Owls are in about the same league as snakes, when it comes to expressiveness of face, but the owl manages to look a little less severe in response to Callie's smile and introduction, blinking slowly. "As am I."

The Doctor in no way missed her cherub appearance or its significance. It had been an easy problem to avoid dealing with, in the waking world, where she manages to avoid her natural existence in all but the most direly exhausted situations. But it was bound to come up sooner or later, if she really can't change it at all in the dreaming. "You know, dressing like the grim reaper isn't likely to make a better first impression," he manages to scold only slightly. "Besides, beaches are for relaxing. Picnics. Sandcastles. Hunting seashells." Running from sea monsters. Saying teary goodbyes. Watching the moon turn out to have been an egg the whole time. "Not for fretting."