“So, how do I look?”He had to recover before answering. She was grown up. He had seen her in shorts and tee’s (or in nothing at all) so many tim...s that he had forgotten that she was a young lady ... when she wanted to be.“Beautiful!” is all he could manage before she jumped into his arms, kissing him and then rubbing her lipstick off of his lips and cheeks with her fingers.He switched his idea of taking her to a pizza parlor, instead decided on a very upscale Italian restaurant. At least now. And then her escort is urging her upwards. When her head breaks the water's surface, she does not gasp for breath, realises she has never felt a lack of air while submerged. Just two creatures now remain, emerging with her into a warm cavern illuminated by walls that emit a sentient phosphorescence. She looks all about and sees how the light source issues from fungi adhering to the cavern walls. The light it produces dims and brightens. It is as if the cavern itself inhales darkness and then. But I was not at peace. I had visitors. A parade of visitors. But only two were notable: my cousins Johann and Rudolf. And both cousins are dead. I lay in bed, musing. I will begin a journal. But not a diary. I will purchase a book to write in when I go out.Let me begin with some history.There are a number of archdukes. ‘Archduke’ denotes a rank within the former Holy Roman Empire; it was below that of Emperor and King and above that of a Grand Duke, Duke and Prince. Most of my (male) cousins. I started smoothing lotion over the red areas, taking care to touch her sore bottom as gently as possible. Soon the damaged parts were covered and I sat back on my heels on the side of the bed."More lotion, please."I looked at Les, she had recovered and was facing me."I've already soaked all the red parts, Les." More. All over my butt. Please."The "Please" sounded almost desperate. I poured out more lotion, this time directly on her backside. I used two hands to make sure both cheeks were.