For them, any stranger, strange event, strange weather, or strange symptom was further evidence of the aforementioned, and, still evil Wizard and that...foul fiend's fouler fulmination (okay, the last word, while alliterative, is not precise, but foolish stories have foolish storytellers).Despite their warnings and deprecations, undaunted or foolish, our fool advanced foot by foot. "Oh, hurting humans, I am here to help, heal, humor, and hug," Thus, spake the Harlequin, how else but happily?That. " I know I did," I replied. "And I'm really sorry about backing outon you now, Elysia." I ran my hand slowly across the curve of myslender waist. Doing that felt really good. "It's just... I don't...I just can't help you this way." Are you so sure of that, Stanley dear?" she asked again. "I mean, asI listen to you, you don't really sound all that sure to me. Maybeyou should take another, an even longer, look at yourself in themirror."I shook my head slowly. "We've already tried that approach. " No for two reasons, firstly you, and secondly we, are shipwreckedpassengers from a New Zealand registered ship operated by a New Zealandcompany so there is an obligation to save us," he smiled. "Even if wedon't want to be saved, so everything they can do to see to our goodhealth and comfort, they feel they are obliged to do. Building us ashelter from tempests comes well within that sphere even though it isstretching the point a bit. I have already made it clear to the captainthat we are. ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?’ she asked, her eyes searching his for an answer. ‘You don’t like surprises princess? I’m surprised at you’ he said, the tips of his fingers tracing up the side of her arm. He watched as the hairs on her arm stood straight up in reaction to his touch. ‘Is my little slut not happy to see me?’ Again her breath caught with the term he had used, ‘it’s not that, I’m just in shock. I never expected you to be here, and if you were, I thought you would tell me.