Adireal rolled out of bed, claws clicking against the stone floor. Belly still full from dinner, he stretched and sighed contentedly. He had nodded off for some time and the room was dark; it didn't slow him down much. He COULD light the braziers, but he had always found his nightvision superior to other Elves. He could make his way around easily enough, and his bladder would appreciate him saving time.

Quickly finishing his business, Adireal makes his way to the wash basin. After cleaning his hands, he scoops a handful of water onto his face. Peering into the mirror, Adireal grabs one of his many hand towels. Wiping off, he glances into the mirror again, turning his head back and forth watching how the moonlight shines on his golden scales.

Adireal's breath catches as he notices a patch of scales that have turned grey. Hands shaking, he lights the lamp next to the washstand. Gingerly touching the patch of scales, a few fall off into the basin.

Ting.

Ting.

TING-TING-TING-TING!

As his fingers rub over the scales, they begin shedding quickly. Adireal takes a deep breath as he watches the grey patch grow in the mirror. "No, no, no no! There must be something! A-anything, something, I can do!" Looking up to the cabinets over the washstand, he fumbles to pull the medical cabinet open. As he pulls Ysbella's medical supplies out, he reaches into the basin, trying to fish some of the scales out. The water feels wrong. . . Thick, and warm.

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Looking down, Adireal gasps. "B-blood? Wha-How?" Suddenly, it feels as if a hot brand had been shoved into his shoulder; Adireal sobs as blood blossoms across his tunic and he can see that a steady stream of blood has been draining down his arm and into the basin.

The logical part of his mind told him that he COULDN'T bleed enough to overfill the basin . . . That something was wrong. Pain exploded across his face, driving any attempt at logic away. Adireal attempted to scream, but whatever invisible force had grasped his jaw effectively reduced him to loud whimpers. The greyness covered Adireal's face, and he could feel bones break, and flesh rip. He gurgles in agony as his jaw rips free, stumbling backwards when his jaw falls into the basin, spraying blood everywhere.

Adireal watches his jaw bob in the basin for a moment, feeling a warm wetness leak down his front. Clutching his face, he looks up into the mirror, afraid of what might be there. Instead of his own visage, Adireal saw the jawless assassin staring back at him.

"Just like me . . . Not fair! NOT FAIR!" It gurgled at him, but Adireal could understand every word. "Dead like me! LIKE ME! Why did YOU return?" The corpse reached toward Adireal, pushing through the mirror's surface. "Give it to me! Give it all back! GIVE ME BACK EVERYTHING YOU STOLE!"

Gurgling on his own blood, Adireal tries to scream. Blood sprays across the floor and washstand, and Adireal clutches his throat. The human's cold hands encompass his own as it screams, "GIVE ME MY LIFE BACK!" Its fingers squeeze his throat with an unnatural force.

Adireal's own scream finally pierces the air. Pushing against the body, he forces the corpse into the mirror. With an agonizing swing, Adireal shatters the mirror into hundreds of pieces.

Gasping for breath, Adireal rolled out of bed, his claws clicking against the stone floor. Walking to the basin, his hands shake as he lights the nearby lamp. Peering into the mirror, he gingerly touches his face. Everything shines gold, everything is where it should be.

Scooping up a handful of water to splash his face, Adireal pauses a moment. Everything is clean; the water is clear. Adireal grunts, letting the water fall back to the basin. Grabbing the stand, he flings it into the wall. Wood crunches, and pottery shatters as the young Elve's breath quickens. Eyes darting around the room, he quietly makes his way to the corner of his room; the spot between his bed and the wall, where the bedframe hid him from view. Sitting down, Adireal clutches his knees to his chest and begins to weep.

And the young Elve sobs himself back to sleep.