[Author's Note: This takes place sometime during season 7. This isn't really spoiler heavy, and meant to stand on its own.]
Dream Giver
(Part 1)
The preliminary survey had barely touched on the woodland they now encountered. Having earlier watched it through a tiny view screen with muted colors showing through a grainy picture, the party of four now stood in awe as a noonday sun streamed down through the leaves of large, lush trees and warmed them.
"I could get used to this," the leader quipped as he swiped his cap off and scratched his gray-haired head for a moment before adjusting his cap back on his head.
"It is beautiful, Sir," the blonde-haired woman smiled with a warmth given to someone that was a good friend, and not just a superior.
"Indeed," the large, black man nodded, the golden symbol on his forehead gleaming softly in the rays of the sun.
The brown-haired, bespectacled man nodded as he made his way down the steps of the landing. "It appears as if this is a place of worship, or some sort of shrine." He pointed to several containers filled with exotic flowers placed carefully around the area. His forehead crinkled as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "But I don't see any writings, so I—"
"Hey!" the leader called out playfully. "We'll have time for that later, first we need to—"
"Sir?" the woman called out calmly, but with a hint of chiding as her gaze landed on two figures peeking out from behind a tree.
The rest of the group followed the woman's gaze.
"Oh, hey," the leader blinked. "Hey there!" he called out cheerfully. "Come on out."
"We will not harm you," the large man said stoically.
The woman grimaced as she looked at the large man and merely shook her head with a soft laugh.
The figures came out from the shadows and walked toward the group slowly. They were young women, both with pale hair, light eyes and slender figures. Though their features were distinct, one might have thought them to be sisters. Their simple dresses of a silken material, floated behind them as they came close. Warm smiles touched their faces as they were now near enough for greeting.
The taller one spoke. "We thought it possible, but no one has ever come through the Chapa'ai before."
The brown-haired man jumped a little and made his way to right in front of the women. "Chapa'ai. You know this word?"
The young women gasped softly as their eyes went hugely round. Huge smiles then began to spread across their faces. They crossed their hands lightly over their lips and gave a bow of their heads.
The shorter one spoke, with an uneven, young voice as she looked back up at the brown-haired man. "We never thought we would ever get to see you! There are many that believe you do not exist." She almost seemed to giggle, and the taller one put a hand on her shoulder.
"We, however, are not of that belief," the taller and seemingly older one said calmly, with a hint of delight, as she pointed to the flowers. "We are of a group that believed one day we would see you."
The brown-haired man blinked as his eyes narrowed. "You've been expecting me?"
The older woman merely smiled and then turned to the younger one. "You must tell the others! I will lead them shortly."
The younger woman nodded, gave another strange bow and took off running.
The rest of the party looked on in disbelief.
"Wait a second!" the leader called out. "You want us to go with you?"
The young woman turned to him and smiled softly. "Is that not the reason you came?"
The leader's mouth opened as if he was about to speak, then he shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, sure, okay, but first I'd like to know what's going on?"
"I do not understand."
The leader narrowed the gap between himself and the brown-haired man. "Why do you think you've been expecting him?"
The young woman smiled beatifically. "Because he is the Dream Giver."
[Additional Author's Comments: I specifically didn't add any names to this piece, to exercise characterization, and working with more than one character's voice. I have another part already written, just need to tweak it -- and that one DOES have names.]