I remembered the primary culprit was suggested to be the terrible war between the States for the salvation of the Union and the expenditure of vast na...ional treasures in the conduct of a war of brother against brother.Of course, rightly so, the issue of slavery was uppermost on everyone’s mind back then, when it was the only issue being discussed in the media of the times. I personally questioned that fact during the early years of my Catholic school education, but was told, in no uncertain. Then Janice opened the door and asked me to join them. I took a deep breath and walked to the raised plinth at the back of the studio. The five easels were arranged in a semicircle. All the ladies politely said hello as Janice introduced me. I took off my robe and sat on the stall feeling rather self concious. There was a little discussion as the group decided how to pose me and then Janice asked me to be as still as I could. I was face on to the ladies with one foot on the floor and the other. ”“Umm, are you sure?” I asked seriously. “That might not be a good idea.”“Why not?”“Well, what if Serenity comes home early? She normally only sends me a message if she’s going to be more than an hour late.”Gabriella was pensive. “Well, you can hear her coming, right?” She continued when I nodded. “The worst case is you might have to go hide in the bathroom for a few minutes. See? Problem solved!”I chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Alright, but let’s keep my mind on something else until we get. “For you, Lisha-chan.”“I’m not used to you being all formal with me, Chassari.” Lishaka said, awkwardly handling the box. It was eight-sided and etched with the local writing, held shut by an intricate metal clasp. She opened the box. On red padding sat an oval glass lens, faceted like an insect’s eye and adorned with some kind of armature ending in a leather loop. Carefully, she plucked the lens from its bed and held it up to her eyes.Someone rapped against the sliding door leading deeper into.