"They explained that you do unclean work and can't touch people or marry outside of caste- that people find you disgusting."

"Yes."

"It all sounded... suspicious to say the least."

"I don't think I know what you mean sir."

"Well, they did explain that they feel a very aversive reaction to it and you are a different species. But unless there was a serious translation problem, it didn't sounded it is based on objective facts that I should adopt for myself. It sounded like psychological or cultural. And even if I adhere to the premise that is true and garbage people prefers their kids to have the same jobs, I can't really buy the notion that... an 'idle whim' is justification to kill a red. Killing storms and thunders! I am completely at loss to describe the thing with... not revealing preferences even when asked to."

"It's better not to upset people, sir."

"I am not criticizing you. It's evidently a survival strategy that you've been cornered into employing. It says horrible things about your culture."

She is silent.

"Silence is not any less up-" Felix cuts himself, that was going sound too much like a order. "Sorry, I am not going to hurt you for upsetting me."

Nod.

"I am not going to hurt if you don't want to tell me things either," Felix adds.

Nod.

"I don't... expect that you're going to suddenly believe in your kidnapper, but it is true." Sigh. "Do you want to go home now?"

"Yes please."

He stands up and offers her a hand.

She does not take it but she follows.

"I still need to know what your son's dimension can do. I can only assume that would go over better if I am not there, right?"

"How would he know that?"

"It is... vaguely like knowing how many limbs you have and how they can move. It might not be obvious at first, but the information is sort of there."

"He's not even one yet."

"I know. I don't have a better idea."

"If it's dangerous what could happen?"

"That is extremely hard to guess," Felix says helplessly, "I visited the place, so if there is an ambient effect it isn't obvious... the place was filled with birds that didn't look dangerous, but for all I know they might have a life-cycle that turns them into monsters. I am sorry, I know it isn't reassuring, but the possibilities are too vast."

"They'll be really angry with you if you said it was contained and it wasn't."

"Yeah... the problem is... While it is possible to imprison the dreamshaper, preventing one from causing some sort of havoc when they want to is much harder. I already knew this when I came to you."