"She feared those words; but like her husband's death, with such a young offering, they had been the most likely so she was prepared for them. It was ...till a long time before she could speak. "Is it true? He will be rewarded." There have not been many like what your son will become. Not many at all," the hermit said. "A daimyo rewards. The Emperor rewards. The Dark Creation..."The hermit shook his head and sighed "Enough! The offering is accepted."She made herself watch as he picked up the. Somehow my growth pissed them off in the most extreme way.School had become hell, but I still had home to look forward to. Nice and quiet, where I could unwind. For most of my life, I had come home to do my homework right away. Nowadays, though, I found myself settling into the chair in the living room or flopping down on the couch. I had entered a period of depression. I thought having breasts would have fixed everything for me.What a silly thought. I dismissed it as I walked in the door to my. Street food smells waft deliciously through the cool night air. My wife, almost skipping, pulls me along like an excited girl released from her parents' bonds.A dark side street woos us with party sounds and more crowds of stylish young people. The perfume of a passing goddess adds energy to my steps. A velvet rope holds back a crowd of anxious patrons, but not my wife. She is not familiar with waiting to enter a club, and tonight is no exception. I notice a few irritated expressions, but also. Theodore,meanwhile, was giving away what he had in each hand with his facialexpressions, which Julian found he could read extraordinary well, almostdown to the suit of each card. More importantly, Julian discovered hecould make Theodore fold just by suggesting it.It was time to up the ante, he thought."Those shoes are pretty, Alison," he said of the heels she was wearing. "But they must feel uncomfortable. Why don't you take them off and I'llrub your feet." Okay," Alison said, giggling.