Blood from Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"I was unaware you had bested Zanon Himself in your approach to perfection." Dust couldn't be drier than her tone.

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

"I was unaware you had picked up a certification as an alchemist in your spare time, Captain," he replies, sitting up as he rubs his head.

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline doesn't say a word, just glances over at Huntinghawk and Helene. Me, no. Them..? 

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

Niko follows her glance, his ears drooping. My head is killing me. And those dreams...

"Have they deduced what has happened?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Best theory at the moment is a tainted ingredient." She shrugs a little. "I stopped being able to follow twenty minutes ago."

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

"I see," he says slowly. That dream.. "I shall have to speak with some folks in Cattown post-haste."

[Carver Amell]

"No need," snaps Carver. "We already know about your shop."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline studies the catfolk carefully. "We pulled your brew, that's why what they're analyzing now. You're shaking."

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

"Am I?" he says, distantly, looking down at his paws. "I had the strangest dream... Nightmare, really."

[Tethras Clan]

"Is that a normal side effect of the tonic? Or could that be a result of an ingredient being altered?"

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

"No, typically I have no dreams at all when I take it. This was.... troubling."

[Tethras Clan]

"So the tainted ingredient altered the brew perhaps. Or maybe the nightmares are part of the curse?"

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

"Curse?"

[Carver Amell]

"Yes, Nikolaos, there's a curse involved somehow. We had to break it to wake you."

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

He frowns. "I dreamed... there was a man in my dream. I was caged, and he had the keys, but I had to negotiate with him to earn my freedom."