Springing lightly to his feet, Oscar looked around for Tapie. Much to his surprise, the woman was on her hands and knees, panting as though on the verge of exhaustion. “Are you okay, Tapie? You look terrible. What happened?” “That was much harder than I anticipated.” she gasped between breaths. “It has taken me the best part of the night to succeed.” she exhaled forcefully, before sweeping back her hair and looking to Oscar, who could only remember blurry fragments of a dream. “You dipped in and out in fleeting moments. When I finally reached you – well- it wasn't easy. We were very close to the edge: if you hadn’t gained a full purchase on this world in time, who knows what would have happened. But then I suppose you wouldn’t have been in a fit state to know.” Tapie drew a long breath and stood up. Flattening the leaves that made up her tunic and running her fingers through her hair, she composed herself. “Anyhow, enough of the perils. It worked, and you are here.”
