[Inkscape-user] Paths joining two objects and three paths to one node.

Hello,

I have two questions:

1) Is there a way to join two objects using a path so that when I move the objects, the path's endpoints get dragged around? I frequently draw planar graphs and this ability would be useful.

2) I suspect there's some vector-graphics theory reason why it's impossible, but is it possible to have three paths emerge from one node? Is there an aesthetic way to fake it if there isn't?

Thanks for any hints/answers/tutorials anybody can provide, John B.