I realised that Mel was staring intently at her hot chocolate as she sipped it.“What’s wrong?” I asked.Mel looked up at me with those bewitching...blue-grey eyes.“I’m scared,” she admitted. “I saw your thingy this morning and it’s huge. I’m afraid it’s going to hurt when you shove that up my bum.”“That’s a very valid concern,” I admitted. “It will hurt if done wrongly, but I’ve done it plenty of times and I know what measures to take to minimise the risk.”Mel still looked worried.“Inside your bum. For two hours, she and Paul ate and talked. She found herself admiring Paul for his easy wit, grace and intelligence. Never before had anyone captivated her interest the way he did. She loved looking at him when he talked and seeing the animation on his face. It was obvious that Paul was comfortable with himself. Joanna hoped that she wouldn't wake up and find that everything had been a dream.Paul told her of how his family had arrived in New Orleans as mercenaries during the Battle of New. "'S alright. I'm for dealin' wit' it. Been doin' it fer some time now."She turned to Terran after offering a warm smile and another pat on Celes shoulder. "For you I sense great renown and the praise of your peers. I also sense danger in the source of your renown — the possibility that it might be turned to evil."Terran looked stunned at the revelation. "I shall remember your words."She nodded and went on to Venaru. Her eyes opened wide and she said, "I see an end to your life's quest. I cannot. ..and then, it happened Lucy got out of the shower and whilebrushing thosenear perfect teethshe was proud of thema perfectionist as was her mothershe then, looked down and noticed ita tattoofuck meshe thought she began to panic ape shit nearlywhat, the fuck elsedid she get up to last night she simply could notremember as though a certain darkness clouded her memory nothing Lucy could remember nothing she collected herself no big deal she thoughtthe tattoo itself was strangefor sureno doubtit.