"I'll believe that when I see it," the dragon notes, while Helse closes her eyes and leans forward expectantly.

And Alptraum reaches out and pokes her with a claw, making her pop in this world. Not terribly romantic; but he can't romance everyone in every body he knows! "Strange woman," he comments to the now empty world. "But at least she does seem trustworthy. But ... I have no idea how to fake a near-birth body. I guess I do have to talk to Inala next. Hurray." He looks anything but pleased as he walks to the edge of the spire, then off the edge. And as he plummets to how waking ... he frets over what Inala will make him promise for her help!