<strong>Mary's Dream</strong><br/><br/>"I'm not really Joan of Arc."  The woman sounded apologetic, accepting the rations to nibble upon while she chatted.  She still shivered, however, accepting the water and setting down her clothes to bundle up tightly once the treatment was finished.  "I'm sorry if this is confusing; I only have so much talent for this."<br/><br/>At the mention of being ready, her eyes shifted to sympathetic but stern focus.  "None of you are, not really.  Some more than others, and we try to do what we can to help the ones who are closer to ready."  Her lips moved for some time, giving a further explanation of matters, but no sound seemed to come out.  She soon frowned.  "I'm sorry; I'm not very good at this."