"Fuck off and let me wake up!" You are awake Brett," Lakam stated, just as my hand found the tub withour toothbrushes in it. I threw it across the roo... at the bird and Lakamlifted off, flapping around the room. "You want proof? Look in thegoddamn mirror you crazy skank."The movement of throwing the jug suddenly kicked up that feeling ofsickness again and I fell forwards onto my knees. "This isn't real," I said, "none of this is real."There was a flutter of wings and I felt Lakam's claws on my. Infact I'm not any kind of..." Easy Nancy. I'm a gentlemen and you know that," said Joe with a softsmile. "Let's go have a night cap in the bar while they get your roomready. I got you your own room and I'm not even on your floor." Oh?" said Nate nodding his head relieved. "Ok. Thank you."Into the bar they went sitting down at a corner table chattingcasually and talking about the show. Nate sat wondering if that reallywas Joe's only intention and then after just two drinks the hotelmanager. No, she would wait for something better.And then, she saw him. A slim, attractive man walked down the alley, his footing sure and lacking the erratic pattern of someone who had overindulged at the bar. His gaze was sharp, and he carried himself in a way that suggested thoughtfulness and even a hint of kindness. He probably wasn't from the city, Calyndi mused – his spirit was far too lively; far too lacking in the deep weariness that was so common in this urban hive of humanity. This man was. .."Jean blanched. "So what do I do?"Lon shrugged. "I wouldn't give him shit about fucking Mama or Louise, for starters. And I think I'd be making friends and influencing people among the guys. Toby is the unofficial top dog right now -- and, well, it won't be good if you screw that up for him. I mean, if you're his woman, don't you want to help him? Be on his side?"Jean pondered this. "I'm screwing him up."Lon shrugged. "I think so. You and he are a lot alike -- generally. But you're all over.