Block. Warn. Hurt. Injure. Kill.”“You had an incident in Wisconsin where you used your skills. Have you thought about anything you might have done...differently?”“I have, but in the end, I was defending the honor of my best friend and I was attacked. I defended myself and I would do the same thing again.”“Honor is important. But so is discipline. You know the moves. You have the requisite form. You have not acquired the proper mindset, though. Learning every technique to perfection will not get. "He won't hurt anything."Sure enough, the moment we settled into the marshmallow-cushioned porch swing, Snuggles reclined in the lush grass, snorted contentedly and let his chocolate-drop eyes droop, no doubt dreaming of his new best friend, Maria.When Ray took me in his arms and leaned in to consummate the hours of pent-up flirtation, I cast a nervous glance at the picture window not far enough behind us. Miles' 'Sketches Of Spain' seeped through the pane and the faint burble of our parents'. The tiny mouth opened to emit a pathetic little mewl and Julie’s heart broke in two. “Aaww! Yer poor little thing!” Julie reached down into the basket to pluck up the tiny creature and clutch it to her breast. “Fancy leavin’ yer all on yer own down ‘ere! Yer poor little precious!” She stroked a finger across the tiny head and was rewarded with another little mewl. “Yer must be cold an’ ungry as well yer poor mite! Poor thing!” Julie cradled the little kitten in her arms compassionately, tears. " Thank you," Allegra said. Her voice was quiet and had a note of timidity that had Topher and Estrella exchanging a look. They'd been having a normal, relaxed conversation up until that point.Topher put his arm around Allegra, addressing Reggie. "We haven't ordered anything but drinks yet. Did you have any trouble finding the place?"Reggie shook his head. "The grid's pretty straight up here and the subways were all running on time. It's nice when everything works." Where were you coming from?".