Dragon lies on the organic bed, which perfectly shapes itself to hold her form. Above her, the sphincter that deposited her in this chamber in the first place convulses, then bursts open, spewing bucket-loads of water, and instantly ruining the Dragon's repose. Through the opening, the echoing laughter of Child and Playmate can be heard, along with a chorus of, "Wake up, sleepyhead! It's time to pla-ayyyyyyy!" The portal then seals again, shutting off the giggling, squeaking and snorting that follows. Even as the small deluge of water collects on the floor, it starts to disperse, as pores open up to drain off the excess fluid, and gusts of air blow out of trifurcated beak-like nozzles in the walls.

The Aspect stirs enough to glare up at the sphincter. "Playmate is becoming a bad influence," she mutters. She hasn't eaten or drank anything since being locked away from the others, and the downpour reminds her of this more than the grumbling of her stomach and lack of strength have.

Perhaps fortunately, the tittering is effectively sealed off by the now-closed portal. After a few seconds (if, indeed, Dragon's perception of the passage of time is at all representative of actual events), the bulk of the water has been drained away, and the vents continue to blow-dry what remains.

Since she's up anyway, Dragon decides to see if she can access the memory viewer that Black Father brought up on his last visit. She makes her way over to the cluster of control surfaces on one wall, and begins twisting and squeezing the sequence she memorized.

The monitor blinks open, and her rote repetition of the commands brings up a replay of the same memory sequence. The exercise is sufficient for her to get an opportunity to examine the controls in greater detail. While this is most certainly not a "standard" Stela-Rhyan vessel, by any means, there are still elements that appear to be drawn from her memories of such, combined with other organic technologies from the database, or else elements of non-organic technologies translated into organic form. With a bit of work, she can probably mess around with this, and figure out the controls better.

She continues to fiddle with the controls, trying to get a real-time or recent memory with the ones she assumes to be time-related. Her hope is to find out if Envoy has been using any active magic since becoming Inala's Avatar, and what sort of physical impact the experience is having.

With a bit of poking around, Dragon manages to sort through a great deal of gobbledygook, and finds a log of activity of what presumably must represent magic usage, though here it's described as the "Primary Metaphysical Alteration Chamber," or something like that. It's frustratingly fuzzy on the exact details. Whomever constructed this dream environment probably doesn't have quite as great a grasp of the information contained within Envoy's memories as Dragon does. In any case, if the log is being interpreted correctly, Envoy has not performed so much as a cantrip since becoming Inala's Avatar. However, there is some sort of a "Trans-Reality Conduit", with a bunch of technobabble attached that seems to describe something akin to magic … and it seems it has been used a great deal.

Alas, there don't seem to be any recent memories here. The memory that was replayed earlier appears to be in some sort of a buffer, transferred to that location from some sort of remote control. If there is some means for Dragon to directly access the memory database from here, she hasn't figured out the proper controls yet. Basically, all that previous sequence of controls does is to play whatever's sitting in the buffer.

Dragon taps her chin with a claw as she digests this information. To her, it suggests some sort of constant link being maintained between Envoy and Inala – easy enough to see since the Mother and Playmate are always active, and Envoy hasn't returned to her normal "whole" mind while awake. If the link is maintained by magic, though, then there should be some way to block it. "Now, I just have to convince the others to send Envoy into one of the Sifran crystal-laced chambers within the bowels of Caroban. Or maybe that talisman of Elise's would suffice, if I could get it."

"In any case, I need to find a way to communicate with someone on the outside," Dragon concludes.

With yet more poking and prodding, Dragon briefly calls up a map of the … "vessel" … and manages to locate the "transmitter array". It does not appear, near as she can tell, that there are any controls here for sending a message outside the vessel. After a bit of study, it appears to her that the only way of accomplishing this would be to get to the Bridge (and get control of the communications console), or else to bypass the usual controls. Without detailed schematics of each possible node, it looks like the most obvious place to do this would be at the maintenance access to the transmitter array … which is located toward the fore of the vessel, and far from this particular room.

The Dragon begins to plan different scenarios, but they all have a critical flaw – even if she could get to the "transmitter", she couldn't use it without the others knowing. Unless she can find a way to use it in a way they wouldn't notice, but someone on the outside would, like having Envoy's right hand sign 'Dragon Prisoner' every time she gestured with it. "But the one most likely to notice that is the Dean of Nightmares – not exactly the best choice." She continues to study the diagram, this time looking for a way to at least control the door to her chamber.

With a bit of searching, Dragon manages to find a diagram overlay that shows passages that are locked and unlocked. If she understands the diagram correctly, the portal to her chamber is unlocked. A timestamp indicates (again, if she's interpreting it correctly) that it has been fairly recently unlocked. However, lacking any sort of definite scale to compare it to, it's hard to say what exactly "recently" entails.

"Perhaps Child unlocked it when she woke me up?" Dragon muses, and then goes over to see if she can open the door.

With an experimental touch, Dragon is able to verify what the monitor suggested. The portal convulses, then pulls open, revealing a plain but organic corridor just outside. It is only very dimly lit by glowing tubes running along the sides of the floor.

Stepping outside, she decides to go to the Bridge via the path she saw on the schematic. If Child is still there, she might be able to convince her to try some magic, but mostly she wants to know what Envoy's current status is.

It takes some time for Dragon to work her way along the passages. There are several portals that have been closed, and which do not open for Dragon. She passes by some windows that show the exterior of the vessel – and by what she can see, it appears that the exterior is decorated in a pattern of white and gold, and that it hovers above the planet of Morpheus. An access tube leading back up to the Bridge level is ahead … but it may require some coaxing or experimentation to get the thing to function.

Dragon eyes the tube, figuring it to be something like the sphincter that runs to her cabin, full of little 'fingers' that move one along in the desired direction. She tries the contact areas to see if she can get it to open up for her.

With a bit of prodding … Dragon manages to get it to open. Yes, she's getting the hang of this. However, each new device still takes her a little time to figure out. If she's having to beat a hasty retreat, this could pose potential problems.

Sure enough, the interior is much like the tube that deposited her in the cabin. Presumably, it is capable of pushing her both up and down.

The Dragon decides to try it. If she gets stuck, she's sure to be discovered soon enough, and she really doesn't believe the other Aspects represent any kind of threat to her, so she climbs into the tube.

Unlike her earlier descent, the fingers don't seem to be nudging her in any particular direction. Rather, as she starts to climb, it's as if the tube gets the idea, and starts helping her along. Eventually, she makes her way up to the level that the map indicated was the Bridge level, and with a simple act of opening the portal – which she's now getting quite proficient at – another corridor opens before her. Squeaking and giggles can be heard, along with what sounds like a bouncing ball.

Perking her ears as she moves down the corridor, Dragon tries to locate the Child and Playmate on her way to the Bridge.

There are various branching corridors, and it would seem that they are rapidly exploring them. Up ahead, something that looks like a large leathery egg bounces across the corridor, soon pursued by a little white bat, and a little version of Envoy. "I've got it! I've got it!" Child cries out, and then there's a crashing noise, quickly followed by more giggling.

Once the children have cleared the corridor, Dragon tries to hurry past to the Bridge without being spotted.

There's another crash and a squeal of laughter, which nicely covers any sounds that Dragon might make in her dash. Her body is showing its exhaustion, however, and her hurrying is not as nearly as fast as she might prefer.

Dragon wheezes a bit as she is forced to slow down to a fast walk, but is determined to get to the Bridge … even though she does have to pause to catch her breath now and then.

There is more squealing, and then the tell-tale *ponk* of the ball bouncing nearby. It bounces right out into the corridor a wing's width in front of Dragon, and the patter of footsteps can be heard not far behind, coming down the side corridor the ball emerged from.

The Dragon backs up, trying to reach a different side hall before the children can spot her. Why do they have to be so fast?

As the Dragon backs up, a little bat shoots past, flying down the corridor, followed quickly by the Child. At first, it seems as if they're past, but then there's the sound of footsteps, as a curious little face peers back into the corridor. "Dragon?" the Child asks, though she hasn't spied Dragon's hiding place just yet.

Dragon tries to quiet her breathing, as out-of-breath as she is, and comes up with a plan in case Child comes over and finds her.

More bouncing can be heard, as the ball has not yet come to a stop, along with the delighted squeaks of the bat. Child, however, timidly trots down the corridor, heading generally in the direction of Dragon's hiding place. "Draaaagon?" she loudly whispers. "Are you there? Are you being naughty?"

Naughty?! Dragon pokes her head out into the corridor, and says, "I'm not the one dumping buckets of water on people, young lady. But you've found me now, so I'm 'it' for this round. I'll count to one-hundred before I try to find you, okay?"

Child squeals in surprise! "Don't start counting yet! I'm not reaaaaady!" And then she immediately dashes down one of the other side corridors. "Now I'm ready!" she calls back, followed by another crash and a giggle.

Dutifully, Dragon covers her eyes and starts loudly counting, "One … two … three … four," and so on up to one hundred, before declaring, "Ready or not, here I come!" She listens for any tell-tale giggles, and then proceeds on down the corridor towards the Bridge.

Sure enough, Child can't help but to giggle, letting Dragon know that she's far removed from the central corridor. This gives her a good head start. She manages to reach the portal, and passes some portals on either side that would lead to the escape pods (for all the good that would do).

Dragon eyes the escape pods as she tries to open the main portal, wondering what would happen if she managed to get Mother or Playmate into one…

The portal proves to be … locked.

"Child! Where did you go?" Playmate's voice calls out, followed by a "Shhh! I'm hiding! And you can't have my spot!"

Turning back around, Dragon heads to where she heard Child. She can play along until the opportunity arises to get Child to open the Bridge to her.

There's more pattering about, and flapping of wings. Every once in awhile, there is another giggle, allowing Dragon to pinpoint the Child's location … or, that is, to a certain extent. She makes her way into what appears to be a featureless cul-de-sac. The giggling did come from this direction, but it's abruptly gotten quiet here, and there's no sign of a miniature Envoy to be seen.

The bat's voice squeaks out from a few side-corridors down, "Where aaaaare you? Chiiiiild! Come out and plaaaa-aaayyyyyy! This isn't fun anymore!"

Dragon blinks at this, and examines the walls for hidden nooks or portals, and tries to ignore the cries of Playmate. "You must be in here somewhere, and I know you wouldn't cheat by going someplace I couldn't follow," she says as she pokes about.

The search yields some results. She finds a soft section that gives when she touches it … and with a squishing, schlorping sound, one of the walls of the cul-de-sac pries open into a tunnel … perhaps one of the maintenance accesses indicated on the maps. The Child squeals as she's spotted, and dashes down the other way. It's a short passage – tall enough for her to run down, but forcing the Dragon to have to crawl if she's to give pursuit.

Grinning, Dragon climbs into the tunnel. In here, Child probably can't hear Playmate calling. "I'm coming in after you now!" she croons and makes her way – slowly – after the smaller Aspect.

The patter of feet ends as Child hops out the other end. Then, she peers mischievously back into the tunnel. "Hellloooooo, Dragon!" She waves with one hand, though her other hand is out of sight.

Dragon pushes herself to try and reach the end of the tunnel before Child can vanish again, in the hopes of keeping her moving away from Playmate. It's hard though, as weak as she is.

Right as Dragon is about to reach the end of the tunnel, Child waves again, and moves her out-of-sight hand. "See you later!" Then, there's a shifting sensation, and a sickening schorch as the tunnel contracts! Child busts out laughing, and runs away, as the tunnel closes around Dragon!

"Cheater!" Dragon gasps as the breath is squeezed out of her by constricting walls. She tries to reach out to where the opening was, hoping she's close enough to trigger it again.

With a desperate lunge, Dragon manages to reach out of the tunnel … but in the time it takes to pat around to find the control, the tunnel closes on her. She can feel it pressing against her … and then contorting and convulsing. She suddenly gets the sensation of being shot backward at considerable velocity, her wings being swept before her … and then with a wet POP, she is expelled back out the other side!

Groaning where she lands, Dragon doesn't even try to move. Everything aches, and she is too busy taking deep, painful breaths to do much more than look at her surroundings.

There's another giggle … and then Child dashes down the main corridor, momentarily in sight of the Dragon. "Neener! You won't catch me before I reach home base!"

"No, I likely won't," Dragon agrees wheezily, and tries to get herself to sit upright at least.

Her body aches, the wings worst of all, but she manages to get upright with some effort. The bat's voice can be squeaking, "Where are you going?" Child's voice answers, "Race you to home base!"

Dragon sits in the same spot for awhile, trying to gather up the strength walk back to the Bridge. If she waits by the entry, she should be able to get in when someone else does … unless the Bridge has been abandoned by everyone except Probe. Her overall helplessness raises a spark of draconic anger in her, but not much more than that. Anger isn't very useful to Dragon.

There is a sound of a portal opening. "Ha! Beat you!" Playmate squeaks triumphantly. "No fair!" Child protests, and drops to her feet to pad the rest of the way. By the time Dragon gets to a point where she can see, the portal to the Bridge is snapping shut again.

"So that's home base," she mutters, barely a whisper, and begins to crawl as best she can towards the portal. No sense in trying to stand up, she reasons, knowing that she'd only have that much farther to fall.

Dragon continues to crawl along, left by herself for the time being. Then … the door splits open again. This time, it is Father who steps out.

Raising her head, Dragon tries to see if the new Mother is with him this time.

No, it looks like he's alone again. Once the door closes, he looks about, not yet spying Dragon. "Dragon," he calls out, "are you out here?"

Dragon makes a groaning sound, rather than trying to speak. Hopefully it will be enough to get Father's attention.

Father manages to make his way over to Dragon, and looks down. "I suspected as much. I did not suppose that there was anyone left to be 'it' out here." He frowns. "Pardon me for stating the obvious, but you are not well."

Dragon manages to sit up again, leaning back against the wall. "Child nearly killed me. She was never so cruel before."

A sad expression comes to Father's eyes. When he speaks, it sounds mechanical, as if he's reciting something as a cheap actor on a Bazaar stage. "It must be a misunderstanding." He finds another growth on the wall, and manages to produce a protrusion that serves as a couch, which he lifts Dragon up and onto, then proceeds to check her wings. The touch is initially painful, but then soothing. It doesn't send Dragon into waves of ecstacy, nor does it try, thank goodness. "You will be all right," he declares.

"Where's your keeper?" Dragon asks as she's ministered to. "Aren't you worried she'll become suspicious, or jealous?"

"Bitterness will not aid you," Father says. "I am not your enemy. Here. You need nourishment. In this environment, we need to eat, drink and sleep. I do not yet understand what exactly that means."

"It is a trap," Dragon says. "If I eat or drink here, it will all be more real for me. I'll become a part of it, just like Inala wants. You remember the rules … it's not safe to eat in the dream realm."

Father frowns. "I shall not argue your logic. But I shall do for you what I can." He massages the dragon's muscles, and it does ease the aches and pains, but it does not restore her vitality.

"Father, you must realize that being an Avatar is a death sentence," Dragon whispers, relaxing a little more. "If Inala does not burn us out, we will end up as a sacrifice or a martyr. Why won't you resist? Is the Mother's companionship worth our existence?"

Father replies, "Envoy's purpose is to save Morpheus. Inala has the power to save Morpheus. Envoy so far has done nothing to violate her moral code. There is no sign to indicate that Envoy is being burned out. I am obliged to protect the other Aspects, and to try to coordinate them, but now I am obliged to protect Inala as well."

"Protect her from whom?" Dragon asks. "Why can't you protect me from her as well? I will die soon, at this rate. And Inala will attempt to replace me, but in the end Envoy will not survive without me."

"She is not harming you," the Father says. "You are starving yourself. I will not force you to eat or drink until such point that it is obvious you will do irreparable damage to yourself. At that point, I will force you to drink and then to eat if need be. If a condition arises in which Envoy is threatened, then I shall have to evaluate any conflicting obligations."

Dragon drops her head into hands and rubs her temples. "Does it seem reasonable then to ask Inala about her efforts on behalf of Morpheus? I would like to see him again, or at least speak directly with the Goddess."

The Father looks off to the wall. "The thought has occurred to me. But whenever I am in the presence of Inala, I am always distracted." He looks back to Dragon. "I will try again, next time. Hopefully, there will be no distractions."

"She doesn't distract me," Dragon says, grasping for any chance she can. "Let me talk to her alone. Or to … Mother. Mother can contact Inala, I presume?"

Father furrows his brow. "No … you must not see her … yet." He looks strained. "I … I am shielding you from her … I do not know why … She wishes you no harm… "

Dragon considers this. "Are you shielding me from her, or her from me then? Has she asked to see me?"

Father puts his own hands to his head. "I … can't … answer … that … now."

Turning her head to look at the Father, Dragon says, "You obviously have your own doubts about things. Can we at least ask for outside help?"

Father breathes heavily, then says, "I … don't know how. I have not given it much thought. When I think for too long on something … " He lets that sentence drop, then looks toward the door. "Mother will be asking after me soon. She will remember you, and discover that you are not in your room. I wish to maintain peace, and it would disturb the peace if she discovered you had left your room."

Sighing, Dragon asks, "Can you help me back to there then? I will try to do what is needed to maintain my health, until I can meet with Mother."

"That I can do," Father says, and then he picks up the Dragon. "I am … sorry," he says, in a low whisper, as he begins to carry her down the corridor.

"I don't place any blame with you, Father," Dragon says, nearly dozing off as she's carried. "I should not have let us be tricked in the first place."