Naveed took the mug and downed the whole thing. He knew that because of his size the tea may not take effect as quickly or as strongly. He figured it would be the same for Luke and Sam though he wasn't sure about miss kitty. She sure looked like she had more muscle mass than Raina... but the drug would work differently on someone who's DNA was so close to an animal. He shrugged to himself as if the others had posed the question and it hadn't been an inner monolog.

He noticed instantly that the colours around him became vivid. Even the snow seemed to have traces of pink and yellow dance across it- as if a sun were setting. He sat a few moments. He became increasingly aware of his own breathing and heart beat, all the sounds around him became louder than before but there was something very peaceful about it. He felt relaxed. He felt calm. He felt... light.

He felt very light. Too light. Had his body lost all feeling?

Suddenly he was looking down on the group. Oh great, there he was- passed out falling backwards in the snow. Great. A lucid dream. That's what this was. Some Vision Quest. He was sure he could spot drool coming out of his mouth. Embarrassing.

"Ok. That's enough of watching this. Vision Quest, Lucid dream... does it really matter?" he sighed and pushed with his feet through the air as if he was swimming.

Naveed often had dreams about flying. But in his dreams flying was an awful lot like swimming just heavier and a little more work. Like the gravity underwater was heavier than normal. He'd swim through the sky by working his arms and legs really hard to get to a height... then let himself drift and fall a bit before climbing back up.

he had to admit, this was pretty vivid. If he didn't know any better his mutation was levitation! But he liked it and made the most of it. He backstroked away from the group turning his eyes to the sky. It was really bright. So bright he knew he shouldn't be looking at it- he'd burn his eyes. But they didn't hurt so he continued watching the sun.

The sun. The giant fire ball in the sky. It was very beautiful and as Naveed continued to watch it he could see sun spots. They took different shapes, moved, got dark and light again. One seemed to be getting bigger but Naveed was so relaxed it didnt bother him as it grew and grew finally breaking free of the sun. It was moving through the sky toward Naveed at a steady pace. Naveed continued to float in the air on his back watching curiously.

As the shape got closer Naveed could see that it was a black bear running through the sky toward him.

The idea of a bear running toward him didn't scare him at all. In fact, it made everything make an awful lot of sense. Naveed finally clicked into the fact that he was on a vision quest. That's right. And he knew exactly what was running towards him unlike the others. Naveed waited for his spirit animal.

The bear soon came to a slow trot and stood on it's hind legs. It let out a massive roar. Naveed didn't flinch.

"Hey Dad" he said with a nod. The bear look disappointing and sat back down on it's haunches.

"Ah you're no fun." said the bear in a deep baritone voice.

"It's been a while Dad- mom know you're still running around doing vision quests? Some how I think she wouldn't approve." commented Naveed as he laid back lazily as if in an easy chair suspended in the sky. He chewed on an invisible piece of straw even.

"Your mother was reincarnated for her own purposes. We don't cross paths often. But once we've both done our duties we'll both fully move to the afterlife. With lugs like you around it's no wonder it's been taking so long. the bear almost seemed to grin.

"I decided to do this thing for Raina, for support. But I don't know exactly what I'm supposed to get from this vision quest. I did a vision quest before Dad." explained Naveed still in a rather relaxed tone.

"You know why you're here son. You killed someone. Anytime you have a vision quest that's at least going to be part of it."

Naveed sighed like an annoyed child. "But I've already lived through all his memories- we did that last time. I still don't know what else I have to do."

"You have to let it go Naveed. You have to learn to let it go. You carry it around like a ball and chain. You have a mutation and you made a mistake. With one like yours who could blame you."

Naveed went silent for a moment. "I wish you were this supportive in life." the bear looked down.

"I'm divine now. When you become divine the creator grants you just a little of his omnipotent brain. You start to know things and understand. I'm sorry I couldn't achieve it when I was alive."

Naveed sat up and gave his old man/bear a slap on the back "Don't worry about it. Man, I wish we had a couple of beers."

"with a muzzle like this I'm not sure I could drink one." grinned the bear.

"Well then." said Naveed with a stretch "What's on the agenda for today?" he asked eyeing his father in the bear form.

"Well, I really think that's up to you." Answered the bear in that wise old bear kinda voice.

"What's that supposed to mean?" groaned Naveed getting annoyed. "I'm just feeling kinda sleepy. I wanna get back to Raina- you woulda been so mad with the way the elders were treating her dad."

"Well, you're only here as long as you want to be. I only have one thing to tell you and the rest is up to you."

Naveed looked up at his father curiously. "And what's that Dad?"

"... I love you son. Your mother too. And we're always here watching out for you.. we try to help you keep your power in check but ultimately you're the only one who can do that."

With that the great bear literally dissappeared and Naveed was left floating in the sky with his thoughts. "I love you too Dad" he thought out loud

Then, he woke up.