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Liam and Muireann

Liam looked around. He was in his soul, yet again, with one difference. He was an adult Rottweiler, he guessed around 30. He could tell what he looked like and appraised his appearance. Damn, I'm hot, he concluded, then chastised himself for vanity. But it was true, he was quite attractive.

Another thing he noted was that his most recently accessed lives were now integrated; it took almost no effort to bring forth the knowledge and skills each one held. As he considered this, he felt himself change. He was now Lowell, a little after the midpoint in his life.

He felt two other people, one strongly, and the other only enough to know that she was there.

"Nathanial." The Akita stepped into view, looking sheepish. Lowell's muzzle quirked. "So, why are we are we here this time, my friend?"

"Um, well, there's someone who wants to see you." Nathanial looked back out of sight and gestured at Lowell with his paw. With that, the other person stepped into view. She was as beautiful as he remembered, and he could tell that it now went deeper than her fur. His jaw dropped for a moment, then he got control of it.

"Muiry?"

"Hello, Daddy," she said. She looked him in the eye and continued, "I owe you more apologies than I can count..."

* * *

Liam came back to himself suddenly. He blinked at regular intervals, but otherwise might have been made of stone. What had just happened? That both had and had not been a meditation. He ran through the events once more quickly, unfolded himself, set up his painting supplies, and began working.

When he was finished, he critiqued the result. Not only did it say exactly what it should, he thought it was his best yet. He bundled it up, and set off for where it needed to go.

Once in private with Ciaran, Liam explained himself. "It was a most unusual experience, even for me. I believe I actually spoke with Muireann. Nathanial helped somehow. On the one paw, it was just a dream, but on the other, I have the distinct feeling that it actually did occur. Anyway, here is the most concrete result.

He unwrapped the picture and Ciaran went completely still. The image was of Muireann, but one could tell that she was now beautiful inside, too. She looked out of the canvas with genuine kindness. She appeared truly happy and...

"This painting is called 'Forgiveness.'" Liam said. "I can draw no other conclusion than that I actually met Muireann while my body remained in this Plane. I want you to have this, as I can recall it perfectly." Liam and Ciaran looked at the painting again, where Muireann radiated all the good qualities she had lacked in life. "She loves you, Ciaran. And me. She..." Liam had to pause a moment, and even then, he continued only with difficulty. "She...for...gives us."

Liam and Ciaran collapsed into each other's arms, sobbing quietly, and stayed that way for quite awhile.