" "And yours?" she asked Wilshas." "And yours?" she asked Wilshas. "Oh, the usual," he said. "Working out, swimming in the pond, making arrangements with my crew for the big compete next week." "The usual," she said, smiling. I liked Wilshas, but I had yet to see what it was P'nyssa saw in the professional surfer. "Shall we eat?" I said, walking back into the kitchen and checking the oven. "Can I shower first?" Aaden complained, sniffing himself delicately I looked under the lid and said, "You've got six minutes, tops." "Done," he said. When he had returned we sat down and ate; conversation was light and casual. Aaden rose to clear off the table by first putting a tray on his upright tail, then placing glasses on it. "How are you doing that?" I asked. "Doing what?" he asked innocently. "Balancing that tray on your tail. Your tail doesn't have that kind of strength. At least, I don't think it does." "I'll show you when I get back." He walked into the kitchen, holding his tail a little to the right, put the dishware in the sink and came back with the empty tray. "Reach up to the tip of my tail," he said. I did, and felt something about a cent thick coiled under his fur. "Feel that?" he asked. "Yeah?" "Controlled pressor module. It makes a cute effect in restaurants and bars. I saw someone using one in Rhysh and just had to know the trick." "Cute," I agreed, shaking my head slowly. What some people will do just for the appearance. Still, it made a good visual. After the table had been cleared off, the five of us sat around, looking at one another, waiting for the cue. P'nyssa finally broke the silence by saying, "If you three will excuse me, I'm taking this handsome young melTindal into the bedroom and making love to him until his eyes drop out." "Sounds wonderful," Wilshas said, sarcastic but smiling. P'nyssa laughed and held out her mitt. "Come on, gorgeous." He rose and followed her down into the bedroom. I watched them go with a mixture of envy and hope; I love P'nyssa too much not to be at least a little bit jealous, and a little bit worried, and I also wanted very much for them to succeed. |