"Come on. We're almost there."

Alastor was in deer form, leading an odd-looking herd of formerly rambunctuous reindeer and typically timid deer, a few other smaller critters weaving among them. Ribbons of white eldritch symbols flowed along his body as more eldritch symbols hovered about the herd to warm them. He was leading them to a thicket just outside of the Residential District which would provide some shelter from the wind and snow. It'd be tight quarters, but at least huddling together would let them share body heat.

He might be a predator, but Alastor was intelligent enough to understand that the prey needed to be cared for if he hoped to continue eating.

A glance back showed the closest doe's nostrils flaring, ears and tail up in alarm. He brought the herd to a halt before stepping closer to the shivering source.

"What madness brought you out here, my dear?"

Right now the ability to conjure fire was proving more useful than for simple combat.

Initially, Alastor had put together an extra large pot of gumbo to be served to the shivering masses, but he'd been press-ganged into service summoning flames to begin heating up people -- humanoid, draconic, or otherwise -- as the Orkili devices were set up to distribute heat more efficiently.

As he finished his part of helping thaw out one dragon, he felt someone approach, turning to face them. "Where next?"

"Oh this is delightful!"

Alastor turned this way and that, taking in his new cookie appearance. His shadow being changed into dark chocolate was just the cherry on top of the entire cake. Why, he probably could've blended into Black Raisin Cookie's world flawlessly!

Yes, yes, there were dangers to be had and an important mission to complete, but this is so fun!

Despite still being in cookie form, Alastor could still summon fire. He just had to be a bit more cautious with it lest someone melt into a puddle of melted icing and sugar, himself included.

"I can do this in little spurts, but none of us will be any good to anyone if we all melt before reaching our destination."

At least his flames were very effective against the creatures in the halls.

Alastor sent a sickle of flame towards an ice snake, forcing it to jerk its head out of the way so it couldn't properly focus on any one member of the group. This had the added side effect of at times the snake jerking itself into the path of someone else's attack so a near-miss turned into a direct hit.

"Keep going! I'll hold the rear!" Alastor shouted to his companions.

The reflection of something out of the corner of his eye prompted Alastor to spin on his heels, fireball at the ready.

It went out as he came face to face with himself as he'd looked so many decades ago: completely human. The human Alastor was huddled in a ball with ice gathered all over him as if he'd sat still long enough to freeze over.

Around his human self was the Void.

Alastor stood, transfixed by the image, unable to tear himself away as thoughts he buried under constant activity slithered to the forefront of his mind.

Someone needed to snap him out of it.

Alastor's grin widened, sensitive ears flattening back at the Ice Queen's shrieking to prevent damage.

"If I hold their attention, do you think you can get to that chalice?"