” Karen fired back. “What are you talking about?” I shouted back at her, “The cologne I bought you dad, why did you tell mum you had bought it...” “I thought you didn’t want anyone knowing that you bought it” I shouted at Karen. Even though we were arguing I was not prepared for the next outburst that Karen gave.“Mum helped me choose that cologne for you dad; she had a chat with me not long after New Year, wanting to know if I knew of any reason why you would have lied. Oh and by the way, mum. ”She directed my attention above and beyond us as I saw something reminding me of the two mirrors at my grandparents home. It was me entwined with Siza, fucking, diminishing copies of us extending on forever and we were all slightly different and interacting with each other, sharing. I could tell because the action was slightly different as we were all individuals and frankly it was simply mind boggling but perfect.“Siza, what is this, what?” “Nothing new. You just never realized until now the. He knew we were doomed, just as I did but he did not show it. Even after the unexpected rescue came he continued to protect those of us no longer able to do it for ourselves.”He looked at me, “For those that do not know. He is also the only man to ever take an emperor by the throat after tossing his guards aside.”Albert grinned as he faced the room, “My father was surprised and never raised his voice to me after that, at least not with him present.”The room laughed and Albert smiled before. "Each Finger wiggled a little bit, wondering what Thumb was planning by this way of diversion from his banishment. Then as if by the power of will from some higher order with a lot of nerve, the whole Palministry was drawn towards an almost barren surface, pock-marked with tiny potholes from which some had soft curly vegetation sprouting. Thumb stretched his way across the supple surface as the other Fingers crept cowering in case of potential hostilities. A small pink bud was discovered.