Excerpt:

"I feel fine." Phenn protested as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He hopped off before either Ellyn or the medir could caution against such a reckless manuver. And neither one was close enough to aid him as he wobbled unsteadily on his feet -- Ellyn being on the opposite side of the bed nearest Hanna and Quafir being closer to the infirmary doors.

Out of habit, Sir Nicholas reached for the young man, who also reached out for the proferred arm. Quafir and Ellyn both gaped in amazement as Phenn's hand seemed to clamp on something in midair...and as it did so a man's form began to waver into view - appearing first as a misty outline, then more solid as time passed.

"Oh my God!" Ellyn breathed, clapping her hand to her mouth in surprise.

"By the One most holy," Quafir's voice was both stunned and amazed.

"What?" Nicholas and Phenn said in unison.

"Nick!" Ellyn was trying to keep her voice down, but even so it came out as a rather high pitched squeak. "Nick! We can see you."

"What?!? You can-" The man sputtered, looking down at himself, then over towards where the mag-gi stood, then back down at himself again. Quafir wondered at the man's manner of dress - it was like none he had ever seen. Nicholas wore form fitting tan breeches and knee high black boots polished to a mirror like gleam. They matched the snug charcoal colored vest and contrasted sharply to his billowy white shirt. On his hip he wore a long, thin blade that looked too willowy to be of any real use in a fight.

"We can see you." the medir confirmed, taking a step towards the pair. "And hear you as well. You did not appear until Phennuel took hold of your arm."

His statement reminded the spirit of that very fact. "You can touch me! How on earth can you touch me!"

"I don't know." Phenn protested, automatically releasing the ghost's arm and taking a step backwards, bumping into the bed. He caught at it before he could lose his balance still further and managed to stay aright. The instant he let go of Nicholas' arm, Ellyn and Quafir saw the spirit fade out of sight - like morning mist disolving in the heat of the day.

"You're not supposed to be able to touch me!" Nicholas said excitedly. Quafir could still hear his voice for a few moments after Phenn released his grip on the spirit. It started off strong, then faded as if it was coming from a great distance away. "Ellyn.. how was he able to touch-"