Between the meal, the hike home, and the hour of the afternoon, I was starting to drown.My sister was reading a magazine, but instead of the usual cri...p snap of turned pages every minute or so, it was like her eyes had sunk into the inner margin.I yawned loudly and stretched. "Might be naptime for this big baby." Ready to nap together?" she nodded."You bet, if I can manage to escape the clutches of this sofa." We groaned and snorted laughs as we ungainfully got up from the goddamn furniture.In. He had grabbed her by the throat and thrown her on the bed. She had taken it in stride, smiling and telling him she offered rough play as well. The old him would have told her she was mistaken, that was not what he wanted, but it was a lie. He took her on the bed, without taking off her clothes. When he woke up, she was gone. He would find and apologize to her.Poverty and suffering were everywhere as he walked the streets instead of riding past them in a wagon. Beggars sat on the ground with. One more halting step and Ihad turned the corner and there he was! I was at first in awe as my mouthdropped open at the sight of the god I had indeed bore of my womb. Hestood there as well muscled and strapping as I knew he was from seeing himaround the house. But what my eyes were trying to absorb took my breathaway. I was afraid, excited, timid, torn. It was gleaming as if it was anoiled tool. I could see veins as thick as pencils running like a crazednetwork along the strutted cartilage. The. ”“So it was self-defence?”“Proactive self-defence, yes. The Guardians investigated and I was cleared of all charges, something the media failed to mention ... again.”“What is your involvement in the lower levels?”“I work in a medical facility as a janitor.”“A janitor?” she asked surprised.“Only other job I’m qualified for. I don’t have the benefit of an Imperial education.”“But according to the Imperial Audit stats you are rich enough never to work again.”“Where’s the fun in that? Yes, I’m well.