Melanie and Nikolaos aren't exactly at ease, but they know it's a dream, so they're attempting to ignore the fear that's crouching in the back of their minds. In an effort to make them both feel better, Nikolaos has been sticking to large, powerful shapes - large enough for Melanie to ride on his back. He's currently in the shape of some sort of giant cat. He's pretty sure he's a lion, though Melanie isn't so sure about the brindled coat. Aren't lions just sandy-colored? But it's not worth arguing over, and it's best that they keep their voices down, anyway - the better to listen for others. Frightened people do stupid things.

But when Nikolaos smells something familiar up ahead (a beat before Melanie does, and she can feel how smug he is about that), all thoughts of avoidance flee their minds. He bounds forward with Melanie clinging to his fur, and when they finally reach the angel, his shape changes into that of an enormous dog, tail wagging like mad.

"Aziraphale!" Melanie beams, sliding off of Nikolaos's back with practiced ease. They've been traveling like this for some time, now. "We've been looking everywhere for you!" She wants to hug him, but the snake curled around the angel's shoulders gives her pause. It's probably not a normal snake, but all the more reason to avoid pinching it accidentally. Instead, she leans over a little so she can look the snake in the eye and offer it a soft but cheery, "Hello."