On returning to Summerland, it isn't difficult to round up the orphans by ringing the kitchen bell. They weren't far, and rush to see what the bell was for, since they just had breakfast. "What's going on?" Harper asks.
"Well, for one I got you these," Alptraum explains and offers out the bag of candies to Harper. "It's for sharing with all the others."
The older girl immediately starts handing them out. After what they've been through, 'delayed gratification' means nothing. They scarf them down as soon as they can.
"Thanks!" Harper says while the others devour the honeyed bugs. She even gives Alptraum a hug around the waist.
"Well, that didn't last long," Alptraum observes. "The other thing I have planned won't happen until I get Aunty and her charge back here, though. So all of you can go to the ... well, event I have planned."
"Event?" several of them ask, including Dravitz.
"Not quite a funeral for those who have been lost. But similar," Alptraum explains vaguely.
"A memorial party?" Harper suggests.
Alptraum has to think on that. "Sort of that, yes. A celebration of the lives of those who are no longer with us," he adds. "So that everyone has a chance to say goodbye to those they lost in a way I hope helps ease some of the ache I know all of you ensure."
The children are quiet, but they don't look like they're really let that all sink in. They're still trying to get past the last trauma. But it's Harper that asks, "Will be burying them in the village cemetery, or.. down in the crypt here?"
"Unfortunately there is not enough ... left to bury. What we can, we will, and probably here. But for the most part it is more about helping their souls pass into their final rewards and rest. And a real moment so that all of you can really say goodbye," Alptraum tries to explain more.
"I guess.. as long as Aunty is there it will be alright," Harper says, looking down for a moment. "She always does that stuff.."
"I will be there too," Alptraum points out and pets one of her ears. "It will be all right. And I know it also may hurt at first, but once it is done I do think all of you will feel a bit lighter in your hearts. Closure and goodbyes are important."
"I never lost anyone before, so.. I don't know," Harper admits.
"It is not something you want to go through, and I hope it is rare in all your lives from here out," Alptraum says.
Harper nods a few times. "You're going to get Aunty? When will you be back?"
"Well, a few days at least. She is old and can only travel so far at a time. Plus, it depends a bit on if there is anything I must deal with in Babel before returning. At the very least, I need to see that these old artifacts go to where they should go," Alptraum answers.
"In the meantime, I have fresh fabric to make new clothes for you out of," Cardamom tells them. "You will all be kept busy until the Barsunala and your Aunty return."
That last part gets mixed reactions from the children. It probably means chores or something!
"Are you worried I will not return?" Alptraum asks.
"No! I think we wish we could just eat all the time," Harper admits. "And run around and play, or sit in the sun."
"Believe it or not, having chores and normal things to do will help you feel better than playing all the time, or sitting in the sun," Alptraum tells Harper. "A chance to feel normal again."
"We need to expand the garden, harvest seeds, and grind some of the wheat," Cardamom lists. "But it will be fun!"
"We'll do what you ask us to," Harper promises. "If anyone complains, I'll keep them in line!"
Alptraum holds up a finger. "Ah, one more thing," Alptraum says. He digs out a small knife and uses it to cut a long bundle of strands of his hair. The knife goes away and he goes about braiding those cut strands into a quick, but tight weave of his hair. Once done, he kneels down and after taking Harper's hand, he ties it around her wrist. "It will help ward off monsters and bad dreams," he claims.
"Really?" she asks, eyes wide. "Woooow. A witch charm!"
"Do we all gotta sleep t'gether for it t' work?" Mutt asks.
"Well, it would help, yes," Alptraum has to concede.
"They're all pretty light, so it shouldn't be a problem," Cardamom claims.
"Though all that said, you should be plenty safe here anyway," Alptraum points out. "And well, I suppose I should get going if there's any hope of me getting back. But ... " He has to pause and ponder. "Great, I will have to be a dragon to haul everything back to the city. I can't carry all of it like this."
"Will that cause any problems getting into the city?" Cardamom asks. "Or are dragons not an issue?"
"I'll just land outside and walk the rest of the way," Alptraum points out. "That should be fine, and many know me by this point" He hopes, anyway!
"I'll have that rope harness brought back out, and the crates," Cardamom says. "Is there anything else you need to take back?"
"I do not think so," Alptraum answers after taking a moment to run through sort of a mental checklist of stuff.
There certainly isn't anything he brought that needs to go back, other than the lock of hair.
"So, lets head over there and I'll get all naked and scaly, then you can tie me up and I'll head back," Alptraum jokes.
"Hmmmm," Cardamom goes, eyebrow raised at Alptraum. "Right! Me and my brother will meet you in the courtyard with the rope thing and boxes."
Snickering, Alptraum does wing up a bit so he can sort of hop fly over to where he'll become a beast of burden again.
Once the transformation finished (which takes a bit longer than usual due to the size difference), Alptraum can see Cardamom and her brother standing ready with the woven rope harness.
Alptraum gestures to his now folded up clothing. "Can you pack that in one of the crates too?" he asks and lowers all the way down. "Then strap me up like you mean it! Er, just get all the crates secured."
The harness is secured around Alptraum's shoulders, back and chest. Then after plenty of tugging and making sure nothing slips, the crates are tied in on the sides. And Cardamom gives Alptraum a slap on one flank. "Yaw Yaw!" she calls.
"Kinky!" Alptraum laughs to Cardamom. "I'll get back as soon as I can. Until then, I hope the children won't be a problem." And with that and a couple bounds, Alptraum goes airborne!
After spiralling up to an altitude much higher than an Eeee typically flies, Alptraum can spot the city in the distance, even it is more of a dark blob on the horizon.
"Mount Inala it is," Alptraum says to himself as he wings his way towards that blob! Stay on the outskirts, then land a bit of a distance to walk the remainder. He doesn't want to get shot at by airships after all!
Distance flying is much faster when you bigger wings. Within an hour Alptraum can see more details, including the movement of airships. After two he's circled around to the backside of Mt. Inala that non-Yodh (or their retainers) seldom see.
Alptraum still decides to land about a mile out to be safe and just walk on all fours the rest of the way to the mountain base, then climb up the mountain from the back.
About halfway up, Alptraum nearly gets bowled over by a sudden impact from behind!
Alptraum makes an undignified squawk! and lurches forward. The dragon spins around to see who did that!?
A large hybrid is lining up for another head-butt. While nominally half-Eeee, beyond the wings and ears Rugharo is most Rugh'rat in build and bulk. "Strange creature not allowed," he rumbles, then gets on all fours again for another ramming attempt.
"Oy, you know me! It's Alptraum!" Alptraum claims, "Also sometimes the shrine maiden! I am perfectly allowed to be here."
The demon stops, but looks at Alptraum in confusion. "Painted girl?" he asks.
"Yes. This is one of the other forms I have," Alptraum says, tilting its head too. Then it does dawn on it to check something. The dragon tilts its head back and around and sniffs at its own haunches to figure out just what gender it is right now!
Apparently if Alptraum doesn't deliberately focus on become male, transformations default to female for now. Rugharo also sticks his nose in more directly... and then tries to mount the dragon.
Alptraum mmfts! Alptraum briefly thinks about stopping him ... then realizes letting him might make getting up the mountain easier. So, she shifts a bit, lowers her front, arches the haunches, and, well, invitingly offers and allows him to mount her.
It still takes a few blind tries before Rugharo is plugged in. Even as a dragon, Alptraum feels stretched by the demon. It's also a bit painful, since there wasn't any sort of time to warm up.
Alptraum growls out and grunts when the apparent she-dragon finally gets filled. Still, she settles herself in for the ride, trying to keep her back arches properly to make it, well, easier! She hopes things will, well, loosen and slicken up quickly though, ouch! At least he found the right passage, the other way would have hurt more!
The dragon is also being slowly pushed up the hill from the force of each thrust from Rugharo, who seems to be heavier. Just when things are finally starting to loosen up, the demon begins to slow down.
Alptraum tries to set her claws so she can't get driven too far up the mountain. And now that things are looser and less ouchy, she starts roll-pushing her rump backwards. "I had forgotten how good you are, Rhugharo," she even rumbles back at him.
The demon grunts, and suddenly pulls out.. only to plunge back in via Gorphat's mouth. He's a bit lubricated, which may have been his plan all along. It's much tighter now, which seems to be what the demon prefers.
This makes the dragon's eye go wide! Well now! That hurts! He feels huge back there, too! Still, she just grits her teeth and tries to concentrate on relaxing and just letting him have his way with her. It's the, er, easiest way to deal with him.
The more she relaxes, the more frustrated Rugharo seems to get, which means he thrusts harder and faster to compensate. Keeping things tight, regardless of the discomfort, may be the way to brings to a conclusion faster.
So, even though it'll make it extremely uncomfortable for the dragon, she, well, bears down and clenches things back there. It makes movement, well, burn and ache, but it does hold her pretty tight!
The demon chuffs more happily(?) and goes back to taking his time. But the uncomfortable effort pays off within a few minutes as Rugharo finds the offering suitable, and gives his warm and stick 'blessing' to continue up the mountain.
The dragon certainly gets no climax from that, just a very wet, sticky, and bloated-full feeling backside when the time comes. Why Inala and Gorphat feud is questionable at times when they both have proclivities like this! Still, she does let the demon have his pleasures and pull out on his own before she turns a bit and dips her head to him. "We should do that again sometime," she rumbles to him politely.
The demon grunts in reply, but does sort of bob his head slightly in a nod, before heading back down to the cemetery.
And this leaves the dragon to waddle gingerly up the hill, and hopes things quit aching back there. At least she's not leaking; fortunately only Nicora does that!
The rear of the Temple is close now. At least things have been cleaned up a bit since last time, where there was a lot of debris from when the Temple of raider by the Yodhblakat.
Alptraum heads up further towards the temple, then weaves the main part of the temple ruins, and goes to where the hidden door is. If he makes it, she There, she thumbs her tail on it a few times to try and get attention!
Alptraum heads up further towards the temple, then weaves the main part of the temple ruins, and goes to where the hidden door is. There, she'll thump her tail on it a few times to try and get attention!
The dragon isn't so big that she can't fit through rather broad temple halls. After thumping on the secret wall, there's a click and the panel opens up, only for Tulani to appear out of it. "You sounded like an invasion," she comments. "I assume you're Alptraum, and not some random dragon who needs a bath from the smell of it."
"Rugharo demanded tribute," Alptraum claims and smirks. "And yes, I'm Alptraum. Can you help unload these crates and store them safely? It's old artifacts recovered from the Royal Mages. One of which Cricket is waiting on."
Tulani goes about untying the crates. "Is it safe to keep them here?" she asks. "Especially artifacts belonging to other temples."
"They won't be here long, and they're under my care, so I think so?" Alptraum explains. "I didn't have a better place to bring them, not in this body. People tend to scream and shoot at me like this."
"I'll bring them downstairs then," Tulani says, lifting both stacked crates. "Where'd you get the.. ropes?"
"From a small estate a ways out. I brought refugees from the raids outside of the town there. It was a request from one of the survivors I met in a clinic here. I had to see to it," Alptraum further explains as she settles down to make it easier to be unloaded.
"You've been busy then," Tulani says. "Nothing too dangerous?"
"Killing Royal Mages. Plenty of danger, actually. What about you?" Alptraum asks.
"Running errands for the Yodhbarada," the Sphynx replies. "Are you coming down or going to do you need to do dragon things still?"
"I can come down. Need me to?" Alptraum asks. "Get the ropes off and I can change to something smaller."
Tulani sets down the crates and unties the harness like a knot-knowing sailor. "Best not to let Mave see this, might give her ideas," she notes as she works to remove the harness.
"Oh, she doesn't think of me that way," Alptraum remarks as she holds still until the ropes are off. Then it's wing-coccooning and diving into shadow to shift back to Alptraum. This time the focus is on trying to become male as long as it's not a huge strain to.
"Of course, it's too late to not give me ideas," Tulani notes once Alptraum is.. Alptraum again. Everything seems to there this time, too.
"Sorry, I'm not Pierce right now. So, no kitty to enslave," Alptraum jokes and hip-bumps her. "Come on, I'll help take the crates down. HE also notices the rather clying barnyard scent on him too now. "And you weren't kidding, I need a bath."
Tulani takes up the other crate, and starts down. "Need me to send any messages while you're cleaning up?" she asks.
"I don't think so? Though I supposed you could send Cricket one and let her know I'll be bringing her the requested artifact soon. Have there been any messages for me?" Alptraum asks as he hefts a crate, and descends.
"Cricket's managed to track down the tiger so far," Tulani reports, setting her crate down once they've entered the Nest. "I haven't checked with the Mages or anyone else yet."
Amelia must biopause!
Alptraum sets his crate down too, then stretches, and sneakily cops a feel of the cat's butt. "I'll go get cleaned up now, then figure out the order in which to handle some stuff," he says.
The bathtub is empty, and where does the old water go anyway.. or new water come from for that matter? Alptraum's never had to try and fill it before. But there must be a source of water nearby.
And so, Alptraum goes in quest of water!
He finds soap, and.. a serpent? It coils up around one of the support columns, and looks very realistic.. but isn't alive. It does have a magical aura though.
Alptraum hmms. He reaches over and tries to uncoil the serpent from the column to see if it can move at all. Yodhinala and their 'serpent' fantasies!
It takes some effort, but the serpent begins to uncoil. It has a leathery feel to, but isn't as cold as a real serpent.
"Weird," Alptraum admits as he continues uncoiling the serpent to see if can bring it over to the tub.
It reaches, but it isn't clear how to make it work, assuming it's the water source.
Once Alptraum can drape it into the tub, he walks back along it looking for any sort of control.
The end of the serpent merges with the carved detail at the base of the support pillar, but there isn't anything like a valve or instructive inscription.
Alptraum ponders a moment, then heads back to the tub. He peers at the tail for a bit, then siiighs out. Given its shape and what it implies, he starts stroking the leathery serpent. After a moment, he even licks it.
This elicits a puff of steam from the nostrils, and the mouth opens. Water starts to pour out finally, the pressure apparently controlled by the speed of stroking.
It's even more disturbing that Alptraum is ... good at it. Soon he's stroking and licking the tube-snake-thing as it it were attached to a lover.
The tub fills up quickly, and the water look hot from the amount of steam rising up from it.
And so Alptraum stops molesting the snake and climbs in the tub to get clean. The unfortunate part is he's a bit aroused, and it's not helped his current situation to do that. He actually feels the urge of his body to shift to a woman and he's having to suppress it.
The hot water does make that part uncomfortable. But it's very soothing to everything else at least.
And so it's scrubby scrubby! He's even trying to part places to rinse out a little bit where Rugharo had his satisfaction.
It makes up for sleeping through getting a bath from Cardamom, at least, and helps loosen muscles he hadn't realized were going stiff. His right hand looks shinier too, whether from the cleaning or from the captured Mage spirits.
The shower overall is refreshing and cleansing. No more smelling like a rhugrhat doe, so to speak. Soon he's stepping out of the tub and proceeds to dry off. He's done well at resisting urges too, though not completely as he has slightly puffy nipples at the moment due to the urges he's suppressing. Still, now that the chill of the air hits, that helps! Cold is good at suppressing many carnal urges.
There's still the issue of how to drain the tub. There's no drain in it, and it stands free of the floor on claw feet.
Alptraum looks around for another tube or something. Failing finding any, he'll just sit the snake thing back in the water.
After a few moments, the water starts to go down.. presumably back to wherever it came from. At least it was clean coming out of the serpent.
Alptraum just shakes his head. Now mostly dry, but very naked, he heads back out to the main area where clothing is kept. Body adornments too, though he's not been wearing them lately.
Tulani has already gone, probably to inform Cricket that Alptraum is back. His clothes are in one of the crates.. at least, his traveling clothes. But he has other clothing stashed away in one of the many trunks near Tulani's 'nest' of blankets.
Alptraum goes to check the stashed clothing, just out of curiosity. To see if there are any notes, or other oddities! He knows it's unlikely but eh, he's curious!
The trunk with his clothing also includes a lidless box will all of his jewelry. Pierce's 'clothes' are also in there, which only amount to the collar and loincloth really. The Chronotopian outfit in there as well.
Since he's back in Babel, he peers at his adornments box. Sighing to himself, he takes that and goes about 'installing' most of the hidden ones, but at least leaves out the nosering for now. Then it's going to dress back in his travel clothing for the moment; since he's still got lots of work to do.
The durable outfit has been through a lot, but is still intact (save for a few patches here and there). Putting it on does make Alptraum feel more grounded in a sense. Undead vampyr need to sleep over the soil of their homeland.. but for Alptraum the Sylvanian fabric suffices.
"Right, so now it's down to business," Alptraum muses. "I have spirits to send to hell and a bunch of artifacts to transfer around. What order?" he wonders. "Cricket first, since she's being the most active? If I go to Mount Gorphat I worry I'll be there for at least a little while."
The Eye of Barada is easily found in the crate of artifacts, even if it is disturbing to hold a big eye made of other eyes.
Alptraum finds a sack to put the eye thing in and then does just that. He also ends up grabbing and pocketing his nose-ring in case he has the urge to wear it later. The time as Pierce and Jingle has at least caused a bit of the urge to be adorned again. But, he's trying to look respectable! So, no nose-ring for at least a bit.
Well, the rest is respectable for a Gypsy at least. Then it's back out through the secret door and out of the Temple. Babel has a distinct odor that was absent from the countryside - the smell of lots of people. Even from the top of Mt. Inala, it's noticeable. Or maybe it's because he's on Mt. Inala? The mountains of the Seven Sisters can be weird like that.
Alptraum pauses and tries to sense if any people are actually nearby or not ... or it's just the city he smells.
He can sense Mave, who is either sleeping or meditating from the look of her aura, and to a much lesser extent the tree, but nothing else seems to be around the ruined Temple.
So .. onward he goes! Back into the city and down to the lower levels where the 'inn' is the people are staying at, and Cricket is guarding.
The old Eeee manning the check-in cubby is asleep, but then Alptraum's never seen him really do anything anyway. The hallway is clear, but there are some voices from the common room at the far end. Sackcloth and Bright at least are talking about.. paper making?
Cricket's office is closer though.
Alptraum starts down the hallway, heading mostly for Cricket's room, but also idly trying to listen to the common room a bit. He knocks at Cricket's door.
There are the sounds of wooden pieces being moved across a board.. and then the door opens to reveal a slightly disheveled Cricket. It takes her a moment to realize it's actually Alptraum, which makes her perk up a bit. "You're back!" she greets, while giving him a quick hug and opening the door the rest of the way so he can come inside.
"Well, yes. Tulani was supposed to let you know!" Alptraum says. He draws to a stop and peers at the young Eeee for a bit. "Are you okay?" he asks, sounding worried. "Here I was going to tell you that 'I only have eyes for you'," he jokes and holds up the bag, "But you seem a bit ... worn out?"
"Oh right, she came by.. uh.. earlier?" Cricket says, seeming a little confused (or sleep deprived). She sits down on a stool. Her desk is covered in neat stacks of paper, but there are other stacks set on most flat surfaces, and several pages on the floor arranged in some sort of pattern. "There's no Mateh," Cricket says, and blinks. "I guess I've been working for a while now. Trying to figure out the connections, if they're there. I'm sure it will help.."
"You don't have to kill yourself over this. Take breaks. Get rest," Alptraum requests while holding out the sack. "And as promised, the artifact Barada and you wished to get back."
That seems to wake Cricket up more, as she reaches into the sack and pulls out the weird orb. "Oh, it's really real!" she says, watching the eyes watch her back. "This should make it much easier to check places like Saskanar.. if I cant get it to work properly."
"Just ... be careful with it. Those things are dangerous," Alptraum warns. He moves closer and rubs her bacj with one hand. "And I do mean you should get rest. You're one person, you can't do it all. And yes, I know I'm one to talk, but ... you're doing fine. I'd rather you be happy and healthy, even if things take longer."
"I suppose I should rest.. I don't know how long I've been awake," Cricket admits, setting the orb on the desk. "I need to use my own energy to work the orb, so will need to pray and ask Barada for strength and the knowledge to use it."
Alptraum nods. "Please. Get some rest, then tackle trying to work that device," he requests, then even leans down and kisses her right on the forehead.. It also gives him a chance to check her eye.
It's still fairly silver, but brown is creeping in from the edges.
Alptraum hmms. So, he cups her cheek and goes about using the shadow to fix it back to looking completely silver again.
"That tingles!" Cricket says when it's finished, and then giggles sleepily. "I should be getting some results soon from the others," she says. "I can take a nap until they arrive.."
"Good, and I'll let you sleep instead of ravishing you and leaving you drooling and dazed," Alptraum promises. "I'll check back later. Many things to still deal with."
"Ohh.. will you do it later though?" Cricket asks. She gets out a puzzle-box, which she puts the Eye of Barada into before scrambling the lock.
"I might, if you ask nicely," Alptraum suggests.
"I'll remember.. but if I don't you'll remind me, right?" Cricket asks.
"If you don't, you'll have to get some jewelry, of my choice, from the shop up the street," Alptraum teases and taps her nose. "Rest well."
Cricket eyes the hanging perch, and nods to Alptraum while rubbing her nose a bit. "Now that you're back and.. I guess the Mages are dealt with?"
"Very, very, dead," Alptraum admits. "I have to send their souls to hell, as well as deal with a few other recovered artifacts."
"Oh, you'll be visiting the others then," Cricket supposes. "Well, good luck and take care in hell. I hear it can be unpleasant." She winks her silver eye after saying that.
"I'll be dealing with several things, yes. Does that bother you?" he asks.
"You're the Barsunala, it's part of what you do," Cricket says. "I just have to remind myself of that sometimes. It seems like something very different from.. you."
"Because I am when I am acting officially," Alptraum agrees. "But nothing keeps me from also being me, from time to time."
"Good.. I don't want to think of the scary version of you if I don't have to," Cricket says. Then asks, "Give me a boost to the perch?"
Alptraum does each down and picks Cricket up. Easily, really, but he is beefy compared to most male Eeee, even right now when his body is constantly trying to not be male. He's careful, but does also turn her upside down and then hold her up to the perch.
The other modifications to Cricket become apparent once she's upside down and things shift and try to pop out. But once her feet have their grip, her wings automatically wrap around her like a blanket. "Thank you for everything, Alptraum," she says, a bit muffled by her wings.
"Thank you for just being you, Cricket. Even when things get growly, you're still important to me, and still mine," Alptraum says, then heads to the door to leave quietly.
The conversation in the common room has switched to.. flowers, apparently. It's otherwise quiet.
Alptraum does go to peer in on the common room, curious as to how everyone is doing.
While Sackcloth and Bright are playing a two-person strategy game while talking, Mr. Stripe and Mr. Cottonmouth are lounging together on a couch that's seen better days, but at least is strong enough to support the two tigers. Mr. Slither is near as well, doing his imitation of furniture, although nobody is using him as such.
The tigers seem to be dozing. Maybe they just wanted to be in a more open space compared to the otherwise cramped rooms.
"Everyone doing all right?" Alptraum asks through the doorway as he peers about. When he looks over Mr. Bright ha has momentary urges related to, well, unicorn time and he quickly has to change trains of thought to avoid issues.
"Ah, Barsunala," Mr. Bright greets. "We're free to socialize, and wear pants. And there's tea, so I have little to complain about."
"So, you don't miss canoodling?" Alptraum has to ask, and grin.
Sackcloth notes, "Certainly better than we've had the past year.. if it's been that long. Cricket says she's going to try and make arrangements for us to get out more, once she's sure it's safe."
"Ah, good. More of the mages have been dealt with, so it is likely safer. Should know more in a few days, I hope," Alptraum says.
"Well, she wasn't worried about the Mages so much as people that may know our pasts and wish us ill as a result," Mr. Bright explains, steepling his fingers. "It is a conundrum that frustrates her greatly, I fear: thinking their might be people who know our true identities but would harm before helping."
"I think she may just be a bit paranoid," Sackcloth says. "I'm not sure she sleeps."
"She's not wrong to have those concerns. I've gotten her to get some sleep, though. You all should encourage her to rest more, too. she's no good to anyone tired," Alptraum says.
"I'll try to coax her out of room to do something," Sackcloth says. "She must like games."
"She might," Alptraum agrees. "Anyway, I am glad to see you are doing well. I need to go take care of other matters."
"Well, thank you for checking up on us," Mr. Bright says. "I'm not sure you're under any obligation to do so, after all."
"No, but it's the decent thing to do," Alptraum says and waves. "Plus, Willow would be upset if something happened and she'd stab me." And wit that, he slips away to let him wonder!
Alptraum makes it halfway down the corridor before feeling a sort of tug towards one of the doors. One he's sure Mr. Fluff is behind. It isn't forceful, but it's there.
Alptraum pauses and then heads towards that door. He listens at it, and wonders about the sudden pull.
There's no sound at all, but he can sense a sleeping aura. Definitely Mr. Fluff, the Lapi. Which may the reason in itself.
Alptraum is torn. He knows Inala claimed a bunny, and there's one just past this door. The urges are ... there. So, the question is does he sneak in and change while he's asleep .. or come back another day?
It's not like Mr. Fluff is going anywhere. And if Alptraum starts.. where will it end? With just one bunny?
Alptraum doesn't know! That's the worrisome part. He knows how mindless Gorphat's doe is, after all. Would Inala's really be any different? So, for now he forces himself away from the door and heads to the exit.