The Nomad Chronicles

I am walking with Angel in the Biodome through a dark part of a rainforest, holding hands.[I] We don't hold hands a often, maybe because we are in our 30's. But we've been physically separate for awhile, so we were probably doing this because we miss each other. [/I]

We are talking about how the plants and animals in the Biodome are evolving. The forest changes from tropical to a more temperate climate. We come upon Raven in a clearing. She sighs quietly to herself. She seems to know we are there, but she doesn't acknowledge our presence. Angel tells me to go talk to her.

Raven is petting a little white rabbit. It seems to smile as it nuzzles her. She is staring at a butterfly on a flower.[IMG]http://www.rheaultsci.org/images/Ecology_Images/karner_blue_butterfly.jpg[/IMG]

Look at it, Nate. So simple and so beautiful. It has such a simple dream life. Do you think it was a butterfly in a past physical life? Is it dreaming?

She turns to me.

Nate, I want to stay here forever.

But, we are here forever.

No, I just want to leave the physical world, and stay in the dream plane forever.

Well, you aren't going to die physically any time soon, I hope.

No, I just wish I could ... leave!

I know how you feel.

I'm cold, Nate.

I put a blanket on Raven.

Come with me. I stand her up, and give her some hot chocolate. I open a door portal to the cottage of Silverwolf. Angel follows us through. Silverwolf opens the door, smiling broadly. Hi, you two? Oh, who's that? Hi!

This is Angel, Silverwolf.

Hi! Oh, Raven, what's wrong dear? Come sit by the fire. Pixy, make Raven some nice soup. I walk Raven to a big chair by the fire. She stares into it. A shaggy grey dog walks to Raven, and nuzzles her hand.

Pixy and Angel stare at each other strangely. They look almost like the same person, but the hair and eye color is different. Pixy stands on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. Angel slaps her, then Pixy gets absorbed into Angel. Pixy-Angel looks at me with a startled look.

You just slapped a version of yourself, I laugh.

oh!

Pixy de-merges from Angel and laughs. Angel looks disoriented. Spike appears and whispers something to Raven, and kisses her on the forehead. He stands up, nods to me with his bright blue eyes, and winks out of sight. Basara slowly appears in the overstuffed chair near Raven. He plays his epic guitar softly. The energy of the dream alters, becoming more harmonious.