Kalila fought and fought to surface from the cold ocean, but it was fighting just as hard to keep her. She could feel her heartbeat slow, and the cold was becoming so comforting. It was tempting to just give in and to just go to sleep. But she didn't dare close her eyes. She remembered Leila, and the events that led up to this moment. She screamed her refusal and managed to pull herself free from Death's Grip to live another day! She didn't drown! She is breathing!

Or…so she thought…?

The next thing she saw after taking in a sharp inhale of air, was the familiar landscape of stars around her in the darkness. Was she dreaming again? Or is this the afterlife? It was genuinely hard for her to tell at this moment. She still felt the cold clinging to her body despite her efforts.

Her attention is drawn to the brightest star moving closer to her. That star took an actual form instead of just smoke or fire! She couldn’t help but stare in awe and wonder. Who is he? Whoever he was, Kalila immediately got the sense that he is ancient and powerful. Despite that, he doesn't resemble the shadow that had been following her at all! That ominous feeling is practically non-existent with this figure. Before she could say anything, he speaks!

He mentioned a servant of his not possessing a heart as kind as hers. Despite the casual statement, she could hear the hint of an apology in there. She hadn’t expected an apology for the violence she endured. One fluid gesture from him was enough to stave off the cold! By the time he spoke his reassurance that she’s safe, the fear and anxiety was already gone for the moment.

She was about to ask questions, but she couldn’t as he drifted closer and made it clear that she will finally have the answers she sought. And the dream ends as abruptly as it started…! Bright sunlight breaks through the night sky and almost burns her eyes.

[hr]

Kalila groans as she wakes up. She coughs and spits out any sand that may have gotten into her mouth accidentally. She was glad to feel the warmth of a fire nearby but she noted that she still felt so weak. Just getting herself to a sitting position was arduous! Despite the pain, she didn't give up on trying to move. 

She notes that she has been displaced again. This definitely isn't the back room of Miller's shop! And she's not alone: The shadow who had been following her and Garrek was in front of her and not hidden! Her gaze becomes cautious and somewhat guarded as she takes in the Owl's appearance. [I]Was she the one who summoned that monster that almost killed her?[/i]

Kalila had no idea what to expect, but she certainly didn’t expect an owl humanoid with feathers evaporating into that blue vapor. She heard her words while Kalila sat up, and that just brought more questions! "[I]Pick me? Pick me for what?![/I]" Kalila couldn't help but think to herself. She groans in slight annoyance to the owl, “Not a princess! Ow! How would you like it if I just called you an owl instead of your name?”

After she manages to get herself into a stable sitting posture without worrying about falling over from her lack of strength, she looks at the owl woman, and speaks, “I have [i]so[/i] many questions. But let's start with this: Who are you, and where are we?”

[hider=OOC]Edited to polish up the phone post. ^^"[/hider]