"Uh, I mean..." Hawk corrected himself, < Yes. I am sorry. >

Suyan stared, her face etched in awful relief. Then, slowly, she shook her head, and her features began to soften again.

< No, > she said, and started to look around. < This must be a dream. I've had dreams just like this. >

Hawk said nothing, the expression on his many faces inscrutable, shifting between looking at Suyan and at the vague shape at his shoulder. Suyan started to pace again, lowering her head to search the gutter.

< I have them all the time, > she went on. < I'm looking for something...and if I can find it, I'll wake up. >

< ...It is not a dream, > Hawk said.

< Yes it is, > Suyan insisted. < Sometimes I even know it's a dream while I'm in it, like this. >

She paused at looked at Hawk, at the mass of moving shapes, which seemed to have withdrawn on itself away from her some. For a beat he hesitated, seeming to struggle with what to say.

< I-I'm sorry, > he managed. < I don't know how to say else. It's true, you are dead. >