The Universe's Mixer

Shepherd Book wasn’t entirely certain what had just happened. When he’d closed his eyes and bowed his head to give thanks for the day, he’d been in his quarters on board Serenity. Granted, it had been a fairly long prayer. Thanks were given for the continued safety of those on board, including River Tam. The brush with the bounty hunter had been just another in the series of adventures that kept cropping up since he’d boarded this boat on Persephone. But they were all still here, and for that, he was truly grateful.

He’d also asked forgiveness for the altercation with bounty hunter. Though it had been brief, to the point of embarrassment, there was still some guilt that it had been a physical conflict. With no chance to speak, to attempt to sway the man from the wrong path he’d been on. And there’d been a bit of forgiveness asked for the fib told to Jayne. He was sure the man knew he’d been telling tall tales, but a lie was a lie in the eyes of the Lord. It was best to confess all.

And though the rest of the crew might not understand why, ( Shepherd Book prayed for the soul of Jubal Early. )

Being a cat had to be an all-time low for Dick. (Alright, that wasn't true, there was the time when he was lying in a largish pool of his own blood and everybody thought he would be dead in minutes.) Being a cat that changed back to a man on the hour had to be even worse. For one thing, he couldn't go outside for very long. The snow was coming down in waves, and being a rather small, warm fuzzy animal one minute and then a rather large naked man the next meant snow was not the ideal environment for Dick.

Then there was the overwhelming urge to claw things. Literally, almost anything. Buffy walked across the room once and suddenly her ankles just had this... incredible appeal. He had to get them. So he sprang, sank his claws in... and she was rather upset with him for a while afterward. It was all very embarrassing.

Most of their research on the topic went nowhere. The watch couldn't have been older than a couple hundred years (considering when pocket watches were in vogue, likely later), but other than that, they had nothing. No idea where it was made, or why, or whether the spell on it had anything to do with the watch at all. Maybe some nut just picked it up and decided to practice making the owner a cat. Thought it was funny, or something.

Dick wished he could throw things. He put it on his list of things to do when he changed. He had a whole minute as a human, and he made a list of things to do once he got there. Throw something. Scratch the exact top of his head. Eat a piece of fruit.

One night, when Dick was at the point of suggesting they just smash the damn watch, the City must have decided this whole thing had run its course. The doorbell started ringing, and the City started dumping the magically inclined at Buffy's doorstep--probably so it wouldn't have to deal with Dick the Cat's irritated yowling.

Raven was not the sort of girl who sat helplessly, waiting for someone else to solve her problems for her. She'd done some digging, but after about a week and a half in the City, she had yet to come across an answer that satisfied her. She’d somehow been transported out of her bed and into a strange place. There were no exits, and no one knew exactly how it had happened. Everyone she’d met had blamed the place itself, or had been without an answer altogether. It was weird. And, while Raven had a lot of experience with weird, ( she just couldn’t get behind the idea of a sentient, all-powerful geographic location. )

Once they had passed through the gateway of the Northern Lights, Lyra and Pan found themselves in a very strange world indeed. The first thing she noticed was the pace. – everything was moving so fast, the cars, the people, even the snow. It was a good thing she was dressed for such weather.

Lyra stuck to the sidewalk, slowly drinking in the strange world. It looked absolutely fascinating! The buildings all looked so modern, nothing at all like the ones back in Oxford. She was simply itching to start exploring!

“Pan,” She frowned, gazing at some of the passers by. “Where are all these people’s daemons?”

“Perhaps this is a world where daemons…don’t exist” Pan mused, shuddering slightly. He couldn’t imagine not being with his companion.

“’Spose we could always ask the compass.”

Trudging through the sidewalk, Lyra sat herself down on the pavement, outside some kind of coffee shop. She probably looked like quite an odd sight indeed; a scrawny little girl dressed for the Antarctic, with a snow fox perched beside her, holding a large golden compass.

Things were getting more complicated. Ever since Robin's return and the escalation of hostilities it had been harder and harder to continue with duties as the Nightwatchman. Father had done little to help, even if he had pride in her for her ability and the noble work she did, he still feared overly much for her. She was still just a woman and her life was being tugged this way and that by men. She was sick to death of the control they lorded over her.

Marian had come to a decision on her father was grudgingly accepting and one she knew would not please neither Robin nor Guy. If her life was to be ruled by men then she would separate herself from them. She would join the Holy Order and take vows, her life would be spent in a nunnery where the only male of consequence would be the Lord.

She was loath to tell the Gisburne and Locksely, fearing they would react similarly, and she had not the strength to face a confrontation from them both.She resolved that it was a necessary matter and that she would, in due course, ride into Nottingham to speak with Guy first. After a good hot bath, something in the simple act that cleansed spirit and soothed the mind. She could do well with some soothing of her overly worried thoughts.

Warm water eased her muscles and felt wonderful on the healing wound Guy unwittingly left on her in their encounter under her guise of the 'watchman. She had managed to play off the injury during her attendance at the fair with Sir Guy, and thankfully it felt as though it was healing well. In fact the bath was refreshing enough to let her drift in a daze of peace. She should wash her hair, and with an impulsive motion dunked herself under the water.
Liquid silence swam around her, she closed her eyes and felt the tiny bubbles of air leak from her nose, striving for the surface, for freedom.

...freedom..

A chill ran through the water and Marian shoved herself upward, her hands and feet met no resistance! A moment of panic hit her, eyes opened wide and she twisted her body round. It was as if the confines of the tub were...well....gone. Light..she saw light above her shimmering through the water. She swam for it, hard strong pulls of her arms taking her upward until she broke the surface with a hard loud gasp.

( She was in some large pool or more rightly a lake. But..how did she get here? )