When Skobeloff sprinkled the dust into Fogdance's eyes, the older dragon was stunned for a couple of seconds as she tried to reflexively blink the obstruction away. When that didn't help, she started rubbing at her with her claw. [color=silver]"Sorry, I, err, this place is dustier than I thought it was,"[/color] she said. [color=silver]"Give me a moment."[/color] Once she finally able to keep her eyes open for longer than a couple of seconds, she returned her attention to Skobeloff and, seeing his bowl was empty, gave a smile. [color=silver]"Oh, you're done. Good,"[/color] she said, though there was a hint of confusion in her voice. [color=silver]"You, err, really must have been quite hungry. Now, err, was I saying something just now...?"[/color] She frowned, looking as if she was trying to remember something, and for a brief moment, Skobeloff notes her behaviour was slightly different from how it had been moments before. A little less jittery and nervous, as if her mind had been taken off something that had been deeply troubling her. 

Then, whatever it was that she had forgotten returned to her, and her eyes cloud over with sadness. Skobeloff recognises that Fogdance is indeed taken over by the Darkness, and that it is exploiting a particularly painful memory in order to control her. She turns back to look at Skobeloff, once again appearing nervous and jittery. [color=silver]"Well, after that walk and a nice meal, you must be feeling pretty tired, hmm?[/color]" she said. [color=silver]"If you'd like to have a little nap, I can show you where Tamba and Pleexem are."[/color]

[hr]

At the mention of his name, the face of the brownie from Fellwing's earlier vision peaked out from the bush. Alpin blinked up at the dragons in surprise and confusion. "How did you..." He trailed off and then shook his head. "There's no time to talk. Follow me. I know a place that's safe. Well..." He paused before correcting himself. "[i]Safer[/i] at least." He slowly crept out from the bush, and the dragons can see that, unlike the other brownies, he's not corrupted, just a little disheveled and frightened. He glances around him to make sure the other brownies are still distracted before beginning to lead the dragons away.