The two women decided to settle down for the night, after they got together with the rest of the family – sans Mu's father – for a light dinner. Afterward, sighing deeply, she thought of taking the rest of the day, which already neared its end quickly, for some time to process all the new information, as well as going over what other questions arose with it.

So, now a half hour after their meal of fresh baked bread – indicating that Ainsley had listened in on their conversation at some point – fresh made cheese, according to Ainsley, and obviously real meat, unlike usual in City, Mu stayed inside, talking with her mother and Marie sits on the second story terrace once more, amazed that she can do so comfortably with no more than a light jacket. Just incredible...everything.

Looking up into the crystal clear sky, a sight spreads above her that isn't visible from City. Absolutely incredible. The intense lights from the metropolis, however dark it might be in some parts of it at night, drowned out the amazing display of the star filled night sky. Here they were on perfectly visible display, backlit by the enormous, colorful nebula in a close, but ever so distant cosmic neighborhood. A small, full moon illuminating the area just enough so she could navigate the terrace without needing any artificial lighting The last time she's seen this sight is only a distant memory for her.

Under that kind of view, she reviews the days revelations, trying to get her head around the fact that an entirely new species has just announced its existence. Apparently to her alone and only very few others long before. She tries to comprehend the impact this has, not only on her case, but on herself as well. Not willing – yet – to dwell on her personal feelings about all this, she works her professional mind over the problem first.

Well, for my case it's rather simple. While there's little doubt she tells me the truth about her race... shaking her head, she corrects herself ...its existence in the first place...she might still be involved in it all. Everything seems to be pointing at a third party, however, so I have to assume that those people know about her.

Sighing, she considers the possibilities of how a group of humans might know about this new life form, that, according to one of its members, controls as much of society as is necessary to hide themselves. If she says they have eidetic memories and she can remember falling unconscious once, and if I also assume that she's careful and very obviously intelligent enough not to fall for any dumb trick, I suppose I can safely assume they didn't drug her or something like that.

Her research, then. Also unlikely, seeing how she would be equally careful. She leans back in her chair, her head laying on the backrest. Question is, how did she hide the fact that she was researching a genetic defect of hers. She cocks her head to the side. Come to think of it, how she hide her research from that group that approached her? I mean, it must've been quite obvious that the material she was working with wasn't human. Or are we that similar? Something I need to ask.

She is surprised to find herself already getting the reference to Mu's race out, if only in her head, without hesitating over them. So it is already settling in. she sighs. But then, it really helps that she remains looking human. It didn't escape her, though, that the other woman clearly noticed her believing the stories so easily.

When Mu asked during their evening meal "Is it really alright for you, all this? You are still fine with me staying here for now? I have to admit, I was hoping you would accept, or at the very least not immediately dismiss all my claims, but this must be quite difficult, coming all so suddenly."

Marie was just about to answer with a simple dismissal of Mu's worries, but it struck her that the other woman said she was hoping for her to believe her. Smiling wryly, she reconsidered her approach. "Well, yeah, it's really a lot to take in. But, so far, everything connects logically, at least theoretically, since I have no solid proof yet. Except for your...your..."

"My transformation?" Mu smiles warmly

"Yeah, that." Marie's voice trails off, as the images played through her head once more.

Rubbing her temples, trying to massage away the still present uncomfortableness. The question remains, is this a good thing? Her people seem like they settled in with humanity just fine. Or maybe the other way round..? Certainly none of them will be on any watch list of ours for any criminal behavior..until this case, of course. And I have a feeling we can rule out all of them for petty crimes.

A snort escapes her at that thought, her mind suddenly finds a missing connection in the reports of the other woman. What's that defect anyway? Her egg? Is that even possible to be genetic? Never mind that... she shakes her head again, unwilling and unable, really, to think about a connection between the two. The likelihood that the egg is the center point of the groups interest, though, is steadily rising. It really shapes up to be a centerpiece in this whole case. But they wouldn't know about it when they don't know about her species.

Her thoughts are interrupted when the door to the terrace opens audibly. Turning around, Marie watches Ainsley approach her. Under the moon's light, the combination of silvery white hair and, weren't they displaying the gentleness so obviously, almost scary red eyes make for quite a sight on the woman dressed in simple jeans and white sweater. Makes me wonder what her..real hair color is.

Stopping next to Marie, they simply regard each other for a slightly stretched moment, until the woman asks with a motherly gentle voice "How are you feeling?"

Letting out a small laugh, Marie grins wryly. "Lost. Overwhelmed." eliciting a warm smile from Ainsley as well. "It's just..." Lacking the words once more, she shrugs in a helpless gesture.

"I would say you are doing just fine, you know."

"I am beginning to believe it all – seeing Mu transform really helped that – but what I still can't really believe is that you're letting me in on this. I mean not only because of my investigation, which I'm sure you are capable of diverting. I mean trust...trusting me...with all this." she stumbles over the word, only now fully realizing that to be the case. That's right...they're trusting me. And before she can think about it, she blurts out "Why? Why trust me with this?"

And yet again Marie finds herself under the scrutiny of those fascinating eyes, having to concentrate so she doesn't budge under their intensity. "Because you are here." Ainsley finally says, her warm smile making its way back in its place, but her eyes display all the seriousness with which she says it. "Because you believed there is more to the story my daughter presented to you than a disturbed individual's ramblings." Surprising Marie with a cheeky grin that makes her look almost younger than her own daughter – My word...I guess this is what Mu's secretary meant. And it runs in the family.. – Ainsley adds "I won't blame you for thinking it, though." making them both laugh.

When they both calm down a bit, Marie looks at the other woman gratefully "Thank you." and sighs, leaning back into the chair. "It really does help to look at this like a normal case, you know? It makes it a lot easier than the emotional instinct to disbelieve such an outrageous claim. And...yeah, it seems I went by instinct, trying to find out if Mu was telling an elaborate hoax or the truth, before I went ahead of myself and admitted...your daughter..." However much I may believe them, it still feels really weird to think of this woman as Mu's mother...

She doesn't realize that she physically shows her imagined wry grin, until the other woman comments on it like she read her mind "You will get used to it, eventually." seeing how that's the only thing that comment fit. Well, crap. Hiding her inward cringe successfully this time, she turns around to find Ainsley wearing a smile and her eyes filled with only humor. They look at each other for a moment and finally break out into laughter once more, dispelling all remaining unease.

Marie is just about to get up to wish the other woman a good night and head for her room, when Ainsley turns toward the terrace door in a surprised, quick motion. "A call? At this time of day?" she mumbles, slightly concerned.

Marie looks at her surprised even more than the woman herself seems to be "You can hear that from here?" remembering how far away, through several walls, the unit is, relative to their position.

"Oh." Ainsley snaps back to attention from concentrating on listening and smiles at Marie "Yes. A species trait." Seemingly catching more sounds pertaining to the call, she listens closely again. "Mu is taking the call." she murmurs. "Athana? What could she want this late?" slight worry replaces the frown on Ainsley's expression.

"Everything alright?" Marie gets up from her seat and, while a bit confused, can't help herself from feeling a little worried as well. Receiving a call this late is not normal, then?

For a few moments neither of them moves or says anything. It is only when Ainsley takes in a sharp breath and very obvious worry now darkens her features that Marie can guess something rather not good happened. Marie can't hear the thudding of bare feet running along the wooden floor of the main hall beneath her, neither can she see Mu running out the front door. But she can clearly see the figure that suddenly ascends to the sky. A shadow like an enormous bird cast against the mass of clouds, brightly illuminated by the full moon, over City.

Protruding from a decidedly human body, huge wings swing in powerful motion and a thin tail slithers in accompanying motion, quickly propelling the figure up and away from the house. Marie stares in wonder until her mind provides an answer to her unconsciously asked question. Dragons. Realization hits her like a punch, she even loses balance slightly, taking a step back. "Is that..." she whispers, her wide-eyed stare never leaving the the departing figure.

With her voice full of worry, Ainsley turns to Marie and answers "Yes. That is Mu."

The voice drags Marie's mind back to consciousness and, as her stare falls on the woman next to her, a second realization hits her. "So you're...you are..."

Managing a small smile, Ainsley confirms "Quite right."