The Laboratory

The wooden doors closed behind you as you peered into the manor. The long hallway was covered with ornate rugs and lit by strangely colored torches, surrounded by wisps of magic that produced a sinister, flickering light.

The archmage turned and regarded you again. He pressed his spectacles up his nose and said, "I have a theory about those scales of yours. Please, follow me to my laboratory."

You followed him as he shuffled down the hallway and descended down a spiraling staircase. The wooden interior changed to stone as you reached the laboratory. noticeably colder and darker and filled with the same sinister light.

You passed by a couple rooms before turning into another hallway and making your way into a stone chamber filled with all sorts of strange devices. Tables covered by papers and metal contraptions, bookshelves littered by globes and vials, and chairs with straps.

The archmage took a seat next to one of the tables, producing a small journal. He licked his fingers and tapped through the pages, coming to a stop and adjusting his spectacles.

"Please, let me see those scales of yours." You approached and stretched your hand toward him. Tenderly, he grabbed it and held it next to the book. You saw that, among all the scribbled text, there were a few licks of paint on the corner of the page that he compared to. It formed a red and pink streak that looked awfully similar to the color of your scales.

He looked back up at you, a faint smile curling behind his white beard. "I have heard tales of dragons with such a scale color—this red-pink. It is very unique." He looked back at the journal. "Have you experienced the following symptoms..."

"Heightened arousal, heightened libido, submissive desire..." You blushed deeply as he read down the list. "Y-yes," you said.

"Very good," he said, taking notes.

"Good?" You asked. "Can you help me fix it?"

"Hmm. Fix it? I'm afraid there's no cure, just as there is no affliction. This is merely your nature as a drake of this creed."

"Please," you said sadly. "Isn't there something you can do?"

"I don't believe so." He smiled again."...But perhaps it may help to take some additional tests." He reached for some materials littered around the room.

He started by having you spit into some glass vials. "Dragon spit is a very valuable resource for potions," he told you. "But there is one I believe is far more potent, and you are the perfect candidate."

You wondered how this was going to help cure your condition. You assumed he was collecting more spit, but he reached for all sorts of devices around the room.

He mixed some mysterious potions into a small vial, and held it up to the torchlight. "Yes," he murmured. "This should be strong enough." He handed the vial to you. "Drink, my young drake."

You looked at the green, bubbling liquid in the vial. Would this help cure your condition? You figured it was worth a try and gave it a sip.

The next thing you knew, darkness claimed you.