Katerina's tower looms out of the desert before them. Amy squints into the early morning haze, her eyes struggling to make sense of two small shapes moving excitedly around the tower's peak. "Are those...are those girls flying?" she asks, stunned. "Yes," Emma smiles, recalling the wonder she felt the first time she saw the girls take to the air. "Are they...fairies?" "No, they're called Shinkae. They look like children - they even act like children sometimes - but they're actually much older than you and I combined. They live here with Katerina; she'll be taking care of us." "They move so gracefully," Amy says, her voice lost in wonder. "Beautiful. It's like they're...like they're dancing in the wind." "They're excited," Emma says, starting to laugh, happy to be home. "They can sense us coming." A few minutes later a tall figure dressed in blue emerges from the tower and walks toward them. Even from this distance, Emma can see Katerina is beaming. "Welcome back, sweetheart," Katerina says, grasping Emma's hand with delight. "I'm so glad to see you safe." "It's good to be back," Emma says, and nods toward Amy. "This is Amy, she was a new recruit. She's only been in the Temple a couple of days." "Well a warm welcome to you, Amy," Katerina says, taking Amy's arm in her other hand. "My home is your home. You will be very comfortable here, for as long as you wish to stay." Amy nodes politely but says nothing, still transfixed by the Shinkae hovering silently nearby. So fair, so beautiful. Katerina turns back to Emma, a wide grin forming across her lips. "Come inside, Emma. I have a wonderful surprise for you." The girls start toward the tower, Amy still staring silently at the flying creatures. The blond Shink suddenly breaks the silence, her voice child-like but hinting of a wisdom beyond her years. "Try not to be afraid. You are safe here." The other Shink swoops in, playfully tugging at her sister's wing as she passes. "You're trying to make a decision. There's something you've been told to do; but now you've met us, you're not sure whether to go through with it. Try not to let it upset you - there is still plenty of time for you to decide. But for now...it's time to play!" And with that, the two Shinkae pounce on Amy, tickling and wrestling her to the ground, giggling all the while. After a moment's shock, Amy tickles them back. The burdens of the real world fade instantly away. For the first time that she can remember, Amy finds herself laughing. Credits: Sassy Hair 2 from DAZ Outlander from DAZ Ziza by Thorneworks (DAZ) San Francisco Hair by Jim Burton (DAZ) Darkling Wear by NetherWorks (PoserPros) Francesca from ZS3D Hair by Kozubra (grey hair texture modified by me) Sarodor Plains And Mountains modelled and textured by me