*Hey! This is a private conversationhere! Eavesdropping like that is rude!* A shout would not have carriedhalf as far - or as clearly - as that though... did. Obviously a telepath. But could they help her? Would they help her? She was tired, scared, and- despite the occasional appearance of Micro David - alone in a strangeplace. A place that was altogether too much like a recent half-rememberednightmare. They seemed like her only hope. The fact that they seemed tobe about the same ages as her. “I trust the beverage retains the flavour after being shipped all the way from Dublin.”He handed me the tankard, which I accepted gratefully, and took a mighty swallow.The nutty, bitter, malted brew was elixir after the wine I had consumed, and the tankard was soon empty. Domingo motioned for the girl to fetch another, but I held up my hand.“That was delicious, Don Alvarez, but another would be over egging the pudding.”I did not explain, but left him to figure out the old saw himself.He pointed. Notbecause he liked them but because 'she' would hate them. Much biggerbreasts.Satisfied, Phil entered the configuration into the main program and setthe system going. He could almost hear the entry door hiss open awaitingits occupant, only to shut behind him and not open again.Downstairs he couldn't find Beth anywhere. A friend of hers claimedshe'd gone to get changed some time ago. He mingled and chatted to hisguests who were either gradually departing for home or crossing over tothe Spa. His sponsor paid for all his tuition and accommodation requirements. Japhta was, therefore, able to use the pocket money his parents insisted on giving him on his hobby. Japhta loved photography, and his equipment was impressive. Japhta manipulated naked images of himself with insect forms to create the most fantastic photographs. Naturally, he did not show these to anyone, afraid that he would get perceived as a pervert.As Traeden grew to know Japhta better, he liked him more and more. He had.