It looked down at itself for a moment, then it’s other leg split like the first one had. It fell, it’s pelvis now sitting on the deck surrounded b... writhing tentacles that had once been legs. It began to use them to slowly drag itself across the deck. It moved much like an octopus, a rolling mass of boneless arms, gathering and pulling. It let out a ragged scream for help, then launched it’s barbed tongue in Reeve’s direction again. Reeve stepped to the side with a speed that belied his bulk.. Drained of all energy she struggled to turn over but could only turn onto her side. She felt the slime flowing out of her like warm candle liquid wax and wasn’t sure how much more she could take.For several long minutes no one touched her. She heard various conversations and several crude comments about her or her body but they left her alone. Suddenly there were hands on her arm rolling her onto her back. Cringing she expected to have another man shove his bloated stick of pain into her sore. " "You weren't raised in the Empire." "No, but my parents were of the Empire." Kieron shrugged. "What did yourparents do?" "My father is an officer in the City Militia, and my mother is a TempleHealer." Toril stared into the darkness. "My family is of the Nobility, butnot of the Great Houses." "But your parents were a love-match, correct?" "Yes." "It makes a difference." Kieron pulled the hood of his cloak further overhis head. "Those born of arranged marriages are not as emotionally. Sometimes I don't know why I stay friends with you."Friends... That was it. He wished to be Kelly's best friend, but he didn't mean that he wanted to be a girl her age. Then he realized that he could never be her best friend if he was her father, he had to be a girl her age. He didn't know if he liked this. He looked at her and said. " I wish you could remember that I'm really your father."All at once, Kelly's expression changed and she said. " Whoa! Daddy. How did you become Vicki?"He breathed.