Pendor looked at her.Pendor looked at her. *Kitty, I would never hurt you.* But you do, Kitty thought to herself. Just by being so direct, so honest. *Kitty, I have no reason to be dishonest with you. Would it stop hurting if I were? What could I be dishonest with you about?* Kitty looked up, horrified that he had heard her. She shook her head and said plaintively, "No, that would just hurt more." She shook her fists in frustration and said, "Pendor, I don't know if you can understand this. Please try. I... " DAMMIT! she thought. I can't say it. I've got to say it. "I love you." She sighed, grateful to get it over with. "But I can't," immediately followed her words. *Why not?* the dragon asked, his 'voice' sad. Kitty took a step back. "Because I'm a human and you're a dragon and we just don't meet, anywhere. Because both of us are less than a year old, and I've only known you for two days, and I don't know you." *What is there to know, Kitty?* Pendor asked, confusion in his voice. |