"It happens periodically, yeah," she says, unable to keep from smirking a little at the look from the cat. "Dreams in different places each time, but everyone has these companions - I experienced it once, a little before you came through, I think. This is Aqil."

Aqil bows his head politely. A far cry from how he was acting around Greta. Well, it would be, wouldn't it?

"As far as I can tell they're - part of us," she says, energized by her own curiosity on the subject. "Possibly a metaphysical part, manifested as a talking animal. Been pondering the implications all night." She grins broadly. It's nice to talk about theories instead of being dismal about shit going awry for a change.