Piglet poured, as was only proper, though such matters were often lost on Baloo. LadyBug, however, appreciated the gesture; "Please sit up, Baloo, this is, after all, high tea and you are a guest!"
"Yes, I suppose you are right", grumbled Baloo, this being "'official business' and all." He was decidedly uncomfortable in every respect.
"Come, come," said Piglet. "Matters are afoot and grousing about them will not alter the situation. You know that as well as anyone, Baloo."
"I suppose so, but that doesn't mean I have to like it" the bear grumbled again.
"But a more positive disposition would certainly make the situation less disagreeable for the rest of us" observed LadyBug, and with that Baloo drew himself up and heaved a huge sigh. "I suppose you are correct as usual, both of you", he said. "So let's get to it", he said, his tone reflecting a competence and discipline that remained hidden from most, but was the reason he was present in the room.
"Thank you, Baloo. Let us to it then." said Piglet. "LadyBug, what is the present status?"
"The storm is the second largest of record. All Ministries are on full alert. The PM has both Lion and Scarecrow liaising directly on this and she want's to be kept apprised at all times. attending to Dorothy will be doing a press conference on the situation at noon. My James is setting up Comm for them as we speak."
"Baloo?" Baloo was often reminded at times such as these how Piglet's physical stature was no reflection of the power of the mind contained therein, and the voice carried the tone of one long used to such responsibility.
"Most have been evacuated from the epicenter. There were a few that we could not get to as the storm suddenly changed course. They are not comfortable but we have ongoing contact with them. Near the eye there has been a good deal of distention and the resulting identity confusion that invariably produces. I had a chance to speak to the Great Owl an hour ago and he advises that he may have something on what induced he storm by midday and that he has operative on the ground. Things are complicated with the temporal distortion and all, but Owl says his people are top drawer. "
Piglet drew a breath. "The Science and Technology Ministries have shifted all available resources to addressing the nexus of the 'disturbance' that appears to be driving the storm. I understand they have stoats all over it, which of course has its up and down sides, but we need all the help we can get on this at the moment. The sense is that other than current dislocation and confusion that biggest problem will be if things don't sort themselves out. We have religious figures mostly bending this to their benefit, though I spoke to a group today that some insight to offer that might prove helpful, even though ensconced in religious trappings. To put it plain and simple, think of Flatland; the perception of a multidimensional being is limited to the dimensions available to the observer. They us as being multidimensional beings whose perception of this current three dimensional space is primitive and who are as yet still unable to comprehend the multidimensional nature of our 'true' being. The intersection of this multidimensional being with a variety of different three dimensional realities would produce a result very similar to what we are seeing, with individuals in different planes seeming to have similar roles, though dissimilar identities in their own planes. The string theory folk are all over this and there are plans being laid. It appears that while we have a greater tolerance and appreciation for the multiplane universe, there are planes that are still rather rigid, and the feeling is that the current disturbance may be resulting from rigidity in that plane and its populations psychic inability denial of other planes. "
Baloo rolled is eyes. The far right religious crowd would be making trouble and stirring folk up, They certainly didn't need that. "let's keep a tight lid on that", he growled.
"Yes, indeed", said LadyBug.
"Of course", agreed Piglet. At times like this Piglet missed Poo's centeredness. Poo had been near the center of the disturbance, though, and data showed that a funnel may have touched down while the storm was forming. They had not heard from him in a week. He was feared lost, but no one wanted to say so, and of course no one did. "That's that, then" continued Piglet. "we will meet back here in 6 hours. Thank you all."
And that, as Piglet said, was that.
