If that’s what you want, of course.”“I can’t even imagine how this is going to work,” he chuckled nervously, “so take the lead.”“You�...re willingly handing the reins to me?” she asked, her sharp teeth flashing as she smiled down at him. “I never thought I’d hear you ask that of me so ... plainly...”She opened her jaws as Iden watched, her long, winding tongue sliding past her lips. It was easily as long as the span of his arm, flat and wide, with a tapered tip. The pink flesh glistened with a. Her eyes were closed and her head rested on the edge of the bathtub. I walked silently towards her. She opened her eyes and looked at me. I was scared first. But there was no shocking reaction on her face.She looked at me as if I have entered her kitchen when she was cutting vegetables. She knew or at least she hoped that I would come inside the bathroom. She asked me, “What are you doing here?” Her voice was so calm.“Thought it would be a good idea to come in to help you relax.” She laughed. ”Lightning strikes nearby, briefly illuminating the pitiful excuse of a man huddled in the corner.“Say... about that... care to he...”You ignore him, grabbing the iron handle and pulling the tavern door open. You enter, leaving the useless beggar to the storm.The wind whips around you as you enter, disturbing the occupants inside. The room quiets, and they all look to you, curious who interrupted their drinking. You ignore their annoyed gazes and find an unoccupied bench, and sit down.The room. But, it was his brother’s name, after all.“I’ll tell you what,” Cal offered, “you tell me who was coming out of your cabin this morning and I’ll do my best to call you ‘Junior’.”Junior took a deep breath and looked away.“The reason I offered to finish up is so you’d get outta here before you remembered to ask me that question.”“Nice try,” Cal answered back. “You don’t have to tell me if you’re ashamed of who it was, but it’ll get around sooner or later.”“No, I’m not ashamed—exactly.”“Whatever.