"Would it not be possible for this to be both things, perhaps? For it to be both dear Anna's nightmare and the Fade leaking through?" Poke, goes the tip of her knife. It makes a soft impact against the little creature, the physicality of which is enough to finally unsettle her enough that she lets the napkin back down over the little mummy and sets the knife far to the side so she might not forget and and reuse it for spreading more jam.

"I mean in the sense that there are some Rifters who still use their abilities and experience the world somewhat like they did in-- well, wherever they came from. Like certain people" --(not naming names)-- "Do magic nothing like the mages here do magic. And so on."

She takes a contemplative bite of her toast, thoughtfully regarding the shrouded shape between them. "Though, I suppose it all depends on what we believe we are. If we passed through the Fade to this place or if we're products of it in some way. Have you heard that theory? I read it in a paper."

All of which does nothing at all the answer the question of Why is any of this happening here and now?