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Christof hadn't slept much that night. In fact, he hadn't slept at all. He had spent hours hunting for the best brain he could locate in the graveyard, trucking all the way back again to try to sneak once more into the Demon Dorms without being spotted- a difficult task when covered in mud, blood and brain goop from the first three that had unfortunately been too rotten to remove from their skulls. He had a few hours left before she would probably rise, but that time had been taken up by madly attempting to clean up the mess he realized too late his boots had left on her nice bedroom carpet. He had found a nice brain, though, and his Mistress had been very happy to receive it when she eventually awoke. She had thanked him and then at the bedraggled sight of him sent him off to shower and retrieve his friend.

He was too excited to waste time with trivial things like showers, though. Buzzing on pure adrenalin he practically ran faster than the rising rays of the sun towards their dormitory and down into the basement where he furiously knocked on the door, praying Rita was alone.

Christof's shirt was still unbuttoned, his scarf hanging loose around his neck- through the grime of grave dirt and blood and rotten brain goop, she could see black marks across his chest that had not been there a week or so ago when she had last seen him... disrobed. He wasted no time, though, an urgent expression on his face as he explained with a simple "HRNNNMMMM!" and grabbed her wrist to suddenly drag her away from the room. Whatever it was was urgent, and he was excited clearly.

Chris didn't answer. There wasn't time to stop and write a note, nor attempt sad gesticulation. She'd find out when they got there. His eyes were more intensely focused than she had ever seen them before- this wasn't the awkward, nervous boil she had dealt with before... this was an Igor on a Mission, and the Mission involved carrying her if necessary to the appointed spot. He didn't want to leave his Mistress and Master waiting, there was important research to be done. Before classes started.

Though their destinations were the same, Riley had managed to make it to Malodore's dorm before the two, simply so she could brief him on the proceedings. She held in her claws a clear bag, with a very strangely intact specimen of Christmastown in it. It had little to do with today's proceedings, but.. she held it a hand's width away from her, as if a little worried about it's contents.

Her free hand lifted up and knocked softly on Malodore's door, while her eyes darted back and forth. For once, she didn't look at ease to be there.

Riley contorted her face slightly, still keeping her hand away from her body.

May I come in? I have a .. few things to discuss with you, actually. The first of which is.. this.

She held up the plastic bag, with the half of a stuffed elephant inside. It was clear, even from this vantage point, that the elephant had not degraded in the slightest. It was this lack of change that had Riley worried, even as she had packed it away to bring over this morning. When she found it, she had fully expected to see the same effects that Malodore's samples had achieved.

What she found, however, was a perfectly JOYful piece of toy still sitting on her bed, smiling it's half smile up at her creepily.

Needless to say, it had her a bit shaken.

Riley slipped into the room, closing the door behind her and - rather quickly - dropping the bag on Malodore's desk.

I found it just like that. I don't know why it isn't changing, but.. I.. don't want it in my room anymore. I swear, sometimes I can feel it.. watching me. She shuddered, and flipped the bag over so the half of elephant face was faced down.

It's still emitting JOY. I can feel it. I was hoping it would have turned by the time I got back to my room.. but it had not. I thought, perhaps.. you'd want to take a look. She, however, seemed very happy not looking at it right now.

What she couldn't tell, however, was that from within the bag, the elephant had suddenly begun to disintegrate just like it's counterpart nearby.

There are more pressing matters to discuss, believe it or not. She moved to sit down on his bed, placing her palms face down at her sides. I believe you know Christof, and perhaps even his friend Amrita?

Riley's eyes slitted, clearly pleased that he was on board for part of the idea. I have. He's mine now. She shook her head, and amended herself. No, he's ours. Most absolutely ours. And if that buono a nulla stronzo (someone had been reading their new favorite book..) Barth thinks he can push him around.. She had pushed herself off the bed as she spoke these words, clearly inflamed by the mere idea of Barth. Even her tentacles had stirred, just barely, and her eyes were lit with fire. She paused before completing her sentence, however, and waved her hand as if to brush off the thought. But that's irrelevant. What matters now, is that Christof has managed to acquisition a most intriguing find. This ghoul, Amrita, this friend of his.. she's in a situation that could require our.. Her eyes flickered to him, a mischievous affection glowing in them. Shall we say, special talents?

She seemed anxious for them to arrive, and therefore couldn't really stand still. Slow steps took her in a loose circle around him, and through the room.

It's hard for me to explain exactly what Christof told me, however.. there is one part of this encounter that I knew I could never do without you. Apparently, from what I'm told, she needs a new body made. She let that bit of information sink in, before elaborating. Christof believes that she would do better in a patchwork body like his own, instead of possessing a new one. Oh, I did forget to mention that part, didn't I? She had promised not to mention it until Christof asked Amrita, but she was sure that, by now, he had obtained her permission. That was, after all, exactly what Riley had told him to do. Hell forbid he fail to do it.

The ghoul is not in her own body. She is possessing it. Are you familiar with the term Vetala?

I, too, have only bare bones knowledge of the stories, but apparently I know enough. Amrita has divulged this secret to Christof - and now us, by proxy - so she wishes for this information to remain under wraps, for now. I can of course count on your discretion, as always. Her eyelids dropped halfway, pleased to have someone she could trust so easily. However, the one key piece of information we hold is that a Vetala can easily move from one body to another. This is why our poor Amrita has come to us - apparently, she is stuck in this one body, and she is unhappy with her choice of vessel.

Riley eyed the door for a moment, and her eyes began to drop towards the table, but she stealthily avoided looking in that direction. That.. that thing really had made her uncomfortable. Well. I wonder. How would you feel about assisting Christof and Amrita in this double-edged complication? It could make for such an interesting project. At that, she seemed to brighten. The idea of working with him on this had definitely been one of the finer points that had driven her to help.