I'd have to put blades on my shopping list, apparently I'd run out without noticing.While I was dressing I experimentally ran a quick scale. And did i... again just for the sheer joy of it; there was my brand new voice still, as bright and clear and strong as last night, echoing through the cabin. I'd be a Scarpia people wouldn't soon forget, I'd be magnificent, I'd make the world sit up and take notice.With all those happy thoughts cascading through my head I was finally ready. I fumbled through. Attempting to punctuate that idea and bring some levity to the mix, Jess laughed a bit too loud and said, "Not like he's the type who you'd sleep with on the first date!" God, I need to go to the washroom!" Maggie suddenly blurted. She stripped off the choker and tossed it on the table before standing up."Washroom? Wait. Now? Mags…" Jess looked bewildered as she haplessly watched her friend plough through the crowded lounge towards the washrooms. She slumped her shoulders, hunched over the. Charlie, as he always did, left her after a few moments to find his male story telling buddies. Tonight, however, Laura was never alone for more than a few seconds as man after man approached her for a word and a better glimpse at the voluptuous face and body. Even Helen Van Stilling, lovely in her own right, gave Laura a wide berth, perhaps not wishing for any comparisons to be made. Laura thought back to Jullian's observation with an inner smile as, through the course of the evening, no less. She only lived an hour drive away and he thought of offering to meet up with her to have a cup of coffee and chat but her emotional wall was even higher now and he felt himself being pushed away too. He was further saddened when she withdrew further from chatting and logged on less and less. Chapter Two If anything though, Cynthia was a fighter and slowly she started to come around. It still hurt deeply but she got better at burying it. Like most women she did this by fortifying her emotional.