It was odd. When Alptraum entered the Temple proper, he was shown respect.. at least by the barsunala guards and the few Yodh he encountered - and they tried to hide grins. "Welcome home, Barsunala," High Priestess Sukara greeted him. "To what do we owe the honor of your presence?"
Alptraum gives the guards an odd look. "What are they smiling about?" he wonders, "That doesn't bode well" High Priestess Sukara gets a bow from him out of respect. "Sunala requested that I visit," he answers as he rises, "So I have come."
"Ah, I'll take you to her then," Sukara notes, and loops her arm through Alptraum's to lead him. "Have you been well?" she asks.. is if trying to make small talk.
Alptraum glances down to Sukara. "Reasonably so. There is always much to manage," he says, brow arched a bit. "Have things been ... amiss here as of late? It seems different."
"Death is unchanging," the High Priestess claims. "We carry on as always. People die all the time, and they need to be tended to." Then in a bit more personal tone of voice, she asks, "What were the faces of the Yodhrephath like when you.. visited them?"
"Which time?" Alptraum asks. "If you speak of the entrance I made to request access to one of the old shrines and maps, most were rather terrified of me. Most remain wary, though Yodhrephath Windcaller and I manage a reasonable working partnership on some issues."
"High Priestess Koldesh must have been furious," Sukara laughs. "We've all been rather amused by the tales of it." And then they're at the door to the High Priestess's suite.. even if Sukara doesn't use them herself now. Still, she doesn't bother knocking - the two barsunala open the doors for her immediately.
This comes as a surprise to Pouncer, who is just inside carrying a plate of what appear to be cookies (with crickets baked into them). She nearly drops them.
"Furious? Why, exactly?" Alptraum has to ask. "I wished to make a point that while I am generally very 'easy going', that I should not be trifled with."
"You showed her up is all," Sukara says, and then frowns at Pouncer. "You should keep your hood up, child."
"I wasn't even trying with that entrance," Alptraum claims. "Did she file a formal complaint with the Temple? Do I need to go 'discuss' things with her?"
"No, she wouldn't dare," Sukara says, and goes to put the hood of Pouncer's robe back up to hide her features again, since the girl has both hands full. "It is good that she remembers just who the bigger goddess is."
"I do not generally exercise my capabilities out of general respect. I do not wish to alienate the other Temples, after all," Alptraum remarks. "And I also probably should not mention the night that Rephath, ah, had me spank her."
"No.. no you should not mention that," Sukara agrees. "Not here. Maybe later, over some wine." She finishes straightening up Pouncer, then bows her head to Alptraum. "I'll leave you to your visit then, Barsunala. Call on me if you need anything." She then grins again and leaves the chambers.
"Over some wine?" Alptraum inquires, his right brow arching a bit. "Until later, then." Once she is gone, he looks at Pouncer. "You know, they are creepier when they're acting nice," he comments.
"They like it when you shake up the other Yodh," Pouncer notes, a bit warily. Then she offers up the plate. "Cricket cookie?" she offers.
Alptraum holds up a hand. "Wish I could, but if I did the trash can would have it back within a few minutes," he says apologetically. "How have you been?"
"Worried," Pounce admits. "Srinala has been distant recently. Something has upset her that she won't talk to me about. It's always a balance with her between being herself and Sunala."
"Ah. That is partially why I am here," Alptraum admits, "There are some concerns that need to be dealt with and I will be aiding her as best I can." He crouches down so that he's at the same eye-level as Pouncer. Then since no one else is here, he lowers her hood again. "I know they said to keep this up, but you do not need to hide around me."
The teenager smiles. "Well.. they don't want anyone outside to do know about me," she says. "Not for my own well being of course.. but because I could be used against Srinala probably. We don't get out much anymore."
"Is that a recent decision?" Alptraum inquires. "I think it is probably more for your safety than anything else. Though they would have to get by me first, and that would be a feat."
"Have.. have you been watching us somehow?" Pouncer asks, and blushes to her eartips.
"I keep an eye on things and taps the girl on her forehead. I don't intrude, but I can watch your dreams sometimes," Alptraum says. "And I know your feel. If you were in trouble, I would know," he claims.
"I keep an eye on things," he says ...
"My dreams? All of them?" Pounce asks. "I can explain them! I'm just.. uh.. you probably want to see Srinala now right?" she stammers, and holds up the cookies again. "She wanted these cookies. I baked them myself."
"No, not all of them," Alptraum says and raises his hands. "So, don't worry. And yes, I would like to see her," he adds as he pulls her hood back up. "So, honored Lady, please lead this unworthy soul to her."
Pouncer giggles, and leads Alptraum to the throne room. Srinala is sitting there, even though she's not receiving anyone. It isn't exactly a comfortable looking throne, being made of bones and all. "Alptraum, you came!" the blind girl notes, looking up and smiling.
"Of course," Alptraum says accompanied by a sweeping bow. "I promised I would. It is good to see you."
"And Pouncer made the cookies!" Srinala says with equal glee. "I can't smell them, but they glow nicely. Come.. uh... approach the Throne of Death!"
Alptraum takes Pouncer's arm in his and approaches the throne. "I should probably apologize if my recent activities have caused any difficulties with the other Temples. The fast that the Yodh here are smiling makes me worry," he admits.
"I doubt smiling will make their faces crack in half, like Razaka claims," Srinala says, and reaches for a cookie once Pouncer is close enough. "And they are more like condescending smirks anyway. The Yodh all have this sort of counting-coup thing. Little bits of pride to lord over one another."
"It's like dealing with a bunch of children," Alptraum mutters to himself. "Razaka's gardening problem has been dealt with. The tree has walked down to the children's tent," he says, louder.
"Does it have to be walked daily?" Pouncer asks. Perhaps she once owned a pet..
"I don't think so. It's a dryad, I have never seen one pee" Alptraum tries to explain. "A so, it is a child. It seemed the best place for it."
"I trust your judgment on the matter," Srinala says. "Have you found out anything new about the enemy?" she asks in a slightly lower voice.
"Nothing new," Alptraum apologizes. "But on that matter I think you and I should speak with Kaira. Particularly on matters of better security."
"Who?" Pouncer asks, setting the plate of cookies down next to the throne. "Is this something I should leave for?"
"A rather sarcastic and opinionated spirit-dragon," Alptraum says with a sigh. "But she has great experience in dealing with long-lived threats ... not unlike your ... ancestor." He looks to Sunala and asks, "Should Kaira meet Pouncer?"
"I'd rather keep Pouncer out of this," Srinala notes. "I worry about exposing her to outside influences. Especially this one."
Alptraum kisses Pouncer's forehead. "Then I guess you should leave now," he tells the teenager gently. "Everything will be okay."
"It had better be okay," the girl says, and wags a finger. "Or no more cookies." She puts her hood back up as well, to hide her blush, and heads back to her own private room.
"I wish I could take her out on the town," Alptraum admits to Srinala when Pouncer leaves. "I could disguise her easily enough ... but I would still worry."
"Is there even anyplace to take her that is normal?" Srinala asks. "We both liked the fair.. But she would worry about me if I was left behind, I think."
"You're her family. Even if you don't have spots and she doesn't have wings. I don't think you two should be separated either," Alptraum admits as he sits at the foot of the throne. "Until her ancestor is dealt with, she'll never be truly safe," he adds, frowning. "How have you been?" he now asks, "Any more ... incursions?"
"No, not that I'm aware of," Srinala says, sounding upset already. "But that is the problem - how do I know if I'm being visited? I have to question all of my thoughts.."
Alptraum digs in his side pouch and pulls out the blood-made dagger. "Well, in this case we need to ask someone who is more of an expert," he says as he slips the dagger into his forearm. "Wakey wakey in there," he remarks and taps the orb on the back of his hand.
"That looks.. odd.." Srinala says. Her vision is likely like that of the Barsunala after all.
It takes a few moments, but finally a little blue dragon emerges from the orb. And stretches. "What is the occasion for summoning the genie of the lamp?" Kaira intones.
"Feels odd too. But for her to manifest I have to be linked to it," Alptraum admits.
Alptraum tries to make Kaira bigger by grabbing and blowing on her tail. But .. not before noting, "We need you expertise on securing a collection of souls from the incursions of ... something nasty."
The dragon dutifully inflates like a balloon. "Securing a.. what collection of souls, exactly?" Kaira asks once she's normal sized. She is eyeing Srinala now, taking in the torn wings and pupil-free eyes.
"You're a dragon?" Srinala asks.
Alptraum points at Srinala. "Her. Sunala and her charge, the Sea of Souls," he clarifies. "Amenchitli can come and go in that place; the culmination of the memories and lives of Eeee, and a very deep and important part of her."
"Hmmm," Kaira goes leaning in to really get close to Srinala's face. The girl doesn't flinch away though. "Can you take me there?" she asks Alptraum.
"Yes," Alptraum says. "With her permission."
"Of course," Srinala says. "I want to put this issue to rest."
Alptraum crosses his legs. "Right. No time like present, then," he says then sticks Karia's tail back into his mouth and closes his eyes. Breathing slows and he focuses on, well, drifting into sort of a non-sleep and standing on the waves of a solemn shore.
There is a convenient outcrop that rises like a grasping, skeletal hand for the visitors to appear on. Kaira leans over the ledge, staring down into the sea, while Srinala and Alptraum appear behind her. Srinala looks around nervously.
"It isn't a place to build a summer home," Alptraum remarks, "But it is important to the Eeee and to Her. It needs to be protected."
"And.. where do you think this is, exactly?" Kaira asks, still looking to the mass of faces.
"Inside Her," Alptraum answers next and gestures toward Srinala.
Alptraum steps behind Srinala, wraps his arms, then his wings around her protectively.
"Mostly, yes.. this is a dream," Kaira notes. "And it makes use of the participants. This was part of the big dream deal that happened here before, isn't it? I mean.. did anyone ever see it before that?"
"I don't know," Alptraum admits.
"It has always been in the Lore of Sunala," Srinala claims. "There have been paintings that depict it like this.."
"But these aren't actually the souls of the dead," Kaira says. "They're echoes and reflections.. I see faces that couldn't possibly have died on your world, and I am fairly certain you wouldn't see them if you looked."
Alptraum releases Srinala and goes to look.
It doesn't take a lot of staring before relevant faces appear.. including those of Alptraum's adoptive parents, which he knows aren't dead.
"So, what is your point?" Alptrauma asks of Kaira. "I have to protect Her and this place is important to Her," he adds, force solid and firm.
"This place is a trap.. or was meant to be one," Kaira suggests. "I'm surprised that it's here when Srinala is awake. This is her dream.. isn't it?" she asks the girl.
Srinala nods. "Back when the magic was going, it would vanish when I was awake. But now it's all me, there isn't any Dream Magic supporting it. Sunala.. used it.. to make me."
"Amenlichtli can enter dreams.. just like you, Alptraum," Kaira points out. "And this was the first dream you could enter, wasn't it?"
"Yes, because it is close to me," Alptraum points out.
Kaira's tail curls around her as she seems to think. "Now that the big dream is over, what is the Sea of Souls used for? Does anyone dream themselves here aside from you two?" she asks.
"I don't think anyone else has come here," Srinala says. "Just.. Alptraum and I. We can use it to meet."
Alptraum looks to Srinala. "I cannot recall anyone else," he agrees.
"So.. what is the link that ties it to Amenlichtli?" Kaira says. "This is like a library index. You can use it to find a spirit.. or conjure one.. however spirits seem to work in this world. So.. there must indexes that Amenlichtli can use. Followers, disciples.. victims?"
"Well, her servant, the General, is supposedly here," Alptraum says. "And I imagine many victims."
"I don't understand all of the Barsunala stuff," the dragon admits. "But it mostly deals with srinalas, doesn't it? The Barsunala fetches the requested spirit, and puts into a waiting srinala. How does that ritual work?"
"There has to be a living person that knew the soul in question," Srinala says. "And artifacts from their life if possible. The connection between the living and the dead has to be strong."
"As well as take a spirit to rest," Alptraum corrects. "It isn't all about bringing one to speak. And as she says, there has to be a key, an anchor, to find the person. A real link, not just a name."
Kaira looks out over the endless sea again. "So why is it so big?" she asks. "Surely, not all of these souls still have living links or attachments. They're just.. background. Inaccessible. Maybe that's part of the recycling bit of the Lore?"
"Sunala eventually ushers the spirits of the dead unto oblivion," Srinala says.
"Final peace," Alptraum says.
"Since we only have the srinala method to work from.. let's assume Amenlichtli uses it as well," Kaira suggests. "I can't see why she couldn't make her own srinala sort of mediums. There must have been plenty from her early attempts at immortality, I'd think."
"Unfortunately likely," Alptraum admits and makes a face. "The point is to make it so she cannot anymore."
"And the strongest connections would be the most recently deceased ones.. like the General or the Sabaoth, would you agree?" Kaira asks. "Or.. ah. The sacrificial victims of the Yodhdiphath would probably work as well."
"Possible, yes," Alptraum agrees. "Are you trying to suggest we need to extract them all? I don't know if that is possible."
"Everyone remembers the Sabaoth though, and the High Princess," Srinala suggests.
"Well, I never met them personally," Alptraum admits. "Or the General, though I know her name."
"The General has supposedly locked out Diphath, so we can probably rule her out as an anchor within the Sea of Souls," Kaira notes, and begins pacing the outcropping. "This place is all about memory. The most remembered person should be the easiest to find. And the ones that nobody living remembers.. can probably be eliminated."
"Well, remember that the Sabaoth also wished for immortality," Alptraum notes as he looks out over the 'waves'. "So there is also a link there."
"That was likely Diphath's influence," Kaira suggests. "The High Princess stepped in and upped that game not long after his death. And while she reigned, wasn't she also the acting High Priestess of Sunala?"
"Yes," Srinala confirms. "But.. I never met her."
Alptraum looks to Srinala. "I never met her as well. I only saw images during her downfall," he notes.
"But there are Yodhsunala who did know her, and knew her closely," the dragon points out.
"As well as her consort.. Thath," Kaira adds. "So, it should not be difficult to find someone who can be used to pull her from the Sea into a srinala."
"Also likely. What are you suggesting? An inside agent?" Alptraum asks grimly.
"I'm suggesting that you start eliminating the strongest likely links that Amenlichtli-Diphath could be using," Kaira says. "If they're possessing a srinala, they can't be here."
"My ... father?" Alptraum asks and makes a face. "I did not need to know that part. As for possessing a Srinala, they can't remain forever ... so even if we hold one out, it may prove nothing."
"Doesn't mean their spirits have to return to the Sea though," Kaira notes, and grins. "You've got another option for imprisoning them, after all."
"What? With you?" Alptraum asks.
"They won't last indefinitely in the dagger prison," Kaira points out. "They aren't really souls, these spirits.. they'll decay. Or you could destroy them outright. The main goal is to deny their use to the enemy."
"I don't destroy those that would be innocent, though," Alptraum points out. "So, what is the other option?"
"The victims won't be very good anchors, since Diphath didn't have a close relationship with them," Kaira says. "The High Princess, the Sabaoth.. maybe some of the Yodhdiphath you eliminated, or the nobles that were worshipping her. They're the likely entry points."
Alptraum nods. "And we just need to contain them outside then, in something," Alptraum says and looks to Srinala. "How do you feel about all of this?" he asks her. "I will not do anything you disapprove of."
"Sunala would not wish to give up any of her charges," Srinala declares, in her Sunala voice. "But.. if it means keeping the demon out of here.." she adds in her normal voice.
Alptraum rests his left hand upon Srinala's shoulder. "This is your decision. Regardless of Lore and wat was, you must now choose your path," he says, gently. "And I will help you walk it."
"If Thath will give his aid, then I would have you remove the High Princess and the former Sabaoth," Srinala says, and purses her lips. She steps up to the edge of the outcrop, and waves her arm. The Sea parts.. then retreats.. all the way past the horizon, leaving bare stone and ruins behind. "Until then.. I will keep the Sea at bay, as before. It will only exist like this in my dreams again."
"All right," Alptraum says as he squeezes her shoulder gently. "I will do all I can," he promises. This girl is technically a Goddess, and all he ants to do is hold and protect her. She feels more like a scared child than the ultimate end.
"The Sea is who I am," Srinala says quietly. "My spirit. Without it I'd just be an empty husk again. And there's Sunala as well. And the Lore. And now Rinala."
"I can't lose you. Neither can Pouncer," Alptraum says gently and crouches down beside the girl. "Nor can the City. Your camps and hospices have brought peace back to the City. You are the Sea, then you are the collection of our hope."
"No, that last one is you, Alptraum," Srinala claims. "I know you didn't want to be involved in all of this."
"No, I didn't. But someone I care very much about needed my help and that makes it worth it," Alptraum says. "I would do anything you asked of me. Not because you're the embodiment of a Goddess, but because you're my friend ... and family."
"Group hug!" Kaira declares, and wraps her wings around the pair of Eeee. "One big happy family of people with patchwork spirits!"
"You have absolutely no tact, Kaira," Alptraum mutters from within her wings. Still, he is hugging Srinala. "Will you be okay holding back the Sea?" he asks of her quietly.
"It will stay at bay while I'm awake.. so long as I do not enter it," Srinala assures. "But it will return when I sleep."
"Then I will need to work reasonably quickly," Alptraum says and nods. "And we still don't know if she can do any real damage here, but we cannot take that risk."
"You don't want someone like that getting into your dreams, suggesting things," Kaira claims. "Assuming she can do it at will, and not just when you're both actually here. But no way to really test that."
"She used to get into Vorg's dreams," Alptraum notes.
"How'd he deal with her?" Kaira asks.
"Ignored her, or so he claimed. But, how much can you really trust anything he says," Alptraum points out.
"Hmmm, maybe ignoring isn't what we want.. we want to know if she shows up," Kaira claims. "So.. an alarm system!"
"How do you alarm a dream?" Alptraum has to ask and gives Kaira an odd look.
"Well.. you put something in it that barks," the dragon suggests. "This dream is consistent, and returning. The Sea of Souls is Srinala's subconscious, you might say. So it should be easy to install a watchdog."
"I know a grok or two," Alptraum says with a smirk.
"And a demon in service to Sunala," Kaira adds.
"Skekos?" Srinala asks. "But he's a.. Oh, of course. He's not a child, he's one of the Sabaoth Seven.."
"A yes, him too. He would be the most appropriate," Alptraum agrees. "Either of us could ask him. So could most of my forms."
"I.. never interacted with him," Srinala says. "Not as the actual demon. I always think of him as the boy you rescued from the Tower of Babel, Alptraum."
"Two different people," Alptraum admits. "I know both. Do you want me to ask him?"
"What.. what would it be like having a demon in my head?" Srinala asks, sounding worried. "Or just in my dreams? Do I have to dream of him.. or is he actually a spirit that will be here standing watch.. or.."
"He is a spirit. Given you are Sunala, he serves you. It should be safe for you to have him here," Alptraum claims.
"It's not as complicated as you think," Kaira claims, waving a claw. "Dreams are easy to control will a little effort beforehand."
"Then please, enlighten us, oh dragon of the giant shiny blue butt," Alptraum remarks dryly.
"Post-hypnotic suggestion," Kaira recites.
"Of who?" Alptraum asks.
"To Srinala," Kaira notes. "Have Skekos there, explain what's to be expected.. and implant the notion into her subconscious that Skekos will be guarding her dream. And that if anyone intrudes.. well, this place is a trap. Without the rock, the souls would be trying to drag us down and drown us. So let them do that to unwelcome guests."
"The living Skekos, or the demon version that I can summon?" Alptraum inquires. "Of course that one requires the, er, human girl form."
"Well, having a little baby monster probably isn't as effective as a big demonic one," Kaira points out. "Srinala is familiar with the living Skekos already - he isn't going to make a very strong impression on her at this point, besides trying to steal her cookies... of which I was not offered any I noticed.."
"Cookies make you gassy," Alptraum claims and waves a hand. "So, fine, the demonic one. I imagine I could call him as the Barsunala too. All right, I'll do that when we wake up from this place."
"How do you summon them?" Kaira asks. "I always wondered.."
"I just focus on them and they usually appear," Alptraum claims.
"Hmmm..." Kaira says, looking shifty. "Interesting. I wonder if you're actually providing the energy for them to manifest.."
"Well, most likely. I know they feed off the Shrine Maiden anyway," Alptraum admits. "Why?"
"Well.. why should it only work on them?" Kaira notes. "Or me, for that matter. Familiarity?"
"Probably. Plus, I actually like them, and you. I imagine that helps," Alptraum claims and shrugs. "I have no desire to try and summon the spotted demon-bitch."
"Could you summon.. yourself?" Kaira asks.
"I rather doubt it. That would be silly. What are you going for?" Alptraum asks.
"There's a fine line between conjuring spirits and summoning them," Kaira notes. "But.. as the Barsunala.. you stand in the center of all that. You should be able summon any spirit you know.. or conjure a representation of one."
"Okay, so I suppose I can believe that," Alptraum agrees, "I still don't understand where you are going with this. What exactly do you want me to try and summon?"
"Well.. I don't know," Kaira admits. "I suppose the real test would be to try and summon one of the demons.. but make it a different version somehow that has characteristics you want it to have.."
"Okay, well, I can try that, but shouldn't we be in the regular world for that? Or did you want me to try it here and now?" Alptraum asks.
"I don't think you can summon a spirit in a dream.." Kaira notes. "Well, maybe.. but no, this place is a terrible one to try it in."
"Right, so ... now what? Do we leave?" Alptraum asks. "Did you want to see more or as Srinala anything more?"
"There isn't anything here I haven't seen," Srinala says.
"We can leave," Kaira notes. "This place is creepy."
"No moreso than the places you guard, Miss owner of the flaying tentacle demon," Alptraum points out and closes his eyes. He tries to focus back on the chambers they were in, and the fact he was sittong on a cold stone floor.
"What's a flaying tentacle.." Srinala starts to ask, before things are returned to the real world, where she doesn't finish the question.
"You really don't want to know," Alptraum answers as his eyes open. "And I'm not kidding. It's something only Blakat would love."
"That is weird," Kaira notes. "You might want to deflate me before calling up another monster," she also adds. "Less energy used that way."
Alptraum jabs Kaira with a claw then.
The dragon hisses with escaping air and shrinks down to doll size.
"This is your more experienced advisor?" Srinala has to ask. "I do not feel bad about relying on Pouncer's advice now."
"She may seem demented and a bit of a loudmouth but ... eh, no, you're right. She is at least knowledgeable about monsters," Alptraum mutters, sighs, and shakes his head. He crosses his legs and concentrates again; this time he's focusing on Skekos to see if he can bring Sunala's demon here. He's never done it as himself, before, it has always been as the naked human. Still, in theory it ought to work. "Skekos," he thinks, "Sunala has need of you."
There's definitely a shadowy.. but rigid.. presence that responds. "Barsunala," it replies. "You have not taken the path of the Sabaoth yet, so I am not obliged to serve you. What is it you call on me for in Death's name?"
"This isn't for me. Sunala requires a guard for the Sea of Souls. This seems a task well-suited for you," Alptraum remarks and opens his eyes. "It is for her that I have called."
The shadows seem to detach from the walls, and flow together before rising up and taking on the form of the demon Skekos. Srinala recoils slightly at the visage. "Guard," the demon hiss-clicks. "Guard against.. whom?" it asks.
"Amenlictli," Alptraum answers. "A force that has helped empower Diphath and now violates the Sea at her leisure."
"She plunders what belongs to Sunala?" Skekos asks, its tail-whip flexing and the blades of its forearms sliding in and out.
"She makes threats of doing so," Alptraum says as he remains very still. "She comes and goes when she wishes, which is a violation of its sanctity. Only Sunala and I should have unfettered access."
"And how may I deal with intruders?" Skekos asks.
Kaira nudges Alptraum, and whispers, "Demons usually like to eat people."
"Drive them out, of course. Or devour them," Alptraum suggests, then pokes Kaira.
The miniature dragon makes an odd giggle and holds her tummy where she was poked.
"I will guard the Sea of Souls," Skekos agrees.
"Good. I appreciate that you will do this," Alptraum says. "You may return to what you were doing."
The demon hisses, and returns to the shadows. "He is much more terrifying in person," Srinala notes.
"Yes, yes he is," Alptraum admits. "Though, he does like the Shrine Maiden." He shivers at that.
"The Shrine Maiden.. maintains the shrines, and supplicates the demons, doesn't she?" Srinala asks.
"She's very good at supplicating," Kaira offers.
Alptraum rubs his neck. "Quite," he says uneasily.
"I didn't know you could get the Seven to actually do things you wanted," Srinala notes. "And.. he'll be in my dreams now, guarding the Sea?"
"Yes. He does serve you after all," Alptraum points out.
"He is associated with Sunala, but there isn't much in the Lore about him serving her.." Srinala says. "He served the Sabaoth.. but it was implied that Sunala granted him the service of Skekos.."
"Sunala is a Goddess. He is a demon. In lore hierarchy alone you supersede him," Alptraum points out and shrugs. He's also very glad he didn't have to entice him with the Shrne Maiden or Nicora to get him to do the task.
"The important thing is that you believe Skekos will guard the Sea of Souls while you sleep," Kaira tells Srinala. At least her voice isn't squeaky.
"Just so," Alptraum agrees and gets off the bloody cold floor to stretch.
"Don't forget meeeee!" Kaira says and clings to Alptraum's leg.
"Forget you what? I thought Srinala might like a doll to cuddle when she sleeps. Sleeping with the Goddess of Death doesn't worry you, does it?" Alptraum has to ask.
"I can't spend time as a plush toy," Kaira claims. "I'm a busy dragon! Fearsome and awesome and beautiful! And what's the point if I can't have a cookie?"
"You want a cricket cookie?" Alptraum asks. Emphasis on cricket.
"What's wrong with crickets? Those are the ones with the psychedelic looking wings right?" the dragon asks.
"Can she have a cookie?" Alptraum asks of Srinala.
"Yes," Srinala says, a bit cautiously. "Pouncer is not a very good baker though, to be honest."
Alptraum takes a cookie and offers it to Kaira. "I'm sure they're baked with love," he claims. Not that he would possibly know, he can't anything solid.
The cookie is huge in the hands of the tiny dragon, but Kaira bites into with gusto. It isn't clear how she's eating it, being less 'real' than Alptraum. There are a lot of crumbs, and she makes weird 'om nom nom.. Cooooookie...' noises.
Alptraum arches his brow a bit. "She isn't very impressive, is she?" he asks Srinala. "I feel like I've lost your respect."
"I understand her completely," Srinala claims. "I cannot be Sunala all the time. Pouncer showed me that. I need to be a girl too sometimes, and play games and sing and... eat cookies."
"I am too many things," Alptraum mutters.
"You don't have to be impressive if you have self-confidence," Kaira claims, waving a cricket leg like a wand. "And now, if you don't need me further, I will return to being a tyrannical bureaucrat."
"Remind me to come in there sometime and spank you in front of your subjects," Alptraum tells Kaira.
"Well, if it will get you to visit.." Kaira says, then flies to Alptraum's right hand and climbs into the orb, which glows briefly.
And Alptraum rubs that hand. "So, I have to go speak with Thath and see about extracting two from the sea that may be her link," he says. "I hope you are feeling better about the situation."
"I feel that I don't have to second-guess every thought," Srinala says, and smiles. "So.. I can relax. Pouncer will be relieved."
"Good. She was very worried," Alptraum admits. "And I never thought you did. Just because she could enter never meant she could change you."
"What can you do when you enter someone's dream?" Srinala asks. "Can you take anyone with you?"
"I can, yes. In a dream I can make small changes to the dream, make suggestions. That's about it," Alptraum admits. "I could never try to get them to do something against their nature, though."
"Could you bring me into a dream?" Srinala asks. "Me and Pouncer?"
"Probably. Why? What are you wishing?" Alptraum asks. "What sort of dream?"
"Something fun?" Srinala asks. "A fair, or a carnival.."
Alptraum rubs his head and thinks. "Okay, hm. I will see what I can do. I have some ideas," he promises.
"You play with Barada, don't you?" the girl asks, cocking her head.
"If you can call it playing. She wanted to see my childhood," Alptraum explains as he stretches out his toes and wings a bit. "Not quite fun times."
"I didn't have a childhood, and Pouncer's was.. something she doesn't ever talk about," Srinala notes.
"Mine wasn't great," Alptraum admits, "A whole lot of starving and running. So I can appreciate Pouncer not wishing to talk about hers. I imagine hers was even worse."
"Am I lucky to not have one then?" the blind Eeee asks.
"No. They do help define you. And many have good ones," Alptraum says, "I am sorry you did not have one."
"I haven't had much life at all," Srinala says, a bit sadly. "But Pouncer helps. She tells me things. I heard you playing your flute earlier."
"Down in the tents? You heard that from here?" Alptraum asks, surprised.
"I hear most of the things on the mountain," Srinala notes, smiling again. "Don't tell the Yodh."
"You'll have plenty of life once the General is destroyed and things are set right here," Alptraum says as he decides to sit back down. "That will happen, no matter the cost to me."
"And Amena?" Srinala asks. "What about her?"
"She will burn with me," Alptraum mutters.
"I don't want you to burn," Srinala says.
"That's what it may take to destroy her," Alptraum admits. "The two remaining monsters destroying each other."
"You aren't a monster though," Srinala says. "She is."
"Matter of degrees on that. I think you would find many would say I'm a monster," Alptraum notes.
"Many would say that I am too," Srinala points out. "I'm Death. And Death is terrible and cruel."
"You are neither terrible, nor cruel," Alptraum says. "You eat cookies and play games."
"And you play songs for injured children," Srinala notes. "So.. does it really matter how other people see us?"
"It shouldn't, but there are days it weighs on me," Alptraum admits. "There are a great many things in my life I've done I'm ashamed of."
"I almost lost myself to Sunala," Srinala says quietly. "I couldn't have pulled myself out if not for Pouncer's help, and I tried to push her away when she first came to offer it.."
"There was I time I would have burned Rephidim. Every man, woman, and child. I was a seething ball of anger and vengeance," Alptraum admits. "And I too tried to push others away during those times."
"But you didn't," Srinala says. "I almost killed.. a lot of people. I didn't have to because someone else helped me. It's not what we want to do that makes us monsters, it's what we do in defiance of those feelings that makes us divine."
"Anyway, it comes down to I do not expect to survive the confrontation with Amena. That creature has existed for a very long time, and many of the great wastelands of the world are due to her. But, if my passing also means hers, it will be worth it," Alptraum says.
"Just survive the General," Srinala says. "I.. forbid you to die."
"Is it that simple?" Alptraum asks.
"Well, no," Srinala admits. "Sunala can only defer death at your request, technically."
"I can't promise anything, outside of I will stop her no matter the cost to me," Alptraum says and rests his chin on his knee.
"You'll have the power of the Seven Sisters behind you," Srinala promises. "Should we do something fun now? Pouncer has games.."
"Sure. I can suspend duties for a bit and play a game," Alptraum agrees. "Just not Toad in the Hole. I can't look at that game the same way since Hexen had that incident with one of the pieces."
"Is that a story you can tell us?" Srinala asks, perked up a bit by curiousity.
"Er, maybe when you're older. I'm not even sure I'm old enough to know it," Alptraum claims.
Standing up from her throne, Srinala reaches out for Alptraum's hand. "Well, let's go surprise Pouncer then!" she says.
Alptraum gets up and takes the offered hand. "Well, there are various types of surprises you see. The closer the friend, the more impressive the surprise has to be. If you don't get them cursing your existence afterward ... then it wasn't quite good enough," Alptraum explains. "Or maybe that's just between guys, come to think of it..."