The walk back through the ghost ship is thankfully very uneventful. The shadows just remain shadows and the creaking is just because the ship is old. No more visions of horror come to torment Envoy and pick at her fears and failings. Elsa walks alongside, quiet as she looks about the old ship. Up ahead is the main area where the others had set up 'base camp' so to speak.

Fallen-SilentOnce this was a great ship of the Silent-One empire ... now it is just a relic of a bygone civilization. It rests in its grave on the mirror-planed Morpheus. Ever since the rescue of its last inhabitant, the ship has grown silent; it's just a collection of old ceramics, crystal panels, and grand hallways leading to dust and silence.

It's hard to say how they exactly managed it, but everyone is back here! Walker, Icarus, Cypher, and Morpheus are all here doing various things. Walker and Morpheus are still setting up decent beds for everyone. Icarus is on the floor sitting cross-legged and apparently trying to write something down. He's having a hard time with this because cipher is sitting right next to him. She's leaning forward and staring at the side of his face. She's so still it almost makes her seem like a statue.

After several nervous glances out of the corners of his eyes to the odd construct, Icarus finally blurts out, "What? You've been staring and staring. It's creepy. The side of my head can't be that fascinating."

"You have one-hundred and forty-six thousand hairs on your face, with an average of six hairs per follicle root. Your spot pattern follows the Nervix-Dacytum theorem on placement almost perfectly. There is high probability that your patterns were specifically designed for maximum aesthetic attractiveness amongst the Silent-Ones. They tended to seek perfection in body and arrangement," Cypher explains calmly. She then reaches over and pokes Icarus' cheek!

"Hey!" Icarus complains again and bats at her. "It's not polite to just poke someone!"

"Hello you two," Envoy says to Icarus and Cypher, and wonders if she should be asking Elsa for parenting advice. "You should be nicer to one another. Cypher is going to help lock your network against intrusion, Icarus. That's important."

"She does this by poking me in the head?" Icarus complains as he rubs along his cheek. Elsa, a few feet behind Envoy now, laughs. It's a hissing sound, but it's still laughter.

"Your tissue density is ten millimeters in the area of your lower mandible," Cypher claims. "And you are much more squishy than Morpheus is."

"No, I think she needs to sit on it instead," Envoy says with a straight face. "Or put it in her lap. Just remind her that it does not come off and you'll be fine."

"What?" Icarus asks, just as Cypher grabs his head and tugs on it! "All of you are inefficient. Your parts should be removable," she says. Icarus has to bat her hands away again.

"Morpheus will need to debug you first, and map out your network," Envoy tells her adoptive son. "Are you okay with that? It may just mean putting you to sleep for a bit."

"Will it involve poking?" Icarus asks as he escapes Cypher by getting to his feet! "As long as it doesn't involve poking I'm okay with it. I think. Sleeping isn't bad, right? I mean, I do that every day anyway..."

"I don't recall any poking," Envoy claims. "So if there is you likely wouldn't remember it anyway."

"I can do the mapping in a couple minutes, "Morpheus claims. I just have to get these beds in place. "Walter is complaining about the floors being too hard."

"I am not! They are just not conducive to developing proper scientific theories about this place ... they just make me think that my back hurts," Walter claims.

"You don't use a bed ... so do you know how they work? Or how to make one?" Walter asks. Murpheus drops the end of the matress he was helpign with and motions for Icarus to come over to him.

"You tuck the sheets in under the mattress, and then bounce a shekel off of the top," Envoy claims.

"To see if they're tight enough, I think," Envoy says, and shrugs. "Nobody explained stuff like that in the Bard's Guild."

"That's silly," Walter comments, "But if you want to help make the bed, come over. We found some old sheets and cleaned them as best we could. Theire in a pile over there." Walter gestures towards the left hand side far corner.

The Aeolun goes over to the pile, and gives it a careful sniff before trying to pick up a sheet. She's learned to be wary of piles of things.

Meanwhile, Icarus walks over to Morpheus. "I need you to relax," Morpheus says. "This won't hurt. It may feel odd, but shouldn't be painful..." It's now Morpheus' turn to reach up and take hold of each side of Icarus' head.

Envoy brings the sheets back to Walter, while watching Morpheus and Icarus for any signs of distress.

The sheets do not leap up and try to engulf Envoy's head, thankfully. Walter takes one end and motions for Envoy to go to the other side of the bed with her end.

"Er, okay," Icarus says, looking a bit wary about the whole 'this won't hurt a bit' part. Still, he shrugs a little and takes a few breaths, trying to relax.

"Good, now whatever you do, don't resist me. It'll make this harder," Morpheus explains. The crystal-cat-eeee-thing's brow furrows as he apparently goes to concentrate on the hybrid he's holding.

It takes a moment for Envoy to focus on the task at hand and spread the sheet. She keeps an ear turned towards her 'family' when she can't watch directly.

"Resist. Resist whaa ... oooooh," Envoy hears Icarus say behind her. When she gets a chance to actually see him, Icarus seems very limp. How he's standing still is anyone's guess. Morpheus looks ... well, almost scary with how intense the expression etched on his crystalline face is.

Envoy frets. After all, Icarus has a much more developed and integrated network than she does, and she hopes it doesn't cause Morpheus any trouble - but the look carved onto his face doesn't look reassuring. "Cypher, can you tell me if there's anything wrong with Morpheus?" she whispers to the crystal girl.

"He is having difficulty with the expansive network that permeates the organic tissues," Cypher explains, something Envoy probably didn't want to hear. "And there is the matter of his potential weapon systems. He has to be careful to not activate them."

"Oh.. yes, the gravity drive.." Envoy whispers in realization. "I could try to connect and help, but that could also be dangerous."

And having said that ... Icarus' skin starts to glow a faint blue. No, it's the bones within him that are starting to glow as his entire network becomes active under Morpheus' hands. The air around both Icarus and Morpheus ripples and distorts like an intense heat wave ... only there is no heat.

"That isn't good," Envoy notes. "Walter, Elsa.. you may want to leave the chamber, just in case."

Icarus and Morpheus lift off the floor and are soon floating at least five feet above it. All around them a sphere or air ripples and twists. Now and then little blue bolts of almost-electricity arc out from their bodies and impact in the surface of the sphere.

"Walter is already backing towards the ship's main hallway ... and Elsa is following. She seems more reluctant to leave, though. Even a reptilian face can show worry and hers most certainly does.

Studying Icarus's face for signs of stress, Envoy moves a little closer. Direct connection is probably not a good idea, but she can try to soothe things another way. So she sings a sort of lullaby; "The first word was dream. It came to me as I slept. Gently bringing out the darkness deep inside my heart."

Icarus doesn't look in distress exactly. It is more that he looks lost. It is Morpheus that has an expression of deep focus and concern. Still, perhaps the singing helps because after a few seconds the distortions, ripples, and even lightning seel to move in time to the tones of Envoy's voice. Less chaos and more harmony, perhaps?

Order, Envoy thinks. A network needs a beat, a cadence, to work to. "The second word was wind," she continues to sing. "Show me the way. I beat my wings towards the embrace of the gods."

The sphere itself seems to stabilize further, even with the intensity of the arcing within it increasing. soon it is hard to see the two inside; it's only a sphere of energy that swirls and dances inside this long-dead ship. The air now smells of ozone and feels like a beach does after the passing of a great storm. It's oddly peaceful.

Envoy tries to keep her voice soothing, and urges the network to.. relax. "As if counting the sorrows that melted all away," she sings, "the golden apples fall... falling one at a time..."

As Envoy counts down the apples in her tale, the sphere slowly drifts down until it touches the floor. The shell ripples as it begins to melt. It starts from the top and oozes down like water rushing over a glass sphere. Soon the shell is gone and Morpheus and Icarus are standing on the floor once more. "Ooooo, funky," Icarus mutters. Morpheus, thankfully, now looks more relaxed.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Envoy steps over and hugs Icarus.. then Morpheus. "How do you feel?" she asks them both.

Morpheus eases Icarus down to the floor, then removes his hands. "I feel like I just tried to map out an entire universe," he admits as he rises. "He is .... insanely complex. To be honest, envoy, I don't know what his true limits are."

"I'm less concerned about what he can do, than what others could do to him," Envoy says. "Were you able to isolate his communications nodes?"

"All five thousand of them? Yes," Morpheus asks. "Yes. Now it's just a matter of having their access codes completely locked. Would you want any access left to people like you or I?"

"Yes," Envoy says, looking down at Icarus. "If I hadn't had access, I wouldn't have been able to save him from that bullet."

"All right. Cypher, you need to encode his network now. Make sure to have the algorithm have two access keys that match only my and Envoy's unique molecular signatures. Outside of that, only he should have access to any of it. Is that understood?" Morpheus asks of the other crystal being.

"Yes. This will take several hours to do," Cypher says as she walks over to where Icarus sits ... and sits on his head. Maybe Envoy shouldn't have suggested that earlier. "And it would help if there were no distractions here. Could you take the others back to the tower?"

"The gateway?" Envoy asks, and looks to Morpheus. "Or did you build a new tower of your own?"

"She means the gateway, yes," Morpheus says and nods. "I don't know if I like leaving them here alone ... but there really isn't much we can do to help, either."

Frowning, Envoy asks, "Are you certain, Cypher? Will you be vulnerable if we leave you?"

"We are the only organisms on this planet," Cypher points out. "What would threaten us?"

"Your creators," Envoy says, and looks to Morpheus. "Could the Tribunal interfere in any way with this process?"

"It is highly unlikely. While not out of the realm of possible, the odds are against it," Morpheus admits.

"Alright, I'll trust her judgment then," Envoy says, and waves to Elsa at the doorway. "Let's get Walter and.. go look at the planetary transport terminal!"

Finding the others turns out to be quick ... they wre just outside the door and peering in, so they saw the whole event unfold as it is. The walk back to the Gateway is ... slow and rather dusty. Thankfully no monsters in giant tuts jump out at least, which gives Elsa time to mention to Morpheus, "Envoy was talking of missing her father earlier. I did not know she had one, did you?"

"I did. I have never met the person known as Barrabas, but I know of him. He is supposedly a very strange person," Morpheus notes. "His presence has induced some unusual dreams in those who live in Abu Dhabi."

"He is my father in the same way that I am Icarus's mother," Envoy says. "It is a role he chose to fulfill," she explains, smiling a bit. "And you've never seen one of his own dreams, Morpheus?"

"I have not tried to, no," Morpheus says, "It may be hard to imagine, but I do not actively try to dive into another's dreams often. I listen to those that echo loud enough for me to hear. Intruding on them seems .. wrong somehow. Well, unless they are yours; I know you do not mind my presence there."

"My dreams have never been private," Envoy notes. "Do you think you could find Barrabas though? I'd like to see him, even in a dream, and let him know I'm okay."

"Oh, I imagine I could since you know him well; that makes finding his pattern easier," Morpheus notes. "Did you wish to try this when re reach the gateway? It depends on if he is asleep right now, of course."

"Are you sure that is wise?" Elsa asks as she points out, "If this man adopted this strange person as a daughter ... who knows what strange thoughts may lurk in his own mind."

"It cannot be worse than some dreams of the Khatta of Sinai. There is one in the sky islands that dreams of ... " Morpheus says, then shakes his crystalline head, "Never mind. You would not wish to hear tales of people swinging in weird ways."

"He thought I was one of his own kind originally," Envoy notes. "But I expect his mind to be.. similar to yours, Elsa, in some ways."

"He seeks the origins of life, and has created many new species," Envoy explains.

"He is, but.. he is near the end of his life," Envoy says sadly. "He suspended himself for many centuries when he became riddled with cancer, in the hopes of finding someone to carry on his legacy. Instead he got me, who went and got him healed and revived."

"Then how can you claim he is near the end of his life if he was healed?" Elsa asks. "If it is a matter of reversing the damage caused by free radicals, there are several techniques for managing it."

"He is very old, and.. well, his biology is that of the Nohbakim, which are a cursed people," the Aeolun says. "They.. are difficult to describe. No two are alike, and they incorporate the features of many creatures. Barrabas was originally searching for a way to cure his people. And life-extension isn't always welcomed on Sinai."

"I imagine I could give him another decade or so of life if I had time to examine him," Elsa notes as the group approach the entry to the gateway. "I'm not suggesting immortality, just extending the period of DNA can replicate effectively."

"He'd have to come to Abaddon then," Envoy notes, sounding a little hopeful. "I'm sure he'd love to visit.."

"Or I go to him and gets some tissue samples," Elsa notes. The wall of the gateway melts back into the entryway and allows the group to enter. "I could not possibly let you go to another world without an escort. It would not be proper for a lady to travel alone," Walter tells Elsa.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Envoy recites, "We can fly. We have wings. We can touch floating dreams."

Elsa gives Walter an odd look, then takes his hand. "Come, these two probably wish to be alone. She tells me you are from another universe. I want to examine your tissues," she tells him.

"Er, Lady Elsa! That is not proper!" Walter babbles as he finds himself being escorted off by a strange lizard lady.

"Walter is a rarity; the only natural lifeform among us," Envoy says to Morpheus with a wink.

"And who knows how long that will last," Morpheus comments as he goes to sit in front of Envoy and cross his own legs. "If you have not noticed, he has taken a liking to the doctor."

"She's not as confusing as I am, I suppose, and at least knows how mortals are supposed to work," Envoy says. "She's more approachable!"

"And single. You are not," Morpheus points out, "And it may have to do with the fact he has lived with the Naga for some time. He is used to scales." He reaches over and takes hold of Envoy's hands. "Now, as you fade, you need to focus on what you remember of him. I can use that to try and find him..."

Closing her eyes, Envoy thinks of Barrabas in his vast underground garden next to the palace of the Emir, full of his friendly - if odd - creatures and plants. She even pulls up the memory of the touch of his tentacle on her cheek.

The world slips away as Morpheus guides her into a trancelike state, then into a dreamlike place. It's quiet here, floating in nothingness. How much time passes is unknown, that's a problem with dreams really. On her left, Envoy now hears the soft trickle of water. This remains the only sound for a few seconds. The odd cry of an unusual ... bird ... thing comes on her right. Another few seconds and she feels like she's sitting on some sort of moss-covered log. It's then that her vision starts to clear and she finds herself sitting on a cavern lit the the phosphorescent mosses above her. The air here is damp and earthy. All around her are the sounds of critters rustling about. In the distance ahead she heads what may be someone humming some long forgotten tune. Well, it's almost like humming ... if you had really oddly shaped jaws that is.

Slowly standing so she doesn't lose her equilibrium, Envoy looks around before taking steps towards the humming.

Envoy feels fine as she stands. It's only her here right now. Maybe Morpheus decided she needed private time. Or ... maybe this whole place is a trap! It's unlikely though and the humming ahead continues on in a relaxed rate. Whomever is doing it doesn't seem to be in any hurry.

Moving towards it, Envoy still tries to be silent - she doesn't want to disturb the dreamer until she's sure her presence won't be disruptive.

The growth here is heavy but not impassible. A hundred feet or so in and Envoy finds the source of the humming. She's standing at the edge of a clearing looking out into a fast garden full of colorful flowers, trees, vines, and plants she can't even begin to recognize. Shuffling about near a stream that cuts through the center is a hunched over figure with a colorful shell on his back. Antenna flick this way and that as he he works the ground near the stream using a hoe to turn the earth. It holds the hoe in two humanoid-looking hands. Two disturbing-looking pinchers are holding ceramic pots containing an odd array of moving flowers. Why they're moving becomes apparent quickly when the creature turns a bit; two tentacle-looking appendages are tickling the flowers!

This is not what Envoy was expecting, so she comes closer to try and figure out what Barrabas is trying to achieve - never mind that dreams don't have to make sense; the ones she used to tend to follow logic of some sort. "Barrabas?" she says softly when she thinks she's close enough for the man to hear.

"Wah!" goes the old nohbakim, apparently not expecting anyone else to be around. His poor pots go flying up into the air ... and boy to the flowers actual squeal as they go! In fact, the sound they make sounds suspiciously like 'whee!' They land a few feet away and the pots thankfully do not break. "Who?" he says as he turns and sees Envoy. His antennae flick, then wilt. "Oh no," he mutters and all six of his appendages start wringing together.

"What is it?" Envoy asks, putting her hands on the man's upper shoulders. "It's me, don't you remember? I'm not dead, I'm on Morpheus, and visiting your dream."

"Oh!" Barrabas says, antennae perking. "I thought I was dead, because I had heard last you were dead and I thought ... you were coming to take me to, well ... uh, wherever people go when they die." His misshapen head looks about the garden and his poor tossed flowers. "Oh .. crabs, this is a dream? That means I haven't planted the flower bed yet. It's hard to do, you know. Planting poppies are hard because they pop." It's then that the comment about not being dead also seems to register with him. "And you're not dead you say? And on another planet? Dear me. How did you get there? Then here?"

"Well.. my supposed death on Behemoth was just me moving to a different part of the planet," Envoy explains, and describes the Balfin and Svartifim, the great Engines and bubble-verses. "I used those to get to Abaddon, and.. well, there's a lot more. I've adopted a son, a hybrid of human and Silent.. er.. Savanite. And I have some new people upset with me for some reason or other. But I wanted to see you, and say that I'm okay and will be visiting soon, hopefully, before I have to face the High Council on Caroban.."

"The Council," Barrabas mutters and his antennae flick in perhaps a representation of an eye-roll. "They complained at me for a long time about everything. Kept me under house arrest for a while. But ... that didn't make the Emir too happy, so they decided that I wasn't part of some great evil or other such silliness and I was let go. In reality they just want to keep their political ties in place. Still, can't complain. Even if it was fun to send those fire-beetles to infest the guards pants, it gets dull after the tenth day or so of watching them run around swatting ... did you say you have a son?"

"Icarus," Envoy says, smiling. "He's wonderful, and everything is still new to him. He's like me, a bit. He was made, and born an adolescent, and has knowledge he isn't aware of, and a lot of power."

"Does he have lots of arms? You can't have too many arms," Barrabas comments and even waves his own for emphasis. "And he was made so ... he looks like ... us? A mix?"

"He has two arms and two legs, but.. a thousand invisible fingers," Envoy says. "He looks human, with the skin of a cheetah and a blending of features. He's extremely symmetrical as well."

"A mage of science and biology, I suppose," Envoy explains, not quite sure to describe what Elsa does in clear terms. "A biomancer. She was human, but has altered herself to prolong her life so that she could see Icarus again."

"Oh, so she knows how to extend life though altering the body?" Barrabas asks, his antennae flicking about. "I think I would like to meet her too. We can discuss many things. She can meet my pets. It would get you to visit." That last bit comes with a clicking of disapproval from his odd jaws.

"I've been running into difficulties, but I'm working on a way to let me visit and travel without worry," Envoy promises. "I will be coming home."

"Well, then I guess I had better clean up your room. I had converted it into a new nursery for my experiments. I'm pretty sure i can get the smell out," Barrabas says as he rubs his chin with one of his tentacles. "You haven't explained how you managed to contact me this way yet."

"Oh, Morpheus is.. well, not exactly a god but he does have some influence over dreams, and was able to find yours for me," Envoy says. "He's.. sort of my boyfriend," she admits, unsure how her father figure will react.

Barrabas puts all six hands on his ... well, hips if he actually had any. "Aren't you too young to have a boyfriend?" he chides. "Especially one you haven't introduced me to? Is there something wrong with him?"

"Well.. he doesn't exactly have a living body," Envoy explains. "I have to make him one! And.. how old do I have to be?"

"Well ... hm," Barrabas says as he actually considers this. "I suppose that is okay. If he doesn't have a body he cannot harm your virtue. Wait, he couldn't anyway since your physiology lacks 'virtue'." His mandibles click, and he somehow seems slightly mollified for now.

Envoy wisely refrains from mentioning her time as the Avatar of Inala. "Have you been well?" she asks instead.

"Horrible bouts of gastritis for a few days. Pickled squibbit is not agreeable to me," Barrabas complains as thumps his own abdomen with one of his pinschers. "Otherwise I can be as well as expected. I'm old. Things ache, things fail."

"Nothing important is failing though, right?" Envoy asks. "Dr. Daedalus thinks she can rejuvenate you a bit and give you a few more years.."

"Not so far. The Emir has been keeping watch over me. Well, his servants have. He has promised to have the best doctors look after me if I need them," Barrabas claims. "And you are too young and full of life to be worrying about an old man who is long past his days in the sun." There is a pause, though, and he adds, "Even if he would like a few more years so that he could come to know his grandson. and maybe see his daughter married..."

"Married?!" Envoy asks, startled by the notion. It made her think back to the vision Inala gave her. "Well.. maybe when I'm older, yes."

"Of course," Barrabas says, "Don't you want to be given away by me? It's an expected part of life of a parent..." His mandible rolls a bit. "You did say you had someone courting you..."

"Yes, but.. I have to also sort of build him.." Envoy notes. "He's an intelligence that resides within the planet Morpheus, and doesn't have any actual body. It.. will be tricky.."

"I can help," Barrabas claims, "Lots of arms and legs. Maybe two heads? No, five tails..." His fingertips start tapping together as he plots.

"He already has.." Envoy starts to say, then pauses. From her own past, she knows: You can never have too many bodies.

"But ... that has to wait. First ... just please come home soon," Barrabas requests as his hands lower. "I will even come speak to the council on your behalf if you wish it."

"I will have to make sure to have a comfortable chair for you in the Gravy Boat," she adds. "It is to be my airship of sorts. I hope to finish outfitting it in Abu Dhabi."

"I don't know yet," Envoy admits. "Interior design is not my area of expertise. I'll leave the floral aspects to you."

"I promise that none will try to eat your feet," Barrabas claims. He actually smiles ... which given the shape of his head loots rather horrific. "Thank you for contacting me, daughter. When I heard you had died .. it felt like I had no real reason to continue on."

The girl hugs the old man, as best she's able, and then asks, "There's just one more thing though, father; why were you tickling the flowers?"

A four-armed, two tentacled, hug is a bit disturbing ... but no more so than other things Envoy has gone through. "Oh, that. They like it. It helps them generate more pollen," Barrabas claims. "It also ... huh?" Everything around Envoy dims suddenly. It may be that someone came and woke up Barrabas, because his dream apparently ended abruptly. Once more Envoy finds herself floating in nothingness...

"I hate it when that happens," Envoy mutters. "Last time was with Icarus, because of a goddess interrupting.."

Funny that Envoy should mention that. The darkness around her parts and she finds herself standing in an immaculate hall of white. Marble floors spread out around her and pillars reach upward, disappearing into the mists. Up ahead is a lavish pile of pillows with all manner of Eeee doing all manner of ... things to each other. Reclining above them is none other than Envoy's friend, Inala. "Well, hello there dear," the Eeee purrs at her from where she lounges on the large pillow. It's also then that Envoy feels a presence by her side, then feels the familiar hand of Morpheus close around hers. "I'm pleased your and your lover have decided to come to my temple..."

"Did.. did you know about this?" Envoy whispers to Morpheus - while studying his face in an attempt to be certain it is Morpheus.

"Know about a Goddess who tried to imprison me to use my abilities to manifest herself and all forms of her pleasures in the world?" Morpheus asks as he arches one brow and eyes Inala. "I knew she wished to speak to both of us, so I permitted contact once your link with your father was over. I did not expect to see an orgy."

Inala reaches down from her pillow to tickle one of the many Eeee in the pile before her in a sensitive place. "There is always a gathering of pleasure in my home, dear," Inala coos. "Where would a day be without physical pleasures, mmm?"

"Just not reproductive," Envoy comments with a slight grin. "So, what did you want to see us about, Inala?"

Inala flutters her eyelashes. "I cannot simply miss someone who has become like a daughter to me?" she asks Envoy.

"I never really saw myself as your daughter," Envoy notes. "That suggests you hope to influence me somehow."

Inala rolls onto her back and looks at the pair upside down. "You didn't?" she asks, sounding hurt. "I would only claim the body of one of my daughters. Don't you want to be my daughter, Envoy?"

"Now that is a double-edged question if I ever heard one," Murpheus remarks a bit dryly.

"I think I already answered that when I chose to damage my own brain to get you out of my body," Envoy notes. "You went too far, and endangered my friends."

"Would you forgive me if I said I was sorry?" Imala asks. she's still laying on her back and looking at Envoy upside-down. Of course Inala on her back is a traditional pose...

"Are you sorry?" Envoy asks skeptically. "That.. seems anathema to your personality."

"I am sorry that I failed in teaching you the virtues of being one of mine. I think you would have been much happier as one mof my Daughters. Don't they look happy?" Inala asks. She waves to the pile of bodies still going at ... various things.

"The ones I met in the Temple did not seem very happy," Envoy admits. "The Yodhbarada at least seemed amused by things.."

"Well, perhaps things will change. I have heard their unhappiness, fear not," Inala claims. "And I want my Daughters happy. Just like I want you happy."

"I don't know if we have the same ideas of happiness," Envoy points out. "What do you think will make me happy?"

"Oh, getting to he with your lover, there," Inala says and waggles her fingers at Morpheus, then blows him a kiss. "And other things like making sure your son is safe ... and that you are all whole again..."

"How can..." Envoy starts to ask, then claps her mouth shut. The whole Child thing did help, after all. "I'd prefer to keep Icarus safe from all deific entities, which would include the Kindly Ones as well."

Inala looks hurt. "Even me?" she asks and actually pouts. "He's approaching the age where he will need me," she claims.

Inala laughs at that! "Puberty," she answers as she rolls over to her stomach. "Unless you would prefer it that I let my Dear sister Gorphat manage that physical transition?"

"He doesn't need you for that," Envoy says, waggling a finger. "It will happen by itself, if it happens at all."

"Yes he does! He needs to learn to find the joy in it!" Inala claims. "But, I suppose you don't really understand what that is, do you?"

"I remember the dreams from when I was your Avatar," Envoy says. "Even if I was just a puppet in them and it had no emotional context.."

"Aha. See? You don't understand," Inala asserts as she pushes herself up to sitting, then up to her feet. She saunters over the pile of bodies surrounding her pillow (which causes all sorts of squeaks!) as she heads right towards Envoy and Morpheus.

"Be mindful. I could dismiss this link in a moment if you try anything at all," Morpheus warns the approaching Goddess. "We are here only because I am permitting it. I am not bound by you or your Sisters anymore."

"Are you scared of me, Envoy?" Inala asks once she's within touching distance of the pair.

"I would be foolish not to be," Envoy admits, standing closer to her partner now. "You might try to seduce Morpheus, even though you cut his heart out before.."

Inala spreads her arms. "I only wish to make amends," she claims. "I want you to trust me and accept me in your hearts."

"Because you have not accepted my gift yet, of course!" Inala says. She waves her right hand with flourish and a white box appears in it, complete with a blue ribbon holding it shut. She holds it out to both of them.

"I did accept.. You mean this is a different one?" Envoy asks, eyeing the box.

"Then it isn't much of a surprise, is it? Just unwrap it and find out," Inala urges and offers the box again.

Looking to Morpheus, Envoy asks, "If it's something.. If we don't like it, you can get us out of here, right?"

"I can sever the connection any time. My realm is that of dreams and I have ultimate say," Morpheus says. "And right now, this is but a dream, created by ... her." HE gestures towards Inala.

"Don't give her ideas," Envoy notes, and then takes the box with some trepidation. "Are there any strings attached to accepting this gift?" she asks the goddess.

"That if you like it, you will reconsider your feelings about me," Inala answers, all smiles. "That's a simple thing, isn't it?"

"I reconsider them every time we meet," Envoy admits.. and then plucks at the ribbon.

The dainty blue ribbon unravels with a single tug and falls away, leaving just the lid of the box between her and her ... gift.

The inside of the box is a pillow that looks like it's made from zolk. Resting on top of the pillow are two silver rings. They're simple and understated, a band of silver with only enough of a curl and dip in one section to imply Inala's personal rune. The blue lapis-lazuli inlaid into it serves to accentuate the effect.

"It's a special gift," Inala says. She's apparently not one to just explain everything, is she?

"Yes! That's all you do. Very simple!" Inala claims. "And before you ask, nothing bad will happen. Promise!" The Goddess makes the mark of the flower over her own heart.

Taking a ring from the box, Envoy looks at Morpheus and asks, "Should we try them?"

Morpheus takes the other one and eyes it critically. "There is an old saying about bewareing a Goddess bearing gifts," he points out. "But I do have control over this moment, the risk is ... minimal."

"Give me your left hand then," Envoy says, rolling the ring between her thumb and forefinger.

"With this ring, I do something.. that my father will probably not approve of," Envoy recites, and slips the ring onto Morpheus's ring finger.

And ... nothing happens other than Morpheus now has a shiny silver ring on his otherwise black hand. It glitters like a circle of stars around his finger. "You're supposed to do things fathers do not approve of. That's all part of growing up," Inala claims.

Morpheus wiggles his fingers. "I feel nothing other than a ring," he finally concludes.

"Given your relationship with your own father, I'll take that with a grain of salt," Envoy replies to Inala, and holds out her left hand to Morpheus.

"With this ring ... I promise to give Inala nightmares of ... celibacy if anything bad happens," Morpheus recites as he slips the ring on Envoy's finger. The ring is cool to the touch and pretty ... but otherwise seems inert.

"No one trusts me anymore," Inala laments and puts her hand to her forehead. This is followed my a marked sigh.

"Right, well, the first part is done. The second part is up to you two! Ta!" Inala says as she hops backwards a few feet, then blows them both a kiss!

The girl stares at the ring now, and spreads the fingers of her left hand, just in case. "It's tingling," she notes.

The tingling grows worse. It feels like it's crawling up her arm from the inside! The temple scene around them fades away into mists. They're still standing on a marble floor, but at least the writhing pile of worshipers is gone.

"This is like when I picked up that golem control crystal.." Envoy mutters, barely noticing the changes around her.

The tingle spreads and spreads, crawling through her body. It doesn't feel bad, but is sure feels weird ... and only feels odder as time passes. Soon it feels like her lower gut is squirming around on her; as if she had eaten a dozen squibbits, or worse. And of course it doesn't stop there because it feels like her body just pulled part of itself inside it. "I think I know what the 'gift' was," Morpheus remarks. He tone is both an odd mix of amusement and worry.

"It feels weird," Envoy notes, and starts shedding her clothes so she can see what's happening.

What's happening is pretty apparent once her clothing is shed. The lower part of her stomach curves out just a slight bit more than it used to and her hips feel a bit wider. The oddest part of it all is that she now has a bit of golden downy fluff surrounding a new ... hole in her body. A hole that is suspiciously shaped like a female Eeee's reproductive organs.

"You made me.. female?" Envoy asks. "I mean, physically! I've got.. tips on my batteries too.."

"Quite, that confirms my theory," Morpheus remarks. He rubs the ridge of his nose and chuckles slightly. Around them the mists shift again and they find themselves alone on what seems like the top of a mountain in an open-air room looking our over beautiful green countryside. The sunlight is bright, the air is warm, and the feeling is peaceful. There also happens to be a large pile of pillows in the shape of a round bed right in the center of the chamber, rather like a nest, really.

"Well, I don't know if it extends beyond this ... dream of a sorts, but it looks like she did," Morpheus says. "I think her gift was to give you a way to experience ... Her blessings and gifts. Without her being in control of your body." His tone is ... well, not worried. More confused?

"It makes wearing pants harder," Morpheus remarks in deadpan. "It seems she's a fan of close well endowed Eeee men. It feels like there's part of a young vartan hiding down there. How do males function in daily life with such a distraction?"

"I'm pretty sure that is part of their function," Envoy says, and eyes the pants in question. "Sooooo... what do we do now?" she asks.

"I could terminate this dream," Morpheus suggests. "Or ... we could do what Inala probably wants and find out how this is all supposed to work."

"Well.. It would help with explaining things to Icarus.. and maybe Cypher.." Envoy admits.

"Of course if we do engage in this ... it might make your real form change to match," Morpheus warns. "In theory. Accepting of a gift. I cannot be certain, of course ... but I thought I should warn you of the possibility..."

"In dealing with the Goddesses ... it is hard to be certain of anything and how far their abilities may reach," Morpheus says and holds up his right index finger. "So, the question is ... do you wish to risk the experiment?"

"Does it mean I'd have to learn how to use a toilet too?" Envoy asks, looking confused. "But.. it's a dream. And we're a couple, right? So this should be normal."

"I do not know. I don't think it will translate to anything in the waking world," Morpheus admits as he starts awkwardly shedding the few clothes that he wears. Once he's down to nothing but black fur it's easy to tell he wasn't kidding about Inala and her apparent like of endowment. His gift isn't quite a vartan build, but it's not too far off.

Envoy blinks, and has to ask, "How do you make it work? In the other dreams they were always.. well.. ready.."

"I think we should go to the pillows and well ... figure out how everything works," Morpheus suggests as he heads towards the 'nest'. "I can draw from many dreams I have observed, of course. I do not think the chains and paddles are necessary; not all dreams use them..."

"I've never seen animals use them either," Envoy says, and climbs onto the bed.. and just sort of falls into a suggestive pose. "Maybe I'm supposed to seduce you. I've done that.. although I'm pretty sure that soldier died.."

Morpheus actually bites his lip as he thinks. "I can see across the entire system and the dreams of all ... you would think I would know what to do but ... it's a bit different when you're part of it," he admits as he lies down next to Envoy. So ... I guess it's like anything unknown; experiment and see what works and doesn't work. And the off khatta-Eeee leans in and kisses her in this strange dream. It's awkward. Then again everything that happens over what feels like the next two hours is pretty awkward. There are points of laughter from each of them when something goes comically awry, such as Morpheus leaning on her hair at one point, or getting wings tangled up ... or the time they both accidentally rolled out of the pillows and onto the cold floor. Yet, in spite of that Envoy finds it educational in a new way; she learns what it feels like to simply want something.

It's almost like a tingle in her gut, but not quite. It's a strange feeling of need that is hard to describe. When the two finally figure out how to ease their bodies together ... it's a whole new experience. All those weird dreams when Inala had hold of her take on somewhat of a new meaning. At least she has a vague understanding of why most species do this. Yes, it feels really good ... but the feeling that comes from it being with someone who really matters to you is the best part of all. And in the back of her mind ... Envoy realizes that's something all those off dreams Inala gave her could never have provided; being with someone she truly cared about.

This wouldn't be so bad.. once I make a proper body for Morpheus, Envoy thinks, when she has the focus. At least now I know what else it needs.. After that, well.. thinking is somewhat secondary to developing instinct..