*temp aposi ""
*temp ntognow ""
*temp approach ""
*temp nkisswhat ""
*temp fsat ""
*temp fpos ""

[b]CHAPTER EIGHT - ALL RESEARCH AS WELL AS M'S AND F'S COMBAT SCENES[/b]

[i][b]In the Detective's Bedroom, Early Morning[/i][/b]

With the threat of not only the Trappers but the Anunnaki hanging around, it's decided Unit Bravo and I should stick together for the next few days.

Whether that's for them to protect me from Trappers, or me to protect them from the Anunnaki…I'm not entirely sure.

*if ((humanchoice = "tinatruth")or(humanchoice = "tinafail"))
	*goto chap8_tinaopening
*elseif ((humanchoice = "verdatruth")or(humanchoice = "verdafail"))
	*goto chap8_verdaopening
*else
	*goto chap8_tvopening
	
*label chap8_tvopening
As I shut the door to my room, I drag my phone out of my pocket and search through my contacts, pressing Tina's name when it scrolls up.

Being away from the station is fine for a couple of hours, but a few days might cause suspicion. Hopefully Tina can provide some solid cover.

It only takes a few rings before it connects.

"Hey, what's up?" she asks, the slight echo to her voice letting me know she's at the station.

*choice
	#"I have a bit of a teensy favour to ask…."
		"I may have a bit of a teensy favour to ask you…," I elongate the words for emphasis, "please?"
		
		"Depends on what it is," she replies, the squeak of her chair piercing down the line as she shifts. "What do you need?"
		
		I pause in the hallway and lean against the wall, wondering how best to word my request. "I'm following a lead with Unit Bravo for the kidnapping case. Do you think you could cover for me at the station for a while?"
		
		*if ((romance = "none")or(romance = ""))
			"Yeah, of course I will," she says without hesitation. "Stay safe."
			
			[i]I'll try[/i].
			
			I end the call and continue on down the maze of hallways.
			*goto chap8_decide
		*else
			"Following a lead?" she chuckles. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"
			
			*if ((charming <= 35)or(friendly <= 35))
				I roll my eyes. "Seriously?"
				
				"Oh, come on. You practically laid that one out for me. Or maybe you're more interested in laying—"
				
				"Will you cover for me?" I splutter before she can finish.
				
				"Yeah, of course I will," she says after another smattering of laughter. "Stay safe."
				
				[i]I'll try[/i].
				
				I end the call and continue on down the maze of hallways.
				*goto chap8_decide
			*elseif ((bold >= 75)or(sarcastic >= 75))
				"With all of them? That would take a hell of a lot of stamina," I reply with a deep laugh of my own.
				
				"I'd be willing to try."
				
				I shake my head, even if my smile remains. "So, will you do it?"
				
				"Yeah, of course I will," she says after another smattering of laughter. "Stay safe."
				
				[i]I'll try[/i].
				
				I end the call and continue on down the maze of hallways.
				*goto chap8_decide
			*else
				"Really?" I ask, arching a brow even if she can't see it.
				
				"I couldn't resist," she replies after another smattering of laughter. "I'll make sure no one knows you're gone, don't worry. Stay safe."
				
				[i]I'll try[/i].
				
				I end the call and continue on down the maze of hallways.
				*goto chap8_decide
	#"Wow, you're there early. Were you bored?"
		"Wow." I momentarily pulling the phone away from my ear to check the clock before replacing it. "You're there early. Were you bored at home?"
		
		"There's nothing to do living alone, okay? So please tell me you have something to brighten the doldrum of my day." She adds a dramatic sigh to her equally dramatic question.
		
		I chuckle and lean against the wall. "Possibly. I'm following a lead with Unit Bravo, and I was hoping you could cover for me while I'm gone?"
		
		"Not exactly thrilling work. But yeah, I can probably manage that. Stay safe."
		
		[i]I'll try[/i].
			
		I end the call and continue on down the maze of hallways.
		*goto chap8_decide
	#"Uh, nothing much, but I do really need you."
		"Uh, nothing much," I begin before pausing my steps so I can lean against the wall. "But I do really need you."
		
		There's a slight pause before she replies, "I'm flattered, $!{name}, really. But you know I don't see you that way." She sniggers at her own joke. "Even if you did make my knees go a little weak when we first met."
		
		*if ((sarcastic >= 75)or(charming >= 70))
			"Oh really?" I ask through drawn out words, pushing myself off the wall. 
			
			"Don't worry, the feeling passed as soon as you opened your mouth," she snipes.
			
			*if (gender = "male")
				I can't hold back a laugh. "You really know how to make a guy feel special, Tina."
				
				"I do what I can," she replies through a chuckle of her own. "So, what is it you need from me?"
				*goto chap_ngnum
			*elseif (gender = "female")
				I can't hold back a laugh. "You really know how to make a girl feel special, Tina."
				
				"I do what I can," she replies through a chuckle of her own. "So, what is it you need from me?"
				*goto chap_ngnum
			*else
				I can't hold back a laugh. "You really know how to make me feel special, Tina."
				
				"I do what I can," she replies through a chuckle of her own. "So, what is it you need from me?"
				*goto chap_ngnum
		*elseif ((friendly >= 70)or(sarcastic <= 30))
			"I think you're just being nice," I reply, hoping she can hear the smile through my words. 
			
			"And you're far too modest, $!{name}. If I looked like you, I'd be flaunting it everyday." She sighs. "Anyway, what is it you need from me?"
			*goto chap_ngnum
		*else
			I push myself up from the wall as my brows shoot up. "You never told me that."
			
			"Don't worry, the feeling passed quick enough," she says through a chuckle.
			
			"Wow, I don't know if I'm complimented or offended." I hope she can hear the smile through my words.
			
			"I think it was a compliment…at least the first part," she replies through a laugh of her own. "So, what is it you need me for?"
			*goto chap_ngnum
	#"I need you to do something for me."
		"I need you to do something for me," I say, getting straight to the point.
		
		"No hello? No, 'Hey Tina, how's it going?' Just straight to the orders, huh?" She breathes out a sharp breath. "Your promotion has really changed you."
		
		I rub at my forehead as I draw to a stop. "I'm kind of in a hurry."
		
		"It's all right. I'll forgive you…at least this time," she comments through a light chuckle. "So, what do you need?"
		*goto chap_ngnum
		
*label chap8_verdaopening
As I shut the door to my room, I drag my phone out of my pocket and search through my contacts. My thumb hovers over Verda's name.

He's the only one who knows I'm working with Unit Bravo on this case, as well as their true identities, so he's likely the only who could properly cover for me at the station while I'm away.

[i]But will he?[/i]

He's already terrified enough without me dragging him further into it. But how else can I explain my absence? I'm starting to run out of believable excuses….

I suck in a breath, press my thumb down, and listen for it to connect.

It rings. For a very long time.

Until Verda finally picks up.

"Detective $!{surname}," he croaks from the other end, an awful tightness to the way he says my name.

I hold back a wince.

*choice
	#Hesitate. "Hey Verda…I, uh, I have a favour to ask."
		I hesitate, half-wondering and half-hoping there might be a friendly greeting tacked onto his statement.
		
		There isn't, so I speak instead to fill the horribly dragging silence. 
		
		"Hey Verda," I begin, clearing my throat at the slight awkward strain to the words. "I have a favour to ask."
		
		"You are my superior, Detective. You don't need to ask favours," he retorts.
		
		I halt in the corridor as a sting carves through me at his terse statement. "Verda…."
		
		A strong sigh sounds from the other end. "I'm sorry, $!{name}. That was uncalled for. I will help if I can. What is it you need?"
		*goto chap8_verdanext
	#Tense laugh. "I can really sense how happy you are to hear from me."
		The palpable disquiet from Verda's end of the call has a bubble of nervous laughter spilling out of me. 
		
		"I can really sense how happy you are to hear from me," I eek out.
		
		"That's not…," he begins to stutter in reply before cutting the words short. "I'm sorry, Detective. Is there something you need?"
		*goto chap8_verdanext
	#Ignore the tension. "I need you to do something for me."
		I can almost feel Verda's disquiet seep through the phone, but I brush it away to get to the task at hand. "I need you to do something for me."
		
		"Of course. You are my superior, Detective. I will do as you ask," he replies, the words sharp enough to slice through the previous unease.
		
		His biting tone makes my steps falter, but frown through it and push on once again. "I have some…other business I need to take care of. Will you cover for me at the station?"
		
		Dead air greets me, long enough that I glance at my phone's screen to make sure the call is still connected.
		
		"And this 'other business' would relate to…." He cuts himself off, but I can guess his meaning.
		
		"Yes, [i]that[/i] other business," I affirm.
		
		I can't even hear him breathe before he hurries out, "As you need, Detective."
		
		The call clicks off, and I drop my gaze to the floor as my chest squeezes, but I ignore the sensation as best as I can before continuing on down the maze of hallways.
		*goto chap8_decide
	#Wait for a hello. "Well, this just got super awkward."
		I leave the space between us quiet in the hopes there will be a cheerful—or even just polite—greeting tacked onto the end of his statement.
		
		But none follows.
	
		"Well, this just got super awkward," I mumble, trying to break through the disquiet that lingers from the other end of the call.
		
		"Is there something you actually need, Detective?" he prompts through terse words.
		*goto chap8_verdanext
	#"I need to ask a favour, but you don't have to agree."
		"I need to ask a favour," I begin, sensing the disquiet growing from his end and quickly adding, "but you don't have to do it."
		
		"You are my superior, Detective. It's my job to do as you order," he replies in a toneless voice that makes me bite at my lip.
		
		"Come on, Verda…."
		
		A sigh seeps through the phone. "I'm sorry. That was unnecessary. Of course, I will try to help. What do you need?"
		*goto chap8_verdanext
*label chap8_verdanext

"I need to take some time away from the station. Would you be able to cover for me while I'm away?"
		
Dead air greets me, long enough that I glance at my phone's screen to make sure the call is still connected.

"And the reason for your time away is due to…," another silent pause before, "[i]other[/i] business?"

"Yes, [i]that[/i] kind of other business," I affirm.

I can't even hear him breathe before he hurries out, "I will do my best, Detective."

The call clicks off, and I drop my gaze to the floor as my chest squeezes. It takes a moment before I can continue on down the maze of hallways.
*goto chap8_decide

*label chap8_tinaopening
As I shut the door to my room, I drag my phone out of my pocket and hit the contact for Tina. I'm just hoping she'll be willing to cover for me while I'm gone.

It only rings twice before she answers.

"Good morning," she drawls with less enthusiasm than usual. I glance at the clock and the early hour, which explains it. "What's up?"

"I have a favour to ask," I begin.

There's a brief pause before she replies, "Has this got anything to do with…[i]the supernatural[/i]." She quietens to a whisper as she speaks the last part.

*choice
	#"It does, but it's probably not as exciting as you're hoping."
		"It does," I reply, scrunching up my face a little. "But it's probably not anywhere near as exciting as you're hoping for."
		
		"Anything is better than sitting here staring at Douglas," she quips. "What do you need?"
		
		I shift the phone to my other ear as I continue on down the hall. "Would you be able to cover for me for the next while? I need to stick close to Unit Bravo."
		
		"I'd be sticking as close as possible to them too." Her lewd chuckle reverberates down the phone.
		
		I purse my lips to avoid a sigh. "Would that be okay?"
		
		"Sure. It's not like anything is going on here. I doubt anyone will even know you're gone."
		
		*if ((charming >= 70)or(sarcastic >= 70))
			I rest a hand on my chest even though she can't see it. "Well now, that hurts."
			
			She sighs. "You know what I mean."
			
			I smile. "Yeah. Thanks, Tina. I'll talk to you soon."
			
			She makes a hum of agreement before I click to finish the call and continue on down the maze of hallways.
			*goto chap8_decide
		*else
			"Thanks, Tina. I'll talk to you soon."
			
			She makes a hum of agreement before I click to finish the call and continue on down the maze of hallways.
			*goto chap8_decide
	#Chuckle. "We should probably come up with a code word."
		I pause in the hallway to let out a soft laugh. "You know, we should probably come up with some kind of code name if we're going to keep talking about them."
		
		"What on Earth could we use that wouldn't attract attention?" she asks, but then pauses. "Actually, apart from around Bobby, you could probably just call them vampires and not get a reaction. People are too hung up on their own lives to listen to other people these days."
		
		*if ((sarcastic <= 30)or(friendly >= 70))
			"People are just…busy. It's not that they don't care, I'm sure," I reply with a slight frown. 
			
			She snorts. "You only say that because you actually like being nice to people. How many are actually nice back?"
			
			"A lot," I begin before pursing my lips. "At least sixty-percent of them."
			
			"Those aren't great numbers." I can hear her chair squeak from the other end as she shifts. "But what was it you needed?"
			*goto chap_ngnum
		*elseif ((friendly <= 30)or(optimist <= 35))
			"You're right. I guess we can stick with calling them what they are without anyone giving a damn," I agree with a release of breath.
			
			"Hey, that makes it easier for us, right?" I can hear her chair squeak from the other end as she shifts. "But what was it you needed?"
			*goto chap_ngnum
		*else
			"Cynical much?" I reply through a smile she can't see but will hopefully be able to hear.
			
			"Realisitic more like. Why do you think I like to live in books and games? Reality isn't all it's cracked up to be." I can hear her chair squeak from the other end as she shifts. "But what was it you needed?"
			*goto chap_ngnum
	#Sigh. "Unfortunately, yes. Sorry."
		I pause in the corridor to let out a sigh. "Unfortunately it does, yes. Sorry."
		
		"Why are you sorry? I love helping out with this stuff. Unless it's something that means I don't get the chance to be involved with it…." Her voice trails with a flicker of hope.
		
		"Then I'm doubly sorry."
		
		*if ((charming <= 30)or(friendly <= 30))
			*if (friendly <= 30)
				"Wow, not just one apology from my super-stoic ex-partner but two?" Her gasp echoes down the phone. "I should have recorded this call."
				
				I roll my eyes. "About that favour?"
				
				"Oh yeah," she says, a chuckle on her voice. "What do you need?"
				*goto chap_ngnum
			*else
				"Wow, not just one apology from my super-intimidating ex-partner but two?" Her gasp echoes down the phone. "I should have recorded this call."
				
				I roll my eyes. "About that favour?"
				
				"Oh yeah," she says, a chuckle on her voice. "What do you need?"
				*goto chap_ngnum
		*else
			She laughs softly. "Ah, it's okay. I figured it wouldn't be. So, what do you need?"
			*goto chap_ngnum
	#"You know, not every time I call involves the supernatural."
		I halt in the hallway and tilt my head closer to the phone. "You know, not every call I make to you is about the supernatural."
		
		"…Is this one?"
		
		I purse my lips and hesitate. "Well, yeah."
		
		She laughs. "Don't worry. I'm happy to hear from you even if it's just a personal call."
		
		"You'd just rather I had a supernatural with me when I do?"
		
		"One that's single, if possible," she adds, her laughter still clinging to each word. 
		
		I roll my eyes. "I'll do my best in the future. Now, about that favour?"
		
		"Sure. What do you need?"
		*goto chap_ngnum
	#"…Yeah."
		I hesitate before finally pushing out a reply. "…Yeah."
		
		"Do I get to be involved?"
		
		"…No."
		
		Her sigh almost batters against my eardrum. "Well, it doesn't hurt to ask. So, what do you need?"
		*goto chap_ngnum
*label chap_ngnum
		
"I was wondering if you could cover for me for a while at the station? I need to stick around here," I explain.

"Sure. It's not like much is happening here anyway, unless you count Douglas getting to level thirty-five on his app," she replies. 

"Thanks, Tina. I'll talk to you soon."

She makes a hum of agreement before I click to finish the call and continue on down the maze of hallways.
*goto chap8_decide

*label chap8_decide
*page_break
*if (bookthreedefense = "research")
	*if (romance = "adamnate")
		*goto chap8_lt
	*elseif (romance = "nate")
		*goto chap8_rn
	*elseif (romance = "felix")
		*goto chap8_rf
	*elseif (romance = "mason")
		*goto chap8_rm
	*elseif (romance = "adam")
		*goto chap8_ra
	*else
		*goto chap8_rfriend
*else
	*if (romance = "adamnate")
		*finish Next Chapter
	*elseif (romance = "adam")
		*finish Next Chapter
	*elseif (romance = "felix")
		*goto chap8_cf   
	*elseif (romance = "nate")
		*finish Next Chapter
	*elseif (romance = "mason")
		*goto chap8_cm
	*else
		*finish Next Chapter

*label chap8_lt
*page_break
Pushing open the door to the kitchen, I halt in the doorway as I stare over $!{nate}, $!{adam}, and $!{felix}.

They're all huddled around the table, $!{nate} hunched over a set of papers with ${adam} glancing over ${n_his} shoulder. On the opposite side, $!{felix} tilts a chair back onto its legs. $!{f_his} head is angled towards the ceiling with a distinct air of boredom.

"Everything okay?" I ask as I head further into the room.

Both ${adam} and ${nate} instantly swing their heads around to face me.

*if (ntogether = "true")
	*if (gender = "female")
		"Good morning," ${nate} calls in a melodic way that instantly brightens my morning. $!{n_she} pushes away from the table to stand and walk to me, wrapping an arm about my waist. $!{n_she} draws me close and plants a kiss on my temple.
		*goto chap8_rlt2
	*else
		"Good morning," ${nate} calls in a melodic way that instantly brightens my morning. $!{n_she} pushes away from the table to stand and walk to me, wrapping ${n_his} arms about my middle. $!{n_she} draws me close and plants a kiss on my temple.
		*goto chap8_rlt2
*else
	"Good morning," ${nate} calls in a melodic way that instantly brightens my morning.
	
	The warm buzz from ${n_his} smile fizzles through me right to my toes…at least until I catch sight of ${adam}.

	$!{a_his} lips roll together as ${a_his} eyes meet mine before ${a_she} snaps ${a_his} head away. I swivel my gaze into the empty space of the room as my heart makes a painful thud against my ribs.
	*goto chap8_rlt3
	
*label chap8_rlt2
	
The warm buzz from the gesture fizzles through me right to my toes…at least until I catch sight of ${adam}.

$!{a_his} lips roll together as ${a_his} eyes meet mine before ${a_she} snaps ${a_his} head away. I swivel my gaze into the empty space of the room as my heart makes a painful thud against my ribs.
*goto chap8_rlt3

*label chap8_rlt3

"What are you all up to?" I ask to fill the invading quiet.

*if (bookthreedefense = "research")
	*if (ntogether = "true")
		"Trying to set the patrol schedules around the research we'd planned to do," $!{nate} explains, moving us both closer to the table so that I can look over the papers.
		*goto chap_rlt4
	*else
		"Trying to set the patrol schedules around the research we'd planned to do," $!{nate} explains while gesturing for me to move closer so that I can look over the papers.
		*goto chap_rlt4
*else
	*if (ntogether = "true")
		"Trying to set the patrol schedules around your combat training," $!{nate} explains, moving us both closer to the table so that I can look over the papers.
		*goto chap_clt4
	*else
		"Trying to set the patrol schedules around your combat training," $!{nate} explains while gesturing for me to move closer so that I can look over the papers.
		*goto chap_clt4
		
*label chap_rlt4

"Right," I say with a nod. "I'd forgotten about that."

"They're also trying to decide which one gets to stay with you and help with that research," ${felix} comments, leaning forward and resting ${f_his} elbows on the table in order to join the conversation. "The rest of us have to keep the patrols up, so only one of these two can stay with you." There's a strain to the way ${f_she} says that statement, even more so in the slight wrinkle of ${f_his} nose.
*goto chap_lt5

*label chap_clt4

"Right," I say with a nod. "I'd forgotten about that."

"They're also trying to decide which one gets to stay with you and help with training," ${felix} comments, leaning forward and resting ${f_his} elbows on the table in order to join the conversation. "The rest of us have to keep the patrols up, so only one of these two can stay with you." There's a strain to the way ${f_she} says the statement, even more so in the slight wrinkle of ${f_his} nose.
*goto chap_lt5

*label chap_lt5

"Oh…." The simple word spills from me as I avoid making eye contact with either of the expectant vampires.

*if (ntogether = "true")
	*if (n_man = "man")
		*if (mc_height = "very tall")
			"I offered straight away, obviously," $!{nate} says, smiling at me as ${n_she} presses ${n_his} side closer against mine. "But ${felix} suggested that you may want a more…strict companion to help you through the task."
			*goto chap_lt6
		*else
			"I offered straight away, obviously," $!{nate} says, smiling down at me as ${n_she} presses ${n_his} side closer against mine. "But ${felix} suggested that you may want a more…strict companion to help you through the task."
			*goto chap_lt6
	*else
		*if ((mc_height = "very tall")or(mc_height = "tall"))
			"I offered straight away, obviously," $!{nate} says, smiling at me as ${n_she} presses ${n_his} side closer against mine. "But ${felix} suggested that you may want a more…strict companion to help you through the task."
			*goto chap_lt6
		*else
			"I offered straight away, obviously," $!{nate} says, smiling down at me as ${n_she} presses ${n_his} side closer against mine. "But ${felix} suggested that you may want a more…strict companion to help you through the task."
			*goto chap_lt6
*else
	"I offered straight away," ${nate} says, smiling at me across the table. "But ${felix} suggested that you may want a more…strict companion to help you through the task."
	*goto chap_lt6
			
*label chap_lt6

[i]Thanks so much, ${felix}…[/i]. Even though I grumble the thought silently, it seems the youngest vampire can sense my frustration by the way ${f_she} shrugs at me.

"I would be willing to offer my skills. If you should want them, Detective," ${adam} offers, sending the room into another silence that seems to puncture my lungs and make my breath shiver.

$!{felix} angles back in ${f_his} chair again, none of the usual teasing in ${f_his} eyes, but an unusual seriousness creasing ${f_his} brow. "So, I guess it's up to you."

*choice
	*if (bookthreedefense = "research") #Tackle research with ${adam}.
		*set ltdefense "adam"
		*goto chap8_ltwhoa
	*if (bookthreedefense = "research") #Tackle research with ${nate}.
		*set ltdefense "nate"
		*goto chap8_ltwhon
	*if (bookthreedefense = "combat") #Train with ${nate}.
		*set ltdefense "nate"
		*goto chap8_ltwhon
	*if (bookthreedefense = "combat") #Train with $!{adam}.
		*set ltdefense "adam"
		*goto chap8_ltwhoa
		
*label chap8_ltwhon
I glance between the two of them, my heart following the motion and swinging like a pendulum in my chest. 

*if (ntogether = "true")
	*if (n_man = "man")
		I reach up to spread my hand against ${nate}'s chest. "I'll go with ${nate}." Before I can stop myself, I meet ${adam}'s eye and feel a hollow well form in the pit of my stomach. "At least this time."
		
		$!{nate} wraps ${n_his} fingers around mine with a smile so full of affection that it almost fills the void.
		*goto chap_ltwhon1
	*else
		I reach out to wrap my arm around ${nate}'s waist in return. "I'll go with ${nate}." Before I can stop myself, I meet ${adam}'s eye and feel a hollow well form in the pit of my stomach. "At least this time."
		
		$!{nate} beams a smile so full of affection that it almost fills the void.
		*goto chap_ltwhon1
	*label chap_ltwhon1	
	
	But when ${n_she} turns back to look at the room, the expression falls away on seeing the tight pain that winces across ${adam}'s features.
	
	The commanding agent does well to school ${a_his} expression back quickly, but I can feel the tension that tugs through ${nate} beside me. $!{n_she} casts ${n_his} gaze down.
	
	"Then I am no longer needed here," ${adam} states, turning on the spot to march from the room.
	
	I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
	
	Instead, ${nate}'s arm slides away from me, and ${n_she} takes off after ${adam} with ${n_his} hands outstretched.
	
	The door clicks shut behind them.
	*goto chap8_ltfcomment
*else
	I step closer to the table where ${nate} is sat. "I'll go with ${nate}." Before I can stop myself, I meet ${adam}'s eye and feel a hollow well form in the pit of my stomach. "At least this time."
		
	$!{nate} beams a smile so full of affection that it almost fills the void.
	
	But when ${n_she} turns back to look at the room, the expression falls away on seeing the tight pain that winces across ${adam}'s features.
	
	The commanding agent does well to school ${a_his} expression back quickly, but I can feel the tension that tugs through ${nate} beside me. $!{n_she} casts ${n_his} gaze down.
	
	"Then I am no longer needed here," ${adam} states, turning on the spot to march from the room.
	
	I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
	
	Instead, ${nate} springs from ${n_his} seat and takes off after ${adam} with ${n_his} hands outstretched.
	
	The door clicks shut behind them.
	*goto chap8_ltfcomment

*label chap8_ltwhoa
I glance between the two of them, my heart following the motion and swinging like a pendulum in my chest. 
		
*if (ntogether = "true")
	"I'll go with ${adam}," I say before quickly turning to ${nate}. "At least this time."
	
	$!{n_she} attempts a smile, but it doesn't reach ${n_his} eyes, and ${n_his} arm slides away from around me instantly. "Of course."
	
	There's no warmth behind the words, no emotion, no nothing. I swallow down the hitch which forms in my throat.
	
	*if (bookthreedefense = "research")
		"I will gather up the materials necessary for tomorrow," ${adam} states, stepping closer towards me.
		*goto chap8_ltwho2
	*else
		"I will set up the training area ready for tomorrow," ${adam} states, stepping closer towards me.
		*goto chap8_ltwho2
	*label chap8_ltwho2
	
	$!{nate} retreats a step back, and ${adam} instantly freezes in place, a slight shift of a frown on ${a_his} features.
	
	*if (bookthreedefense = "research")
		$!{a_she} dares a quick glance at me before turning and marching towards the door. "I will meet you here in the morning, Detective." $!{a_she} then disappears through the doorway.
		*goto chap8_ltwho3
	*else
		$!{a_she} dares a quick glance at me before turning and marching towards the door. "I will meet you in the clearing near the warehouse tomorrow morning, Detective." $!{a_she} then disappears through the doorway.
		*goto chap8_ltwho3	
	*label chap8_ltwho3
	
	I shift my focus to ${nate}, the gap between us growing as ${n_she} retreats yet another step from me. 
	
	"I'll talk to you later," ${n_she} mumbles, not meeting my eye, before following the same exit as ${adam}.
	
	The door slams shut behind ${n_him}, making me wince.
	*goto chap8_ltfcomment
*else
	"I'll go with ${adam}," I say before quickly looking to ${nate}. "At least this time."
	
	$!{n_she} drops ${n_his} gaze to the table, leaning back and folding ${n_his} hands together. "Of course."
	
	There's no warmth behind the words, no emotion, no nothing. I swallow down the hitch which forms in my throat.
	
	*if (bookthreedefense = "research")
		"I will gather up the materials necessary for tomorrow," ${adam} states, stepping closer towards me.
		*goto chap8_ltwho2z
	*else
		"I will set up the training area ready for tomorrow," ${adam} states, stepping closer towards me.
		*goto chap8_ltwho2z
	*label chap8_ltwho2z
	
	$!{nate} flicks ${n_his} head over to look at the motion, and ${adam} instantly freezes in place, a slight shift of a frown on ${a_his} features.
	
	*if (bookthreedefense = "research")
		$!{a_she} dares a quick glance at me before turning and marching towards the door. "I will meet you here in the morning, Detective." $!{a_she} then disappears through the doorway.
		*goto chap8_ltwho3aa
	*else
		$!{a_she} dares a quick glance at me before turning and marching towards the door. "I will meet you in the clearing near the warehouse tomorrow morning, Detective." $!{a_she} then disappears through the doorway.
		*goto chap8_ltwho3aa
	*label chap8_ltwho3aa
	
	I shift my focus to ${nate} as ${n_she} pushes ${n_him}self up from the chair. 
	
	"I'll talk to you later," ${n_she} mumbles, not meeting my eye, before following the same exit as ${adam}.
	
	The door slams shut behind ${n_him}, making me wince.
	*goto chap8_ltfcomment

*label chap8_ltfcomment
*if ((highfriend = "felix")or(felixf >= 10))
	*if (callme = "Detective")
		"I'm sorry, $!{name}," $!{felix} mutters from behind me.
		*goto chap8_ltfcommentnamenick
	*else
		"I'm sorry, $!{callme}," $!{felix} mutters from behind me.
		*goto chap8_ltfcommentnamenick
	*label chap8_ltfcommentnamenick
		
	I swing around, thankful to have someone else to focus on. "For what?"
	
	"For pushing this, I suppose," ${f_she} explains with a heavy sigh and falling back into ${f_his} chair. "But you have to understand that…we're family. This mess you all have going on…." $!{f_she} waves ${f_his} hand towards me and then at the door where the others left. "It affects all of us, not just you three."
	
	*choice
		#Look away. "…I don't know what mess you're talking about."
			I hold ${f_his} eye for a moment more before forcing my gaze away. "…I don't know what mess you're talking about."
			
			"Oh good, because another one of you in the deep depths of denial is really going to sort all of this out," ${f_she} replies with a scoffed laugh.
			
			I hold back the sigh which wants to release.
			
			I glance over my shoulder when ${f_his} hand rests gently on my back. 
			
			"Don't get too far into this without saying something. It'll just hurt more in the end if you wait." $!{f_his} voice is barely more than a croaked whisper through ${f_his} creased expression. $!{f_his} lips part as if to say something more, but ${f_she} just offers a small smile before patting my back and heading out of the room.
			
			I release a breath and glance to the floor, a tightness twisting in in my chest, knowing ${f_she}'s right.
			*goto chaplt_scenechoice
		#Sigh. "It's not like it's a voluntary thing, you know."
			"It's not exactly a voluntary thing, you know," I reply, releasing a heavy sigh after the words and rubbing at my neck.
			
			"I get that. Love isn't controllable, which is part of what makes it so fun." $!{f_she} examines me before shrugging. "Or not quite so fun in your case."
			
			I flop into a chair and stare at the ground, only glancing up when ${f_his} hand rests gently on my back.
		
			"Don't get too far into this without saying something. It'll just hurt more in the end if you wait." $!{f_his} voice is barely more than a croaked whisper through ${f_his} creased expression. $!{f_his} lips part as if to say something more, but ${f_she} just offers a small smile before patting my back and heading out of the room.
			
			A tightness twists in in my chest as I realise ${f_she}'s right.
			*goto chaplt_scenechoice
		#Frown. "This is our business, ${felix}. Not yours."
			I frown over at ${f_him}. "This is our business, ${felix}. Not yours."
			
			"Didn't I just say it doesn't affect only you guys?" ${f_she} fires back before standing up with a sigh. "I get that this whole thing is between you guys. But maybe…don't let it drag on too long. It's just going to hurt everyone more if you wait."
			
			I watch ${f_him} leave, a tightness twisting in in my chest, knowing ${f_she}'s probably right.
			*goto chaplt_scenechoice
		#Shrug. "I'm sure if I just ignore it all, it will go away."
			I bounce my shoulders up before leaning against the sideboard. "I'll just handle this as I handle all my other emotional problems."
			
			"How's that?" ${f_she} asks.
			
			"Ignore them until they go away, usually."
			
			$!{f_she} breathes out a laugh and stands up to walk towards me, placing a gentle hand on my arm. "You really think you're going to be able to ignore them?"
			
			I glance at the door where the two vampires had left. "No, I suppose not."
			
			"Don't get too far into this without saying something. It'll just hurt more if you wait." $!{f_his} voice is barely more than a croaked whisper through ${f_his} creased expression. $!{f_his} lips part as if to say something more, but ${f_she} just offers a small smile before patting my arm and heading out of the room.
			
			I watch ${f_him} leave, a tightness twisting in in my chest, knowing ${f_she}'s right.
			*goto chaplt_scenechoice
		#Slump into chair. "I know. Sorry."
			*if (mc_haircut = "bald")
				I slump into the nearby chair, hunching forward and running my hands over my head. "I know. I'm sorry, ${felix}."
				*goto chap8_ltfsorry
			*elseif (mc_haircut = "very short")
				I slump into the nearby chair, hunching forward and running my hands over my hair. "I know. I'm sorry, ${felix}."
				*goto chap8_ltfsorry
			*else
				I slump into the nearby chair, hunching forward and running my hands through my hair. "I know. I'm sorry, ${felix}."
				*goto chap8_ltfsorry
			*label chap8_ltfsorry
			
			My gaze is pulled up when ${f_she} walks over to rest a gentle hand on my back. "It's not like it's your fault. Love isn't exactly something we can control. But maybe don't get too far into this without saying something. It'll just hurt more if you wait." $!{f_his} voice is barely more than a croaked whisper through ${f_his} creased expression. $!{f_his} lips part as if to say something more, but ${f_she} just offers a small smile before patting my back and heading out of the room.
			
			I watch ${f_him} leave, a tightness twisting in in my chest, knowing ${f_she}'s right.
			*goto chaplt_scenechoice
*else
	"Well, that could have gone better," ${felix} quips.

	I turn on ${f_him} with a scowl.
	
	$!{f_she} holds up ${f_his} hands. "Hey, you guys started this mess, not me."
	
	I release a breath and look back to the door, a tightness twisting in in my chest, knowing ${f_she}'s right.
	*goto chaplt_scenechoice

*label chaplt_scenechoice
*if (ltdefense = "adam")
	*if (bookthreedefense = "research")
		*page_break
		[i][b]At the Kitchen. The Next Morning[/i][/b]
		
		*goto chap8_ra2
	*else
		*finish Next Chapter
*else
	*if (bookthreedefense = "research")
		*page_break
		[i][b]At the Warehouse's Library. The Next Morning[/i][/b]
		
		*goto chap8_rn2
	*else
		*finish Next Chapter

*label chap8_rn

Seeing as I'm staying with the group, it was decided we might as well take the opportunity to do the research on the Anunnaki we'd discussed. I already agreed to meet $!{nate} in the library, so I make my way there.
*page_break
*goto chap8_rn2

*label chap8_rn2
Swinging open the door to the impressive vault of knowledge within, I expect to see ${nate} already huddled over a table surrounded by stacks of half-open books and a notepad nearly filled.

Instead, I do see ${nate}, but ${n_she}'s balanced against the edge of the polished wood table, adopting a heart-racing smile as soon as I enter.

I tilt myself sideways slightly to check the empty table behind ${n_him}. "Are we not doing research today?"

*if (ntogether = "true")
	*if (natefirstkiss = "")
		"We are," ${n_she} replies, pushing ${n_him}self up to walk closer towards me. A spark of fizzling heat erupts between us as ${n_she} draws to a close stop in front of me. I let out a slow breath to dispel some of the warmth.
		*goto chap8_rn3
	*else
		*if (n_man = "man")
			*if (mc_height = "very tall")
				"We are," ${n_she} replies, pushing ${n_him}self up to walk closer towards me. As ${n_she} approaches, I lean forward in order to return the light kiss ${n_she} offers, the warm taste of ${n_him} covering my mouth.
				*goto chap8_rn3
			*elseif (mc_height = "tall")
				"We are," ${n_she} replies, pushing ${n_him}self up to walk closer towards me. As ${n_she} approaches, I turn my head up in order to return the light kiss ${n_she} offers, the warm taste of ${n_him} covering my mouth.
				*goto chap8_rn3
			*else
				"We are," ${n_she} replies, pushing ${n_him}self up to walk closer towards me. As ${n_she} approaches, I tip toe in order to return the light kiss ${n_she} offers, the warm taste of ${n_him} covering my mouth.
				*goto chap8_rn3
		*else
			*if ((mc_height = "very tall")or(mc_height = "tall"))
				"We are," ${n_she} replies, pushing ${n_him}self up to walk closer towards me. As ${n_she} approaches, I lean forward in order to return the light kiss ${n_she} offers, the warm taste of ${n_him} covering my mouth.
				*goto chap8_rn3
			*else
				"We are," ${n_she} replies, pushing ${n_him}self up to walk closer towards me. As ${n_she} approaches, I tip toe in order to return the light kiss ${n_she} offers, the warm taste of ${n_him} covering my mouth.
				*goto chap8_rn3
*else
	"We are," ${n_she} replies, pushing ${n_him}self up to walk closer towards me. A spark of fizzling heat erupts between us as ${n_she} draws to a close stop in front of me. I let out a slow breath to dispel some of the warmth.
	*goto chap8_rn3
*label chap8_rn3

"So why no books?" I enquire, arching a brow and glancing about the tome-filled space. "I mean, you usually have research on the go by the time I arrive."

*if (ntogether = "true")
	*if (gender = "female")
		"Well," ${n_she} begins, sliding ${n_his} arms around my waist to hug me close against ${n_his} chest. "I thought you might like to take the research outside. It seems far too lovely a day to waste shut up in here."
		*goto chap8_rn4
	*else
		"Well," ${n_she} begins, sliding ${n_his} arms around my middle to hug ${n_him}self close against my chest. "I thought you might like to take the research outside. It seems far too lovely a day to waste shut up in here."
		*goto chap8_rn4
*else
	"Well," ${n_she} begins, ${n_his} gaze dancing over me as I take a step closer, as though I'm drawn forward without noticing. "I thought you might like to take the research outside. It seems far too lovely a day to waste shut up in here."
	*goto chap8_rn4
*label chap8_rn4

Sunshine spreads its golden glow through the small windows at the top of the room, illuminating the tops of the bookcases but not daring to fall on the delicate books.

"I guess that might be nice," I reply.

*if (ntogether = "true")
	"Wonderful! Follow me." $!{n_she} steps back, letting ${n_his} arms fall away from around me, but only so as ${n_she} can wrap ${n_his} hand around mine instead. 
	*goto chap8_rn5
*else
	"Wonderful! Follow me." $!{n_she} makes to step past me, wrapping ${n_his} hand around mine as ${n_she} goes. 
	*goto chap8_rn5
*label chap8_rn5

I follow eagerly as ${n_she} leads me out of the library.
*page_break
As we open a concealed side door of the warehouse I'd never noticed before, ${nate} shies away with a wince as the sun bursts into the darkened corridor inside.

"You okay?" I ask, squeezing ${n_his} hand. 

$!{n_she} smiles over ${n_his} shoulder at me. "I'm fine, thank you. Come on. I've got it all set up," ${n_she} comments. Once again ${n_she} leads me, but now out into the summer's day that's already delightfully warm this early in the morning.
	
I shake my head as I trail behind ${n_him}, weaving around a hedge of overgrown bushes. "Set up? What do you—" Beyond the leafy barrier is an entire picnic spread. A selection of the sandwiches, fruit, fresh sliced veggies, and pies already laid out on a green-checked blanket. The scene is completed by an old-fashioned hamper picnic basket, as well as small stacks of books creating a small fence about the scene, topped off with a jug of orange juice.
	
"Wow…," I breathe out, unsure what else to say.

*if (ntogether = "true")
	$!{n_she} tugs me closer by the hand and smiles. "I hope you like it."
	*goto chap8_rn7
*else
	$!{n_she} tangles ${n_his} fingers further into mine and smiles. "I hope you like it."
	*goto chap8_rn7
*label chap8_rn7
*choice
	*if (ntogether = "true") #Kiss ${n_his} cheek and hug ${n_him}. "I love it. Thank you so much."
		*if ((mc_height = "very tall")or(mc_height = "tall"))
			*if (gender = "female")
				I turn on the spot, throwing my arms around ${n_his} neck and planting a kiss on ${n_his} cheek. "I love it," I whisper into ${n_his} ear, enjoying the shiver that I can feel run through ${n_him}. "Thank you so much."
				*goto chap8_rn8
			*else
				I turn on the spot, wrapping my arms around ${n_his} neck and planting a kiss on ${n_his} cheek. "I love it," I whisper into ${n_his} ear, enjoying the shiver that I can feel run through ${n_him}. "Thank you so much."
				*goto chap8_rn8
		*else
			*if (gender = "female")
				I turn on the spot, bouncing onto tiptoes so I can throw my arms around ${n_his} neck and plant a kiss on ${n_his} cheek. "I love it," I whisper into ${n_his} ear, enjoying the shiver that I can feel run through ${n_him}. "Thank you so much."
				*goto chap8_rn8
			*else
				I turn on the spot, reaching up so I can wrap my arms around ${n_his} neck and plant a kiss on ${n_his} cheek. "I love it," I whisper into ${n_his} ear, enjoying the shiver that I can feel run through ${n_him}. "Thank you so much."
				*goto chap8_rn8
	*if (ntogether = "") #Hug ${n_him}. "It's amazing. Thank you so much."
		*if ((mc_height = "very tall")or(mc_height = "tall"))
			*if (gender = "female")
				I turn on the spot, throwing my arms around ${n_his} neck in a hug. "I love it," I whisper into ${n_his} ear, enjoying the shiver that I can feel run through ${n_him}. "Thank you so much."
				*goto chap8_rn8
			*else
				I turn on the spot, wrapping my arms around ${n_his} neck in a hug. "I love it," I whisper into ${n_his} ear, enjoying the shiver that I can feel run through ${n_him}. "Thank you so much."
				*goto chap8_rn8
		*else
			*if (gender = "female")
				I turn on the spot, bouncing onto tiptoes so I can throw my arms around ${n_his} neck in a hug. "I love it," I whisper into ${n_his} ear, enjoying the shiver that I can feel run through ${n_him}. "Thank you so much."
				*goto chap8_rn8
			*else
				I turn on the spot, reaching up so I can wrap my arms around ${n_his} neck in a hug. "I love it," I whisper into ${n_his} ear, enjoying the shiver that I can feel run through ${n_him}. "Thank you so much."
				*goto chap8_rn8
	#Chuckle. "What would you have done if I'd said no to coming outside?"
		I can't help but turn to ${n_him} with a gentle chuckle. "What would you have done if I'd said no to coming outside after you'd done all of this?"
		
		"Then I would have told you I'd get research set up and moved all of this inside as though it was the plan all along," ${n_she} replies.
		
		I nod, keeping my smile firmly in place. "Very smooth."
		
		"I try," ${n_she} says with a small shrug.
		
		"I don't think you need to try and be smooth. It seems to radiate out of every pore you have." 
		
		$!{n_she} splutters out a breathy laugh before glancing away, licking at ${n_his} lips and stammering on a reply. "That's very sweet of you to say." $!{n_she} meets my gaze again with a broad smile. "Not entirely accurate, I think. But very sweet all the same."
		
		We both laugh at that.
		*goto chap8_rn8
	#Stare at the scene. "You didn't have to do this for me."
		It takes me a long moment just to process that it isn't a mirage. "$!{nate}…you really didn't have to do this for me."
		
		*if (ntogether = "true")
			"Just because I didn't have to, doesn't mean I didn't want to," ${n_she} replies, bringing our clasped hands up so ${n_she} can kiss the back of mine. "How could I not want to make you happy every second of every day?"
			*goto chap8_rn7a
		*else
			"Just because I didn't have to, doesn't mean I didn't want to," ${n_she} replies. "Seeing you happy seems to bring me the greatest joy these days. So it's worth any effort to achieve."
			*goto chap8_rn7a
		*label chap8_rn7a
		
		*if (gender = "female")
			I practically swoon right there into the grass.
			*goto chap8_rn7at
		*else
			I practically melt right there into the grass.
			*goto chap8_rn7at
		*label chap8_rn7at
		
		"Thank you. But it's really…a lot," I comment.
		
		$!{nate}'s smile falters into a slight frown. "Too much?"
		
		"No," I spill out quickly. "It's just…I guess I'm not used to things like this."
		
		"Then I'll just have to keep doing them until you are." $!{n_his} smile returns with a new brilliance that brings out a cheer of my own.
		*goto chap8_rn8
	#Blink a few times. "No one…no one's ever done something like this for me."
		My mouth moves as though to form words I'm not sure of as my brain processes just what ${n_she}'s done.
		
		What ${n_she}'s done for [i]me[/i].
		
		"No one…." I stumble on the reply, the admittance I'm about to make leaving a slight sting through me. "No one's ever done anything like this for me before."
		
		$!{n_his} smile falters into a frown. "No one?"
		
		*if (n_man = "man")
			I shake my head and attempt a smile of my own, but it's as weak as ${n_his}. "Nope."
			*goto chap8_nonenb
		*else
			I shake my head and attempt a smile of my own, but it's as weak as ${n_his}s. "Nope."
			*goto chap8_nonenb
		*label chap8_nonenb
			
		*if (bobex = "love")
			*if ((bobfirstintro = "ex")or(bobexknow = "yes"))
				"But what about," ${n_she} almost chokes on the name, "Bobby?"
				
				I snort out a breath that's half a disbelieving laugh, shaking my head at the mere idea. "Definitely not."
				*goto chap8_rn7b
			*else
				*goto chap8_rn7b
		*else
			*goto chap8_rn7b
		*label chap8_rn7b
		
		*if (ntogether = "true")
			*if (n_man = "man")
				*if (callme = "Detective")
					$!{n_she} removes ${n_his} hand from mine in order to wrap an arm around me and pull me close to ${n_him}. "I'm sorry, $!{name}. You deserve to be treated far better." $!{n_she} meets my eye. "And you will. I promise you that."
					*goto chap8_rn7c
				*else
					$!{n_she} removes ${n_his} hand from mine in order to wrap an arm around me and pull me close to ${n_him}. "I'm sorry, $!{callme}. You deserve to be treated far better." $!{n_she} meets my eye. "And you will. I promise you that."
					*goto chap8_rn7c
			*else
				*if (callme = "Detective")
					$!{n_she} removes ${n_his} hand from mine in order to wrap an arm around me and pull ${n_him}self to my side. "I'm sorry, $!{name}. You deserve to be treated far better." $!{n_she} meets my eye. "And you will. I promise you that."
					*goto chap8_rn7c
				*else
					$!{n_she} removes ${n_his} hand from mine in order to wrap an arm around me and pull ${n_him}self to my side. "I'm sorry, $!{callme}. You deserve to be treated far better." $!{n_she} meets my eye. "And you will. I promise you that."
					*goto chap8_rn7c
			*label chap8_rn7c

			My heart seems to swell until it won't fit in my chest, and I let out a breath just to release some of the intensity ${n_his} words fuel in me.
			*goto chap8_rn8
		*else
			*if (callme = "Detective")
					$!{n_she} frowns at me, ${n_his} arm moving as though to wrap about me before ${n_she} flexes ${n_his} hand at ${n_his} side instead to stop ${n_him}self. "I'm sorry, $!{name}. You deserve to be treated far better."
					*goto chap8_rn7d
			*else
				$!{n_she} frowns at me, ${n_his} arm moving as though to wrap about me before flexes ${n_his} hand at ${n_his} side instead to stop ${n_him}self. "I'm sorry, $!{callme}. You deserve to be treated far better."
				*goto chap8_rn7d
			*label chap8_rn7d
			
			I can sense the 'And I would treat you the best' ${n_she} wants to add to the end of that sentence, even if ${n_she} hesitates in saying it.
			*goto chap8_rn8
	#Smile at ${n_him}. "When did you have time to do all of this?"
		A smile instantly catches my lips. "When did you have time to do all of this?"
		
		*if (n_man = "man")
			*if (ntogether = "true")
				"Let's just say it's lucky vampires don't need to sleep much." $!{n_she} chuckles, rubbing at ${n_his} neck with ${n_his} free hand while dropping ${n_his} gaze to the spread. "Those pies took longer to make than I remembered."
				*goto chap8_rn7e
			*else
				"Let's just say it's lucky vampires don't need to sleep much." $!{n_she} chuckles, rubbing at ${n_his} neck while dropping ${n_his} gaze to the spread. "Those pies took longer to make than I remembered."
				*goto chap8_rn7e
		*else
			"Let's just say it's lucky vampires don't need to sleep much." $!{n_she} chuckles, tucking a curl of hair behind her ear and dropping ${n_his} gaze to the spread. "Those pies took longer to make than I remembered."
			*goto chap8_rn7e	
		*label chap8_rn7e
		
		"Wait, you cooked those?" I blurt out.
		
		*if (ntogether = "true")
			$!{n_she} nods and squeezes my hand, the smile that eases onto ${n_his} lips making my body warm. "You deserve the very best."
			*goto chap8_rn7f
		*else
			$!{n_she} nods and then offers a smile that makes my body warm. "Of course. I'm trying to show you my best qualities."
			*goto chap8_rn7f
		*label chap8_rn7f
		
		"Well, I…," I glance at the picnic again, "I'm starting to wonder if you're actually real."
		
		"Very much so," ${n_she} purrs, turning my warmth into a full blown eruption of fire sizzling right down to my toes.
		*goto chap8_rn8
		
*label chap8_rn8
*page_break 
We move towards the blanket, where we take cross-legged positions opposite each other, the fabric beneath us rich and silky—certainly not the type of fabric I imagine was supposed to be used for laying on grass.

The encircling bushes, though wild and unkempt, are blooming with deep red flowers, their golden centres abuzz with adorably fat bumblebees. The scent of them blankets the secluded area in a honey fragrance, and I melt into the moment as the morning sun warms me, leaning back to sink further into it.

*if (ntogether = "true")
	When I open my eyes, ${nate} is smiling at me. 
	
	"What?" I ask, sitting forward and crossing my legs in front of me again.
	
	"You're just…very captivating." $!{n_she} almost whispers the compliment, ${n_his} soft breath breezing against my skin as we shift closer towards each other.
	*goto chap8_rn9
*else
	When I open my eyes, ${nate} is smiling at me. 
	
	"What?" I ask, sitting forward and crossing my legs in front of me again.
	
	"Sorry." $!{n_she} brushes ${n_his} fingers over ${n_his} lips to try and hide ${n_his} smile. "It's just you're…very captivating." $!{n_she} almost whispers the compliment, ${n_his} soft breath breezing against my skin as we shift closer towards each other.
	*goto chap8_rn9
*label chap8_rn9	

I slide my arm back to balance better, my hand butting up against a solid obstacle. I glance to one of the stacks of books piled about us.

"I suppose we should actually get some research started," I say, picking up the top book and glancing over its age-worn leather cover. The spine has some delicate gold writing etched into it that is too faint to read.

$!{nate} matches my motion, taking a book and letting it fall gently open in ${n_his} lap. "I found what books I could that might offer even a shred of information. But the Anunnaki are incredibly rare. There isn't much myth about them, and even less facts. Though I suppose that holds true with all the supernaturals that come under the 'Celestial' class."

"Like what?"

$!{n_she} pulls one of ${n_his} knees towards ${n_him}self and glances up with a slight purse of ${n_his} lips. I stare at ${n_his} mouth for a moment too long before shaking my head.

"All forms of angels come under Celestial—"

My eyes widen. "Angels? Are you serious?"

$!{n_she} smiles. "It's probably not what you're thinking. They have no religious connections at all, though I'm sure you can understand why so many cultures ended up using them as religious icons. They are an impressive bunch, and it's not as easy for them to keep out of sight of humans when they are around."

"And because most of what is written about them are stories, I'm guessing that will make it even harder to sift through for actual information?" I ask with a sigh.

$!{n_she} nods. "There are a few Agency reports and files from a couple of centuries back. So I'm not sure where you wish to start?"

*choice
	#"How about a more modern and technical approach to the task?"
		*set science %+10
		*set approach "sci"
		"What about on the internet? Or the Agency database?" I enquire.
		
		$!{nate}'s nose crinkles before ${n_she} glances down into ${n_his} lap. "Oh, uh…Well, I didn't actually think of those."
		
		I chuckle. "It's all right. I'll grab my laptop and see if I have any luck on there while you stick to the books."
		
		A wash of relief has ${n_his} body slumping. "That sounds like a good plan."
		
		Getting up from my spot, I jog back to the warehouse and quickly retrieve my laptop, managing to set it up and log onto the database as I settle back on the blanket beside ${n_him}.
		
		And then we both get down to work.
		*goto chap8_rn14
	#"How about starting with the myths from Babylon?"
		*set deduction %+10
		*set approach "ded"
		I pull some of the indicated files closer towards me, beginning to unknot the twine ties keeping them sealed. "I guess we start at the beginning and work our way forward."

		$!{n_she} raises a brow.

		"You said they came through a portal in Babylon originally, right? So let's start there."

		$!{nate} glances over one shoulder at a pile of neatly stacked books before turning to look over the other. "Ah, here." $!{n_she} passes me a book which must have once been brilliant white but has now dulled to ivory with speckles of grey age-spots. "Try this one."

		"Thanks." I crack open the first page with care, listening to the creak of the leather, and begin scanning the first page.
		*goto chap8_rn14
	#"I'll focus on finding out what they're like as people."
		*set people %+10
		*set approach "pep"
		"Anunnaki may have some myths about them, but they are still real people, right?" I say.
		
		"Well, yes," ${nate} replies, leaning back as ${n_she} looks at me. "How does that help?"
		
		"It means that people leave traces. Especially ones that stand out as much as they do." I shrug and tap at the Agency files. "They wouldn't have been able to help it. So I think our best bet might be to start with reports of real Anunnaki encounters rather than just the myths. See if they have any commonalities."
		
		$!{nate} nods. "Ah, I see. Then you better start with these." $!{n_she} pushes a small, twine-tied stack of folders in my direction. A thin layer of dust coats the cream cardboard fronts, turning them a sickly grey. 
		
		"Thanks." I start to unknot the ties, and we both set to work.
		*goto chap8_rn14
	#"How about seeing if there's been any past confrontations with them?"
		*set combat %+10
		*set approach "com"
		"Are the Anunnaki usually confrontational?" I ask.
		
		$!{nate} rubs a hand over ${n_his} book as ${n_she} glances up in thought. "Not as far as I'm aware. Interactions with them are extremely rare, though I think I heard tale a long time ago about a hostile meeting at one of the smaller facilities."
		
		I nod at the stack of Agency files. "Do you have files from that facility?"
		
		"No, but I do have some printouts that ${felix} retrieved for me from that location." $!{n_she} reaches behind ${n_him} and digs through the papers until pulling a paperclipped pile out. "Here you go."
		
		"I'll start on these. See if the incident has a report. We might learn something from that," I state.
		
		And so we both set to work.
		*goto chap8_rn14
*label chap8_rn14
*page_break
*if (approach = "sci")
	The morning drifts on, my body fully content after the wonderful breakfast and the warm sunshine. My mind, on the other hand, is less content after scouring the database for reports on the Anunnaki, the ones I did eventually manage to find not being much use at all.
	*goto chap8_rn15
*elseif (approach = "ded")
	The morning drifts on, my body fully content after the wonderful breakfast and the warm sunshine. My mind, on the other hand, is less content after squinting over pages of tiny scrawled text about obscure myths that end up having no relevance to the Anunnaki at all.
	*goto chap8_rn15
*elseif (approach = "pep")
	The morning drifts on, my body fully content after the wonderful breakfast and the warm sunshine. My mind, on the other hand, is less content after trawling through report after report which end up having no relevance to the Anunnaki at all.
	*goto chap8_rn15
*else
	The morning drifts on, my body fully content after the wonderful breakfast and the warm sunshine. My mind, on the other hand, is less content after trawling through incident report after incident report which end up having no relevance to the Anunnaki at all.
	*goto chap8_rn15
*label chap8_rn15

I puff out a breath and place the book back onto the heap of others.

I'm not sure if ${nate} is doing any better, but ${n_she} certainly seems engrossed. I hug my knees to my chest as I smile at the sight of ${n_him}.

*if (n_man = "man")
	$!{n_his} long neck is arched over the pages, ${n_his} elegant fingers tracing the page down as ${n_she} reads, ${n_his} eyes glimmering as they scan and process the new information before ${n_him}.
	*goto chap8_rn10
*else
	$!{n_his} silky hair is swept over one shoulder, ${n_his} elegant fingers tracing the page down as ${n_she} reads, ${n_his} eyes glimmering as they scan and process the new information before ${n_him}.
	*goto chap8_rn10
*label chap8_rn10

It's a gentle, comfortable scene, as it always is with ${nate}. $!{n_she}'s unlike anyone I've ever met and draws emotions from me I didn't even know I had buried inside. There's no denying how attractive ${n_she} is, but there's so much more than that with ${n_him}. Something solid, and safe, and beautiful. A connection I can feel to my very soul.

And it hits me then….

*choice
	#…I love ${n_him}.
		*set nrealiselove "threeeight"
		I'm in love with ${n_him}.
		
		I'm in love with $!{nate} Sewell.
		
		The moment the realisation forms within me, my body seems to grow light, as though I might suddenly start floating with the amount of happiness surging through every single part of me.
		
		*if (ntogether = "true")
			A smile breaks through my stunned silence, a ridiculous kind of giddiness almost making me chuckle. My fingers tingle, my heart flutters, and my skin feels as though it's glowing.
			
			I must be a beacon of my feelings right now.
			
			$!{nate}'s brow creases as ${n_she} stares down at ${n_his} book, a visible shiver coursing through ${n_him}, and ${n_she} quickly snaps ${n_his} gaze up to me. "Is everything all right?"
			*goto chap8_rnrealiselchoice
		*else
			…So what happens now?
			
			I've avoided a relationship with ${n_him} so far, but now that I know how I really feel, how can I continue to deny it? Do I want to?
			
			$!{nate}'s brow creases as ${n_she} stares down at ${n_his} book, a visible shiver coursing through ${n_him}, and ${n_she} quickly snaps ${n_his} gaze up to me. "Is everything all right?"
			*goto chap8_rnrealiselchoice
	#I could happily sit here with ${n_him} forever.
		Although we're working, I could happily sit with ${nate}, well, forever. 
		
		Everything about ${n_him} is calm, collected, secure. It's as though we've found a perfect orbit around each other, and I never want to leave it.
		
		*if (ntogether = "true")
			*goto chap8_rnorbit
		*else
			[i]So why am I without ${n_him}?[/i]
			
			$!{n_she}'s certainly not held back in letting me know how ${n_she} feels. 
			
			A wash of uncertainty overcomes me. That happiness is almost within my reach, but I just can't seem to get past the barrier that's holding me back.
			
			[i]Maybe it's time?[/i]
			
			I frown and drop my gaze to my lap, letting out a sigh, a tingle of fear at the fringes of my mind.
			
			"Is everything all right?" ${nate} asks, glancing up from ${n_his} book with concern creasing ${n_his} brows together.
			
			I nod. "I hope it will be."
			
			$!{n_she} examines me closely for a moment, inching a little closer and setting an excited vibration buzzing through me. "Can I help?"
			
			A smile tugs at my lips, even as a strain pulls at my chest. "I don't know yet."
			
			$!{n_she} chuckles softly. "How very enigmatic. Well, I'm here if you decide I can."
			
			"Thanks," I mumble before turning my face back to my research.
			
			$!{nate} returns to ${n_his} work as well.
			*goto chap8_rnbook
		*label chap8_rnorbit
		I let out a contented sigh as I watch ${n_him}, a smile seeping onto my lips as ${nate} glances up from ${n_his} book to meet my gaze.
		
		"Are you all right?" ${n_she} asks. 
		
		"Definitely," I reply, my words almost sickly sing-song as happiness bubbles through every part of me.
		
		$!{n_she} inches a little closer, lounging on ${n_his} side against the picnic blanket so that ${n_his} hand almost brushes along my thigh. "I'm glad you're enjoying the thrill of research as much as I am."
		*goto chap8_rnthrill
	#I should really get back to work and stop gazing.
		I stare at ${n_him} a moment longer before glancing away with a shake of my head. It doesn't help clear my head as much as I'd hoped, my mind filled with the eagerness to move even closer to ${n_him}.

		If I look away from ${n_him}, my body almost begs me to look back, but if I catch ${n_his} gaze, then I know I'll be hypnotised.
		
		I can't seem to win!
		
		Blowing out a breath, I grab the nearest book and snap it open. It takes me a few moments to realise it's upside down.
		
		I turn it the right way up and do my best to focus on the words.
		*goto chap8_rnbook

*label chap8_rnthrill
*choice
	#Laugh softly. "The company really helps too."
		I breathe out a laugh, enjoying the way it sends a shiver through ${n_him}. "You know, the company really helps too."
		
		$!{n_his} fingers dance teasingly at the air beside my leg before ${n_she} glances up. "With the thrill?"
		
		*if ((bold >= 70)or(nbold >= 65))
			*if (n_man = "man")
				"Most definitely," I purr, reaching down to place my hand on ${n_his}.
				*goto chap8_rnlove2
			*else	
				"Most definitely," I purr, reaching down to place my hand on ${n_his}s.
				*goto chap8_rnlove2
		*elseif ((bold <= 30)or(nbold <= 35))
			I suck in a breath, trying to keep my mind from fogging up. "Yes…."
			*goto chap8_rnlove2
		*else
			My mind is on the edge of steaming up, so all I can reply is, "Yes…."
			*goto chap8_rnlove2
	#Almost close the gap. "It's definitely not the books that are thrilling me."
		I shuffle closer to ${n_him}, leaning down a little to better meet ${n_his} eyes. "It's definitely not the books that are thrilling me."
		
		When I reach out to trace my fingertips up ${n_his} arm, my smile widens at the shiver that passes through ${n_him}.
		*goto chap8_rnlove2
	#Glance at the almost touch and become distracted. "I, uh…Sorry, what did you say?"
		$!{n_his} fingertips dance teasingly next to my thigh, and I have trouble taking my gaze from it, my body whirling with the ache to have ${n_him} inch them closer.
		
		*if (n_man = "man")
			"I, uh…." Although I heard the dulcet tone of ${n_his} voice, I didn't actually seem to process ${n_his} words. I snap my gaze to ${n_his}. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
		
			$!{n_she} chuckles, the deep sound of it not helping with my focus. "I was just hoping you were thrilled by the research." $!{n_she} bites at ${n_his} lower lip. "Or by something else."
			*goto chap8_rnlove2
		*else
			"I, uh…." Although I heard the dulcet tone of ${n_his} voice, I didn't actually seem to process ${n_his} words. I snap my gaze to ${n_his}s. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
		
			$!{n_she} chuckles, the easy sound of it not helping with my focus. "I was just hoping you were thrilled by the research." $!{n_she} bites at ${n_his} lower lip. "Or by something else."
			*goto chap8_rnlove2
	#Smile. "How could it not? I love learning new things!"
		"How could it not?" I exclaim, an instant smile brightening my face. "I love learning new things."
		
		"Well, there's certainly a lot to be learnt about in the supernatural world," ${n_she} replies before sliding ${n_his} gaze up my body to meet my eyes.  An excited shiver traces the path ${n_his} gaze takes. "I, uh, guess we should probably get back to researching."
		
		The slight purr that caresses the edge of ${n_his} voice doesn't inspire a need for work.
		
		"I guess so…," I mumble, my voice softening as ${n_his} intense gaze pentrates mine. 
		*goto chap8_rnlove2
	#Chuckle. "Thrill and research aren't generally two words I put together."
		"I can't say the words 'thrill' and 'research' are words that I would normally put together," I admit with a small laugh.
		
		*if (deduction >= 75)
			"Really?" $!{n_his} brows flick up for a moment. "But you're so knowledgable on so much. I thought book-work would be something you must enjoy."
			
			*if (romance = "adamnate")
				"The acquirement of knowledge doesn't always come from dusty books." I pause and purse my lips. "Oh, I sounded just like ${adam} for a second then."
				
				The mention of ${adam} brings a sudden strike of hush to the moment. My heart beats a painful rhythm in my chest, and it's suddenly the only sound I can hear.
				
				$!{nate} sits back up with an attempted smile and drags ${n_his} book back onto ${n_his} lap. "We should probably get back to our research."
				
				"Yeah," I mumble. "Good idea."
				
				We return to our work in silence, but thankfully it's not long until the uneasy air dissolves, and ${nate}'s smile turns more genuine in my direction once more.
				*goto chap8_rnbook
			*else
				"The acquirement of knowledge doesn't always come from dusty books." I pause and purse my lips. "Oh, I sounded just like ${adam} for a second then."
				
				$!{nate} bursts with a laugh that brings an instant smile to my face. "Well, thankfully you have a lot ${a_she} doesn't."
				
				*if (bold >= 70)
					I angle myself closer, softening my voice. "Like what?"
					*goto chap8_rnalot
				*else
					"Like what?" I ask with my smile remaining in place.
					*goto chap8_rnalot
				*label chap8_rnalot
				
				$!{n_his} gaze slides up the length of my legs and body before meeting my eyes. An excited shiver traces the path ${n_his} gaze takes.
				
				"Many things that make you wholly and entirely appealing," $!{n_she} purrs.
				*goto chap8_rnlove2
		*elseif (bookperson = "yes")
			"Really?" $!{n_his} brows flick up for a moment. "It's just…I thought said you were a book person, so I assumed this would suit you well."
			
			"I'm more of a dive into a fictional story than get swamped in heavy facts kind of reader," I admit.
			
			$!{n_she} chuckles. "Ah, I understand."
			
			"Not that they don't hold their own excitement." I raise a brow at one of the tomes. "For some people."
			
			$!{n_she} licks at ${n_his} lips before turning ${n_his} gaze to me, letting ${n_his} focus slide up the length of my body before meeting my eyes. 
			
			An excited shiver traces the path ${n_his} gaze takes.
			
			"I admit, these books certainly don't hold as much excitement for me as your company does," ${n_she} admits through barely more than a whisper.
			*goto chap8_rnlove2
		*else
			"Well, you might be completely surprised one day. There's a lot of fascinating information to be gained from these." $!{n_she} carefully strokes the book beside ${n_him}.
			
			"As well as a whole mouthful of dust," I say, choking in emphasis as I pick up a book and a cloud of grey particles plumes into the air. 
			
			$!{n_she} licks at ${n_his} lips before turning ${n_his} gaze to me, letting ${n_his} focus slide up the length of my body before meeting my eyes. 
			
			An excited shiver traces the path ${n_his} gaze takes.
			
			"I admit, these books certainly don't hold as much excitement for me as your company does," ${n_she} admits through barely more than a whisper.
			*goto chap8_rnlove2
	#"A thrilling endeavour that we should probably get back to."
		*if (approach = "sci")
			I lift the laptop back onto my lap. "It's a thrilling endeavour we should probably get back to."
			*goto chap8_rndistract
		*elseif (approach = "ded")
			I lift one of the weighty books back onto my lap. "It's a thrilling endeavour we should probably get back to."
			*goto chap8_rndistract
		*else
			I lift the dusty files back onto my lap. "It's a thrilling endeavour we should probably get back to."
			*goto chap8_rndistract
		*label chap8_rndistract
		
		$!{nate} seems too distracted at the proximity of ${n_his} fingers almost skimming the outside of my thigh. It takes a second before ${n_she} glances up with a cough.
		
		"Of course. We won't learn much if we don't actually do the work." $!{n_she} lets out a chuckle after the words, but it's slightly more strained than usual.
		
		I try to ignore the way ${n_his} reaction sends a buzz of heat coursing through me and do my best to focus back on my task.
		*goto chap8_rnbook

*label chap8_rnrealiselchoice
*choice
	#Shake head to get control of self and nod. "I'm all good."
		I stare at ${n_him} a moment longer before glancing away with a shake of my head. It helps clear my thoughts but doesn't do much to help the swell of love overcoming me.
		
		"I'm all good," I croak out.
		
		$!{n_his} head tilts to one side as ${n_she} examines me. "Are you sure?"
		
		I nod, adding as much of a smile as I can to my expression. "I'm totally sure."
		
		$!{n_she} lifts a brow but doesn't press it. "Okay then."
		
		*if (approach = "sci")
			$!{nate} returns to ${n_his} books, and I yank my laptop back onto my thighs, staring at the screen. It takes me a moment to realise I've read the same sentence over and over at least ten times.
		
			I scroll down and do my best to focus on the words.
			*goto chap8_rnbook	
		*elseif (approach = "ded")
			We both get back to pouring over our books, but it takes me a few seconds to realise the one I just grabbed is upside down in my lap.
		
			I turn it the right way and do my best to focus on the words.
			*goto chap8_rnbook	
		*else
			We both get back to pouring over our books and files, but it takes me a few seconds to realise the one I just grabbed is upside down in my lap.
		
			I turn it the right way and do my best to focus on the words.
			*goto chap8_rnbook	
	#Blink. "…I think I'm in love with you. I [i]am[/i] in love with you."
		*set nconfesslove "threeeight"
		I blink a few times, unsure how to speak or move beneath the swell of affection overcoming me. In some ways, the realisation is so obvious, but in others it hits me out of nowhere.
		
		"$!{nate}, I…," my mouth is dry so I lick at my lips, "I think I'm in love with you."
		
		$!{n_his} gaze snaps up from ${n_his} book with widening eyes. "What did you just say?"
		
		"I, uh, I think I'm in love with you," I repeat, though saying it a second time aloud only speeds the hammering of my heart.
		
		I can see ${nate}'s chest rise and fall with suddenly heavy breaths, ${n_his} lips pursing to form words, but nothing coming out for a moment.
		
		"You think, or you know?" ${n_she} asks.
		
		From the way my entire being is magnetically drawn to ${n_him}, I can be pretty certain of my answer. 
		
		"I'm in love with you, $!{nate}." A smile once more catches my lips as the confession spills out of me, an excited buzzing vibrating through every limb and making me fidget.
		
		It's not until I notice the heavy silence from ${nate} that my happiness wanes towards concern.
		
		"Will you say something?" I plead. "Please?"
		*goto chap8_rnlove
	#Smile wide. "More than all right."
		Gazing into ${n_his} brown eyes, the gold-flecked depths of them glimmering with concern, brings another bright smile to my face.
		
		"More than all right," I admit, almost chuckling as the swell of affection wants to take over every part of me. 
		
		The worry instantly drains from ${n_him}, and ${n_she} now smiles in return. "Oh? I'm glad research can be quite so exciting for you."
		
		"It's not the research, but more the company," I say, my limbs almost shaking with the buzz that's vibrating through me.
		
		$!{n_she} lets out a light laugh and leans back a little. "I can agree with that statement. You certainly make this a much easier task." After another gentle smile in my direction, ${n_she} focuses once more on ${n_his} book.
		*choice
			#Be unable to hold back the confession. "I love you, $!{nate}."
				*set nconfesslove "threeeight"
				*goto chap8_rnblurtit
			#Bite at lip to calm self and get back to work as well.
				The admittance of my feelings tickles at the tip of my tongue, but I press it against the roof of my mouth to keep the words from spilling out of me.
				
				[i]Work. I should focus on work[/i]. So I force myself to stop gazing at the ${n_man} who's making me feel like I could walk on air and turn my focus back to my task, grabbing the first book to hand.
				
				It takes me a few seconds to realise the one I just grabbed is upside down in my lap.
		
				I turn it the right way with a puff of breath.
				*goto chap8_rnbook	
	*if (ntogether = "true") #Blurt out, "I love you."
		*set nconfesslove "threeeight"
		*goto chap8_rnblurtit
	*if (ntogether = "") #Blurt out, "I love you." [i]Begins relationship[/i].
		*set nconfesslove "threeeight"
		*set ntogetherwhen "threeeight"
		*goto chap8_rnblurtit
	#"$!{nate}, I love…." Decide against it, clear throat. "I love these pastries."
		The words tingle against my tongue, the feeling intensified by the buzzing that zips through my body, spurred on by the intense thumping of my heart.
		
		"$!{nate}, I love…." 
		
		$!{n_she} snaps ${n_his} gaze up, and I can see ${n_his} chest has stopped moving. Anticipation pings between us.
		
		I drop my gaze as the intensity almost suffocates me.
		
		"…I just love these pastries," I fumble, picking up one of the delicate desserts and biting into it to stop me from saying anything else.
		
		$!{nate} shudders out a breath. "Oh, well…good. I'm glad." Disappointment traces every word, even if ${n_she}'s trying to smile, so I take another mouthful to stem the sting which bursts inside my chest.
		
		The anticipation from before quickly moves to a pervading silence.
		
		So we both get back to work and ignore it.
		*goto chap8_rnbook	
	#Nod and look away. "Yes. I just realised something is all."
		I give a nod to ${n_his} question, turning away before I admit what's bubbling up inside of me. "Yes, everything is fine. I just realised something is all."
		
		"Did you find something about the Anunnaki?" ${n_she} asks, craning ${n_his} head forward to see my research.
		
		I shake my head. "No, not about that…."
		
		$!{n_his} gaze slides up to mine, ${n_his} brows arching a little in questioning.
		
		"Well, I…," I begin before clearing my throat. "I'm sure it won't be long until we do find something." I hunch myself back over my work.
		
		$!{nate} examines me for a moment longer before returning to ${n_his} own task, and I finally let out the breath I'd been holding.
		*goto chap8_rnbook

*label chap8_rnblurtit
I chew at my lip to hold back the words, clenching my fists in my lap, trying to drag my gaze away from ${n_him}.
				
But it's no use.

My whole body is about to explode if I don't tell ${n_him}.

"I love you, $!{nate}!" The words spill out of me in a jumbled mess.

$!{n_she} lifts ${n_his} head back up from ${n_his} book with widening eyes. "What?"

Slight hesitation grips at me, but I push through it. "I love you." A smile once more catches my lips as the confession spills out of me again, an excited buzzing vibrating through every limb and making me fidget.

It's not until I notice the heavy silence from ${nate} that my happiness wanes towards concern.

"Will you say something?" I plead. "Please?"
*goto chap8_rnlove

*label chap8_rnlove

The quiet persists between us once again, but this time it presses down on me—heavy and hot against my skin—${nate}'s gaze not shifting from mine for even a second.
*goto chap8_rnlove3

*label chap8_rnbook
*page_break
A further hour passes, but the distraction of ${nate} close by makes research increasingly difficult.

I don't think I've ever been around someone who draws me in so magnetically. My thoughts, my body, my mind…all of me is focused on ${n_him} when ${n_she}'s around.

In one way it's slightly bothersome as I can't focus on what I'm doing, but mostly it's just wholly thrilling. Magical, almost.

I chuckle softly at my own description and how well it fits a vampire.

*if (callme = "Detective")
	"You're distracting enough without hearing that wonderful laugh of yours, $!{name}," ${nate} remarks, glancing up with a teasing smile which has a lump catching in my throat.
	*goto chap8_rnbook2
*else
	"You're distracting enough without hearing that wonderful laugh of yours, $!{callme}," ${nate} remarks, glancing up with a teasing smile which has a lump catching in my throat.
	*goto chap8_rnbook2
*label chap8_rnbook2

"Interestingly enough, I was just thinking how distracting you are," I admit with a smile of my own I can't keep hidden.

$!{n_she} breathes out a low breath and smooths out the pages spread in ${n_his} lap. "Then how are we to deal with such a problem? I can't concentrate when you're around." $!{n_she} slides ${n_his} body closer.

*if ((bold >= 70)or(nbold >= 65))
	*if (n_man = "man")
		I shift myself to almost meet ${n_his}. "And it's impossible for me to even think about work when you're here."
		*goto chap8_rnbook4
	*else
		I shift myself to almost meet ${n_his}s. "And it's impossible for me to even think about work when you're here."
		*goto chap8_rnbook4
*else
	I ease myself closer while trying to speak past how dry my mouth has suddenly become. "It's getting kind of impossible to work with you around."
	*goto chap8_rnbook4
*label chap8_rnbook4

"Then I suppose we could just work in seperate areas," ${n_she} suggests, and a hollowness pits in my stomach at the thought. "Or…."

I watch ${n_his} lips part temptingly around the word. "Or?"

$!{n_his} gaze sinks into mine, and blood rushes through my ears. "We could deal with the source of the distraction."
*goto chap8_rnlove2

*label chap8_rnlove2

A statically-charged quiet crackles between us. It presses down on me—heavy and hot against my skin—${nate}'s gaze not shifting from mine for even a second.
*goto chap8_rnlove3

*label chap8_rnlove3

I can't remember if I'm breathing or not. It doesn't matter. Only ${n_his} focus on mine does.

The heat in the air prickles against me, the atmosphere bubbling at the edge of eruption, a swell of longing throbbing through me to the very tips of my fingers.

*choice
	*if (ntogether = "true") #Let the moment [i]seriously[/i] boil over and kiss ${n_him}.
		*set nkisswhat "bold"
		*goto chap8_rnboldkiss
	*if (ntogether = "") #Let the moment [i]seriously[/i] boil over and kiss ${n_him}. [i]Begins relationship[/i].
		*set nkisswhat "bold"
		*set ntogether "true"
		*set ntogetherwhen "threeeight"
		*goto chap8_rnboldkiss
	*if (ntogether = "true") #Let the moment [i]seriously[/i] boil over and be kissed.
		*set nkisswhat "nbold"
		*goto chap8_rnnkiss
	*if (ntogether = "") #Let the moment [i]seriously[/i] boil over and be kissed. [i]Begins relationship[/i].
		*set nkisswhat "nbold"
		*set ntogether "true"
		*set ntogetherwhen "threeeight"
		*goto chap8_rnnkiss
	*if (ntogether = "true") #Smile and take a breather. "Maybe we could slow things down?"
		*set nsexthreeeight "slowdown"
		*goto chap8_rnbreather2
	#Force gaze away and blow out a breath to clear some heat. 
		I'm about to ignite from the way ${nate} gazes at me, but I manage to force my focus away so as I can suck in a cooling breath.
		
		"Have you, uh, have you found anything about the Anunnaki?" I croak out, my mouth parched and my throat even drier.
		
		*if (n_man = "man")
			It seems to take ${nate} a moment to cool off as well. $!{n_she} rubs down the length of ${n_his} neck before shaking ${n_his} head.
			
			"Nothing of any real significance. You?"
			
			I slump, scanning the array of files and books about us. All of apparently no use. "Nope."
			*goto chap8_rndiscovery
		*else
			It seems to take ${nate} a moment to cool off as well. $!{n_she} throws back a few loose waves of hair over ${n_his} shoulder before shaking ${n_his} head.
			
			"Nothing of any real significance. You?"
			
			I slump, scanning the array of files and books about us. All of apparently no use. "Nope."
			*goto chap8_rndiscovery

*label chap8_rnnkiss
*set bold %-6
*set nbold %-6
*if ((gender = "male")and(n_man = "woman"))
	$!{nate} swipes the book from ${n_his} lap as ${n_she} lunges towards me, wrapping ${n_his} arms around my neck to claim our needful kiss.
	*goto chap8_rnnkiss2
*elseif (gender = "female")
	$!{nate} swipes the book from ${n_his} lap as ${n_she} lunges towards me, wrapping ${n_his} arms around my waist to claim our needful kiss.
	*goto chap8_rnnkiss2
*else
	$!{nate} swipes the book from ${n_his} lap as ${n_she} lunges towards me, wrapping ${n_his} arms around me to claim our needful kiss.
	*goto chap8_rnnkiss2
*label chap8_rnnkiss2	

*if (natefirstkiss = "")
	*set natefirstkiss "threeeight"
	And it's cosmic.
	
	It stirs every nerve, every emotion, every thought, and every feeling I could possibly have inside of me.
	
	One half of me burns like it's ravaged by a fire that I want to let consume me, and the other half is so at peace that I could melt into ${n_his} embrace forever and never let go.

	I've heard of experiencing fireworks, but this feels like it's shot me straight to the moon.
	*goto chap8_rnnkissit
*else
	*goto chap8_rnnkissit
	
*label chap8_rnnkissit

The desperation to feel ${n_him} completely against me has me moaning against ${n_his} lips, clasping at ${n_his} shirt to drag ${n_him} closer until we topple over. $!{n_his} weight presses along the length of my body as ${n_she} rests against me. My head tips back as ${n_his} lips move to my collarbone and suck at the sensitive skin, hoping to give ${n_him} further access.

A breath of disappointment leaves me as ${n_she} draws back, drawing in a lungful of air of ${n_his} own.

*if ((mc_haircut = "bald")or(mc_haircut = "very short"))
	$!{n_she} gazes down at me with a smile, ${n_his} lips slightly swollen and all the more inviting. $!{n_she} then reaches out to brush ${n_his} fingers down my cheek.
	*goto chap8_rnyousure
*elseif (mc_haircut = "short")
	$!{n_she} gazes down at me with a smile, ${n_his} lips slightly swollen and all the more inviting. $!{n_she} then reaches out to brush a lock of hair back from my forehead.
	*goto chap8_rnyousure
*elseif (mc_haircut = "long coiled")
	$!{n_she} gazes down at me with a smile, ${n_his} lips slightly swollen and all the more inviting. $!{n_she} then reaches out to brush ${n_his} fingers down my cheek.
	*goto chap8_rnyousure
*else
	$!{n_she} gazes down at me with a smile, ${n_his} lips slightly swollen and all the more inviting. $!{n_she} then reaches out to brush a lock of hair back from my forehead and curl it behind my ear.
	*goto chap8_rnyousure

*label chap8_rnboldkiss
*set bold %+6
*set nbold %+6
*if (approach = "sci")
	*if (n_man = "woman")
		I practically throw the laptop from my lap in my eagerness, reaching out to wrap my arms around ${n_his} waist and claim our needful kiss.
		*goto chap8_rnboldkiss2
	*else
		I practically throw the laptop from my lap in my eagerness, lunging towards ${n_him} and wrapping my arms around ${n_his} neck to claim our needful kiss.
		*goto chap8_rnboldkiss2
*elseif (approach = "ded")
	*if (n_man = "woman")
		I practically throw the book from my lap in my eagerness, reaching out to wrap my arms around ${n_his} waist and claim our needful kiss.
		*goto chap8_rnboldkiss2
	*else
		I practically throw the book from my lap in my eagerness, lunging towards ${n_him} and wrapping my arms around ${n_his} neck to claim our needful kiss.
		*goto chap8_rnboldkiss2
*else
	*if (n_man = "woman")
		I practically throw the files from my lap in my eagerness, reaching out to wrap my arms around ${n_his} waist and claim our needful kiss.
		*goto chap8_rnboldkiss2
	*else
		I practically throw the files from my lap in my eagerness, lunging towards ${n_him} and wrapping my arms around ${n_his} neck to claim our needful kiss.
		*goto chap8_rnboldkiss2
		
*label chap8_rnboldkiss2	

*if (natefirstkiss = "")
	*set natefirstkiss "threeeight"
	And it's cosmic.
	
	It stirs every nerve, every emotion, every thought, and every feeling I could possibly have inside of me.
	
	One half of me burns like it's ravaged by a fire that I want to let consume me, and the other half is so at peace that I could melt into ${n_his} embrace forever and never let go.

	I've heard of experiencing fireworks, but this feels like it's shot me straight to the moon.
	*goto chap8_rnnkissit
*else
	*goto chap8_rnboldkiss3
*label chap8_rnboldkiss3
	
The desperation to feel ${n_him} completely against me has me moaning against ${n_his} lips, pressing against ${n_his} shoulders until we topple over. My weight presses along the length of ${n_his} body beneath mine. When I move my lips to caress the skin of ${n_his} neck, ${n_she} eagerly tips ${n_his} head back to allow me further access.

A breath of disappointment leaves me as ${n_she} pushes me back with a hand, drawing in a lungful of air of ${n_his} own.

*if ((mc_haircut = "bald")or(mc_haircut = "very short"))
	$!{n_she} gazes up at me with a smile, ${n_his} lips slightly swollen and all the more inviting. $!{n_she} then reaches out to brush ${n_his} fingers down my cheek.
	*goto chap8_rnyousure
*elseif (mc_haircut = "short")
	$!{n_she} gazes up at me with a smile, ${n_his} lips slightly swollen and all the more inviting. $!{n_she} then reaches out to brush a lock of hair back from my forehead.
	*goto chap8_rnyousure
*elseif (mc_haircut = "long coiled")
	$!{n_she} gazes up at me with a smile, ${n_his} lips slightly swollen and all the more inviting. $!{n_she} then reaches out to brush ${n_his} fingers down my cheek.
	*goto chap8_rnyousure
*else
	$!{n_she} gazes up at me with a smile, ${n_his} lips slightly swollen and all the more inviting. $!{n_she} then reaches out to brush a lock of hair back from my forehead and curl it behind my ear.
	*goto chap8_rnyousure		

*label chap8_rnyousure

"Are you sure about this?" ${n_she} asks, ${n_his} voice husky but ${n_his} words steady and sure.

*choice
	#Take the initiative. "Very sure." [i]Fade to black[/i].
		*set bold %+10
		*set nsexthreeeight "truebold"
		*if (nkisswhat = "nbold")
			*if (n_man = "man")
				"Very sure," I state without hesitation, capturing ${n_his} lips with mine once again. I roll us over to slide my body onto ${n_his}, the warm pressure of ${n_him} beneath me already setting my body alight.
				
				And I set to teasing ${n_him} until ${n_his} moans fill the space
				
				…
				
				…
				
				"Oh, $!{callme}!"
				
				My triumph of ${n_his} call means I shift suddenly, the motion sending a bunch of stacked books toppling down from their precariously balanced tower. 
				*goto chap8_rnaftersex
			*else
				"Very sure," I state without hesitation, capturing ${n_his} lips with mine once again. I roll us over to slide my body onto ${n_his}s, the warm pressure of ${n_him} beneath me already setting my body alight.
				
				And I set to teasing ${n_him} until ${n_his} moans fill the space
				
				…
				
				…
				
				"Oh, $!{callme}!"
				
				My triumph of ${n_his} call means I shift suddenly, the motion sending a bunch of stacked books toppling down from their precariously balanced tower. 
				*goto chap8_rnaftersex
		*else
			*if (n_man = "man")
				"Very sure," I state without hesitation, capturing ${n_his} lips with mine once again. My body slides onto ${n_his} again to push ${n_him} back onto the picnic blanket, the warm pressure of ${n_him} beneath me already setting my body alight.
				
				As I focus on teasing ${n_him}, enjoying ${n_his} gasps, my motion manages to send a bunch of stacked books toppling down from their precariously balanced tower. 
				*goto chap8_rnaftersex
			*else
				"Very sure," I state without hesitation, capturing ${n_his} lips with mine once again. My body slides onto ${n_his}s again to push ${n_him} back onto the picnic blanket, the warm pressure of ${n_him} beneath me already setting my body alight.
				
				As I focus on teasing ${n_him}, enjoying ${n_his} gasps, my motion manages to send a bunch of stacked books toppling down from their precariously balanced tower. 
				*goto chap8_rnaftersex
	#Take the initiative. "Very sure." [i]Detailed intimate scene[/i].
		*set bold %+10
		*set nsexthreeeight "truebold"
		*goto chap8_rnxbold
	#Smile. "Yes. I really am." Let ${nate} take initiative. [i]Fade to black[/i].
		*set bold %-10
		*set nsexthreeeight "trueshy"
		*if (nkisswhat = "nbold")
			*if (n_man = "man")
				"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his} once again. $!{n_she} rests the length of ${n_his} body against mine again, the warm pressure of ${n_him} already setting my body alight.
				
				$!{nate}'s skillful mouth soon sets to work.
				
				…
				
				…
				
				"…$!{nate}!" My arms fling out to the sides as I gasp ${n_his} name, sending a bunch of stacked books toppling down from their precariously balanced tower. 
				*goto chap8_rnaftersex
			*else
				"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his}s once again. $!{n_she} rests the length of ${n_his} my body against mine again, the warm pressure of ${n_him} already setting my body alight.
				
				But due to ${nate}'s skillful mouth, my arms fling out to the sides, sending a bunch of stacked books toppling down from their precariously balanced tower. 
				*goto chap8_rnaftersex
		*else
			*if (n_man = "man")
				"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his} once again. $!{n_she} rolls us over and slides on top of me, the warm pressure of ${n_him} already setting my body alight.
				
				$!{nate}'s skillful mouth soon sets to work.
				
				…
				
				…
				
				"…$!{nate}!" My arms fling out to the sides as I gasp ${n_his} name, sending a bunch of stacked books toppling down from their precariously balanced tower. 
				*goto chap8_rnaftersex
			*else
				"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his}s once again. $!{n_she} rolls us over and slides on top of me, the warm pressure of ${n_him} already setting my body alight.
				
				But due to ${nate}'s skillful mouth, my arms fling out to the sides, sending a bunch of stacked books toppling down from their precariously balanced tower. 
				*goto chap8_rnaftersex
	#Smile. "Yes, I really am." Let ${nate} take initiative. [i]Detailed intimate scene[/i].
		*set bold %-10
		*set nsexthreeeight "trueshy"
		*goto chap8_rnxnot
	#Take a breather. "Yeah, maybe we should stop and slow things down."
		*set nsexthreeeight "slowdown"
		*goto chap8_rnbreather
		
*label chap8_rnaftersex

The mountain of knowledge tumbles to the ground around us in a spread of old paper and clouds of dust.

We stare at the papery mess.

*if (nkisswhat = "nbold")
	I prop up onto my elbows. "Sorry."
	*goto chap8_rnaftersex2
*else
	I roll off of ${n_him} while chewing at my lip. "Sorry."
	*goto chap8_rnaftersex2
*label chap8_rnaftersex2

"No worries," ${n_she} replies, but I notice the slight wince ${n_she} makes at one of the crumpled pages.

We begin to push the books to one side, piling them into small piles so it doesn't happen again, when my eye catches a familiar picture. I drag the book closer to smooth out the page.
*goto chap8_rndiscovery3

*label chap8_rnxnot
*if (nkisswhat = "nbold")
	*if (n_man = "man")
		*if (gender = "female")
			"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his} once again. $!{n_she} rests ${n_his} body along the length of mine again as I spread my legs to allow ${n_him} fully on top. The warm pressure of ${n_him} between my thighs already sets my body alight.
			*goto chap8_rnxnot2
		*else
			"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his} once again. $!{n_she} rests ${n_his} body along the length of mine again as I spread my legs to allow ${n_him} fully on top. The warm pressure of ${n_him} against my hips already sets my body alight.
			*goto chap8_rnxnot2
	*else
		*if (gender = "female")
			"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his}s once again. $!{n_she} rests ${n_his} body along the length of mine again as I spread my legs to allow ${n_him} fully on top. The warm pressure of ${n_him} already sets my body alight.
			*goto chap8_rnxnot2
		*else
			"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his}s once again. $!{n_she} rests ${n_his} body along the length of mine again as I spread my legs to allow ${n_him} fully on top. The warm pressure of ${n_him} already sets my body alight.
			*goto chap8_rnxnot2
*else
	*if (n_man = "man")
		*if (gender = "female")
			"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his} once again. $!{n_she} rolls us over and slides up my body, so I spread my legs around ${n_him} to allow ${n_him} fully on top. The warm pressure of ${n_him} between my thighs already sets my body alight.
			*goto chap8_rnxnot2
		*else
			"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his} once again. $!{n_she} rolls us over and slides up my body, so I spread my legs around ${n_him} to allow ${n_him} fully on top. The warm pressure of ${n_him} against my hips already sets my body alight.
			*goto chap8_rnxnot2
	*else
		*if (gender = "female")
			"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his}s once again. $!{n_she} rolls us over and slides up my body, so I spread my legs to allow ${n_him} fully on top. The warm pressure of ${n_him} already sets my body alight.
			*goto chap8_rnxnot2
		*else
			"Yes. I really am," I reply without hesitation, smiling as ${n_she} moves to capture my lips with ${n_his}s once again. $!{n_she} rolls us over and slides up my body, so I spread my legs to allow ${n_him} fully on top. The warm pressure of ${n_him} already sets my body alight.
			*goto chap8_rnxnot2

*label chap8_rnxnot2

When ${n_she} grinds ${n_his} hips into mine with one long, smooth stroke, I almost lose my breath completely, the low growled moan ${n_she} releases sending a tremble coursing through me.

$!{n_she} meets my eye for a second, and neither of us can wait.

*if ((clothes = "casual")or(clothes = "practical"))
	My hands fly down to the fastening of ${n_his} jeans, my fingers fumbling as ${n_his} own fingers trail beneath my t-shirt in order to tug it up.
	*goto chap8_rnxnot3
*elseif (clothes = "subduedm")
	My hands fly down to the fastening of ${n_his} jeans, my fingers fumbling as ${n_his} own fingers trail beneath my hoodie in order to tug it up.
	*goto chap8_rnxnot3
*elseif (clothes = "subdued")
	My hands fly down to the fastening of ${n_his} jeans, my fingers fumbling as ${n_his} own fingers deftly work at the buttons of my waistcoat.
	*goto chap8_rnxnot3
*elseif (clothes = "cheery")
	My hands fly down to the fastening of ${n_his} jeans, my fingers fumbling as ${n_his} own fingers brush my thighs in order to tug my dress upwards.
	*goto chap8_rnxnot3
*elseif (clothes = "cheerym")
	My hands fly down to the fastening of ${n_his} jeans, my fingers fumbling as ${n_his} own fingers trail beneath my jacket in order to tug it off my shoulders.
	*goto chap8_rnxnot3
*else
	My hands fly down to the fastening of ${n_his} jeans, my fingers fumbling as ${n_his} own fingers deftly work at the buttons of my shirt.
	*goto chap8_rnxnot3
	
*label chap8_rnxnot3

*if (gender = "female")
	As I just manage to undo ${n_his} zipper, ${n_his} hands leave their task to cup my breasts, ${n_his} thumbs grazing my nipples through my bra. 
	
	I arch into the motion with a gasp.
	
	$!{n_she} takes advantage of my exposed position to kiss a trail across my stomach, coaxing my hips to buck higher as ${n_she} travels lower, tasting every inch of my skin with exploring flicks of ${n_his} tongue.
	
	When ${n_she} runs a firm thumb over my panties, grazing across my already throbbing pleasure point, I all but explode right then.
	*goto chap8_rnxnot5
*elseif (gender = "male")
	As I just manage to undo ${n_his} zipper, ${n_she} takes advantage of my distraction to kiss a trail across my stomach, coaxing my hips to thrust higher as ${n_she} travels lower, tasting every inch of my skin with exploring flicks of ${n_his} tongue.
	
	When ${n_she} runs a cupped palm over my rigid member beneath my clothes, grazing across my already throbbing tip, I all but explode right then.
	*goto chap8_rnxnot5
*else
	As I just manage to undo ${n_his} zipper, ${n_she} takes advantage of my distraction to kiss a trail across my stomach, coaxing my hips to thrust higher as ${n_she} travels lower, tasting every inch of my skin with exploring flicks of ${n_his} tongue.
	
	When ${n_she} runs a firm hand between my legs, the area already throbbing with anticipation, I all but explode right then.
	*goto chap8_rnxnot5

*label chap8_rnxnot5

"Not yet…," ${n_she} mumbles the sultry order as ${n_she} continues ${n_his} way down, tugging away my clothing and underwear. 

*if (gender = "female")
	$!{n_his} lips kiss between the centre of my legs, lapping at the wetness there, sending a jolt of thrill into my stomach. My moan this time is loud enough to send the birds skittering from the oak tree, and I bite at my finger to temper my noise.

	My hips thrust into the pleasure ${n_she} offers, and ${n_she} is more than willing to keep providing. Each lick, each suckle, each kiss drives my body into a frenzy.
	
	With each skillful curl of ${n_his} tongue, I sink deeper into the euphoria as a blissful buzz builds at my core, my body responding in a way it never has to anyone else.
	
	I look down to find ${n_him} watching me. $!{n_his} eyes have darkened with a lust that finally drives me over the edge.
	
	$!{n_his} fingers grip my thighs to hold me in place as pleasure erupts through me.
	*goto chap8_ncloudnine
*elseif (gender = "male")
	$!{n_his} lips kiss the top of my shaft before sliding over it, sending a jolt of thrill into my stomach. My moan this time is loud enough to send the birds skittering from the oak tree, and I bite at my finger to temper my noise. 

	My hips thrust into the pleasure ${n_she} offers, and ${n_she} is more than willing to keep providing. Each lick, each suck, each kiss drives my body into a frenzy.
	
	With each skillful motion of ${n_his} tongue, I sink deeper into the euphoria as a blissful buzz builds at my core, my body responding in a way it never has to anyone else.
	
	I look down to find ${n_him} watching me. $!{n_his} eyes have darkened with a lust that finally drives me over the edge.
	
	$!{n_his} fingers grip at me to hold me in place as pleasure erupts through me.
	*goto chap8_ncloudnine
*else
	$!{n_his} lips kiss between my legs, sending a jolt of thrill into my stomach. My moan this time is loud enough to send the birds skittering from the oak tree, and I bite at my finger to temper my noise. 

	My hips thrust into the pleasure ${n_she} offers, and ${n_she} is more than willing to keep providing. Each lick, each suck, each kiss drives my body into a frenzy.
	
	With each skillful motion of ${n_his} tongue, I sink deeper into the euphoria as a blissful buzz builds at my core.
	
	I look down to find ${n_him} watching me. $!{n_his} eyes have darkened with a lust that finally drives me over the edge.
	
	$!{n_his} fingers grip at me to hold me in place as pleasure erupts through me.
	*goto chap8_ncloudnine
*label chap8_ncloudnine	
*page_break
For a few seconds, I think I might have catapulted into the clouds above, until ${nate}'s husky voice brings me back.
	
"Feel better?" ${n_she} asks with a tone of pride that would have been annoying from anyone else. 
	
But ${n_she} has a lot to be proud about.
	
My breathing is still ragged, but I smile down at ${n_him} as ${n_she} rests ${n_his} head on my stomach. "That's a real understatement."

I make to prop myself up onto my elbows, my slightly off-kilter motion sending a stack of books crashing down as I do.
	
The mountain of knowledge tumbles to the ground around us in a spread of old paper and clouds of dust.

We both flinch.

I sit up onto my elbows with a sheepish smile. "Sorry."

$!{n_she} chuckles, climbing back up my body in order to kiss gently across my collarbone. "Books are the last thing on my mind right now."

I let out a small chuckle, thankful for the breather in order to at least get some of my overstimulated senses back under control. 
*goto chap8_rndiscovery
	
*label chap8_rnxbold
*if (nkisswhat = "nbold")
	*if (n_man = "man")
		"Very sure," I state without hesitation, capturing ${n_his} lips with mine once again. I roll us over and slide my body onto ${n_his}. $!{n_she} spreads ${n_his} legs to allow me on top completely, the warm pressure of ${n_him} beneath me already setting my body alight.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold2
	*else
		"Very sure," I state without hesitation, capturing ${n_his} lips with mine once again. I roll us over and slide my body onto ${n_his}s. $!{n_she} spreads ${n_his} legs around me to allow me on top completely, the warm pressure of ${n_him} beneath me already setting my body alight.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold2
*else
	*if (n_man = "man")
		"Very sure," I state without hesitation, capturing ${n_his} lips with mine once again. My body slides onto ${n_his} again to push ${n_him} back onto the picnic blanket. $!{n_she} spreads ${n_his} legs to allow me on top completely, the warm pressure of ${n_him} beneath me already setting my body alight.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold2
	*else
		"Very sure," I state without hesitation, capturing ${n_his} lips with mine once again. My body slides onto ${n_his}s again to push ${n_him} back onto the picnic blanket. $!{n_she} spreads ${n_his} legs around me to allow me on top completely, the warm pressure of ${n_him} beneath me already setting my body alight.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold2
*label chap8_rnxbold2

*if (n_man = "man")	
	When I grind my hips against ${n_his} in a long, slow stroke, ${n_his} breath stutters, ${n_his} eyes squeezing shut for a moment.
	
	$!{n_she} flicks them back open to meet my eye, and neither of us can wait any longer.
	*goto chap8_rnxbold3
*else	
	When I grind my hips against ${n_his}s in a long, slow stroke, ${n_his} breath stutters, ${n_his} eyes falling closed for a moment.
	
	$!{n_she} flutters them back open to meet my eye, and neither of us can wait any longer.
	*goto chap8_rnxbold3
*label chap8_rnxbold3	

*if ((clothes = "casual")or(clothes = "modern"))
	*if (n_man = "man")
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the fastening of my jeans, deftly pinging open the button, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} sculpted hips and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4
	*else
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the fastening of my jeans, deftly pinging open the button, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} slender curves and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4
*elseif (clothes = "cheery")
	*if (n_man = "man")
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the hem of my dress, deftly gliding it upwards, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} sculpted hips and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4
	*else
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the hem of my dress, deftly gliding it upwards, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} sculpted hips and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4
*elseif (clothes = "cheerym")
	*if (n_man = "man")
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the fastening of my shorts, deftly pinging open the button, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} sculpted hips and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4
	*else
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the fastening of my shorts, deftly pinging open the button, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} slender curves and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4
*elseif (clothes = "stylish")
	*if (n_man = "man")
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the hem of my skirt, deftly gliding it upwards, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} sculpted hips and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4
	*else
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the hem of my skirt, deftly gliding it upwards, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} slender curves and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4
*else
	*if (n_man = "man")
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the fastening of my trousers, deftly pinging open the button, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} sculpted hips and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4
	*else
		$!{n_his} hands fly down to the fastening of my trousers, deftly pinging open the button, as I work at tugging up ${n_his} t-shirt to expose ${n_his} slender curves and stomach.
		*goto chap8_rnxbold4	
	
*label chap8_rnxbold4

*if (n_man = "woman")
	But ${n_his} task is halted as I instead move my hands to cup her breasts, my thumbs grazing her nipples through her bra. 
	
	$!{n_she} arches into the gesture with a quiet growl.
	
	I instantly take advantage of the exposed position to kiss a trail down her stomach, her body rocking closer as I go, tasting every inch of her skin with exploring flicks of my tongue.
	
	When I run a firm hand into her jeans and across her panties, grazing across her already wet pleasure point, her growl explodes into a moan.
	*goto chap8_rnbold5
*else
	But ${n_his} task is halted as I instead move to kiss a trail down his stomach. 
	
	$!{n_she} bucks ${n_his} hips into the gesture with a quiet throaty rumble.
	
	I instantly take advantage of the motion to continue my slow path downwards, his body rocking closer as I go, tasting every inch of his skin with exploring flicks of my tongue.
	
	When I run a firm hand into his jeans and across his already hard member, grazing across the throbbing tip, his rumble explodes into a growl.
	*goto chap8_rnbold5

*label chap8_rnbold5

*if (n_man = "woman")
	With unabashedly eager motions, I tug down the thick denim and kiss between the centre of her legs, lapping at the wetness there, making her gasp out a delicious moan. 
	
	Her hips thrust into the pleasure I offer, and I'm more than willing to keep providing. Each lick, each suckle, each kiss seems to drive her further into a frenzy.
	
	Her body tenses and relaxes, responding to each curl of my tongue.
	
	I look up to find ${n_him} watching me. $!{n_his} eyes have darkened with a lust that only makes me want to see more.
	
	I speed up.
	
	$!{n_his} fingers clutch at the blanket, almost tearing the fabric, as her body arches into climax.
	*goto chap8_ncloudnine2
*else
	With unabashedly eager motions, I tug down the thick denim so that I can kiss between the tip of ${n_his} long shaft before slipping my lips over it. The movement has him exhaling a delicious groan. 
	
	His hips thrust into the pleasure I offer, and I'm more than willing to keep providing. Each lick, each suckle, each kiss seems to drive him further into a frenzy.
	
	His body tenses and relaxes, responding to each stroke of my mouth.
	
	I look up to find ${n_him} watching me. $!{n_his} eyes have darkened with a lust that only makes me want to see more.
	
	I speed up.
	
	$!{n_his} fingers clutch at the blanket, almost tearing the fabric, as his body arches into climax.
	*goto chap8_ncloudnine2

*label chap8_ncloudnine2
*page_break
For a few seconds, there's nothing but the sound of ${nate}'s raspy breathing, so I rest my head on ${n_his} stomach with a smile. 

"You okay?" I ask.
	
"'Okay' doesn't nearly suffice in this particular situation," ${n_she} replies through a husky voice.

We both laugh.

$!{n_she} makes to prop ${n_him}self up onto ${n_his} elbows, but the slightly off-kilter motion sends a stack of books crashing down.
	
The mountain of knowledge tumbles to the ground around us in a spread of old paper and clouds of dust.

We both flinch.

$!{n_she} winces at the mess. "Ah dear."

I let out a light laugh, crawling back up ${n_his} body to plant a gentle kiss on ${n_his} neck. "We'll clear them up before continuing."

$!{n_she} runs ${n_his} hands through ${n_his} hair with a lazy smile. "So we can make another kind of mess?"

"Exactly," I reply with a wink.
*goto chap8_rndiscovery

*label chap8_rnbreather

I smile at ${n_him}, the broken moment allowing me a second to take a breath and clear my head from the steam. "Maybe we could slow things down?"
		
"Happily," ${nate} replies, easing back, but thankfully not too far.

*if (ntogether = "")
	*set ntogether "true"
	*if (n_man = "man")
		It seems impossible to deny our feelings at this point, and I'm glad for it. With a slight hesitation, I link my fingers into ${n_his} on the picnic blanket, the softness of them comforting against my own.
		*goto chap8_breathnhers
	*else
		It seems impossible to deny our feelings at this point, and I'm glad for it. With a slight hesitation, I link my fingers into ${n_his}s on the picnic blanket, the softness of them comforting against my own.
		*goto chap8_breathnhers
	*label chap8_breathnhers
	
	$!{n_she} doesn't draw back, only smiles wider. "I've been waiting for this for a long time. You and me."
	
	"I thought I'd feel more nervous about this, but…," I let out a breath, "I just feel happy." I pause. "So what now?"
	*goto chap8_rnbreather4
*else
	*goto chap8_rnbreather2
		
*label chap8_rnbreather2
*if (n_man = "man")
	I link my fingers into ${n_his} on the picnic blanket, the softness of them comforting against my own. "So now what?"
	*goto chap8_rnbreather4
*else
	I link my fingers into ${n_his}s on the picnic blanket, the softness of them comforting against my own. "So now what?"
	*goto chap8_rnbreather4

*label chap8_rnbreather4

"It's a lovely day, and I think we deserve a break from work for a while." $!{n_she} flops back onto the picnic blanket, raising an arm behind ${n_his} head to rest beneath it. "How about we just enjoy the peace together for a while?"

"A wonderful idea, Agent Sewell," I state, giving a light laugh as I lay myself down beside ${n_him}.

*choice
	#Rest head against ${n_his} shoulder.
		"I'm most glad you think so, Detective $!{surname}," ${n_she} replies, wrapping ${n_his} free arm about my shoulders as I shift closer to rest my head on ${n_his} shoulder.
		
		I reach an arm up towards the turquoise blue sky, pointing at one of the few puffy white clouds. "$!{felix} will be disappointed. That one looks just like a unicorn."
		
		$!{nate} narrows ${n_his} eyes while tilting ${n_his} head. "I wouldn't say just like one, but I can see what you mean."
		
		"Of course it's just like one." I trace my finger in the air as though sketching an outline of the obviously unicorn-shaped cloud. "It's got the horn and everything."
		
		A smile catches ${nate}'s lips. 
		
		"What? You still doubt me?" I ask with a brow arched.
		
		"No," ${n_she} replies, cuddling me closer so that ${n_she} can kiss the top of my head. "I was just thinking how perfect this moment is."
		
		I sigh into shared euphoric happiness, settling so perfectly against ${n_his} side that I have no doubts we're meant to be together.
		*goto chap8_rndiscovery
	#Let ${n_him} rest ${n_his} head on your shoulder.
		"I'm most glad you think so, Detective $!{surname}," ${n_she} replies, as I wrap my arm around ${n_him} so ${n_she} can rest ${n_his} head against my shoulder.
		
		I reach my free arm up towards the turquoise blue sky, pointing at one of the few puffy white clouds. "$!{felix} will be disappointed. That one looks just like a unicorn."
		
		$!{nate} narrows ${n_his} eyes while tilting ${n_his} head. "I wouldn't say just like one, but I can see what you mean."
		
		"Of course it's just like." I trace my finger in the air as though sketching an outline of the obviously unicorn-shaped cloud. "It's got the horn and everything."
		
		A smile catches ${nate}'s lips. 
		
		"What? You still doubt me?" I ask with a brow arched.
		
		"No," ${n_she} replies, cuddling into me closer so as ${n_she} can kiss my cheek. "I was just thinking how perfect this moment is."
		
		I sigh into shared euphoric happiness, ${nate} settling so perfectly against my side that I have no doubts we're meant to be together.
		*goto chap8_rndiscovery
		
*label chap8_rndiscovery
*if (nsexthreeeight = "slowdown")
	*page_break
	When the sun begins to beat its unyielding heat down on us with too much ferocity, we shuffle together off of the picnic blanket and towards the shade and lay back down.
	
	But unfortunately in doing so, I manage to bash a bunch of stacked books with my hip. 

	The mountain of knowledge tumbles to the ground around us in a spread of old paper and clouds of dust.

	We stare at the papery mess.

	I prop myself up onto my elbows. "Sorry."

	"No worries," ${n_she} replies, but I notice the slight wince ${n_she} makes at one of the crumpled pages.
	
	We begin to push the books to one side, piling them into small piles so it doesn't happen again, when my eye catches a familiar picture. I drag the book closer to smooth out the page.
	*goto chap8_rndiscovery2
*elseif (nsexthreeeight = "")
	
	I shift to one side to settle more comfortably on the blanket, but in doing so I manage to collide with a stack of books beside me.

	The mountain of knowledge tumbles to the ground around us in a spread of old paper and clouds of dust.

	We stare at the papery mess.
	
	"Sorry," I mumble.

	"No worries," ${n_she} replies, but I notice the slight wince ${n_she} makes at one of the crumpled pages.
	
	We begin to push the books to one side, piling them in small piles so it doesn't happen again, when my eye catches a familiar picture. I drag the book closer to smooth out the page.
	*page_break
	*goto chap8_rndiscovery2
*else
	We begin to push the books to one side, clearing the picnic blanket for our other uses, when my eye catches a familiar picture. I drag the book closer to smooth out the page.
	*page_break
	*goto chap8_rndiscovery3
	
*label chap8_rndiscovery2

We begin to push the books to one side, clearing the picnic blanket for our other uses, when my eye catches a familiar picture. I drag the book closer to smooth out the page.
*goto chap8_rndiscovery3

*label chap8_rndiscovery3

And there he is. Well, sort of. The page has an old sepia ink drawing of a female Anunnaki, notes and sketches made about her wings and body. A scrawl of tiny cursive handwriting marks the page.

"Hey, take a look at this," I say, gesturing with a hand at ${nate} without removing my focus from the page.

$!{nate} nudges closer to peer over my shoulder at the book. "It looks like a journal."

My eyes dart to a particularly messy section of notes that's less faded than the rest. "The Anunnaki, as with most Celestial beings, are some of the most powerful in the known worlds." I roll my eyes. "Wonderful."

$!{nate} points at the page with a slight frown. "Read on."

"But for all of their immense power, they have a defining weakness." Now we're getting somewhere. "They are a soul-bonded race of beings, weak to the one bond that they may form with another. If a bond is formed, there is no way to break it, and the Celestial being is bound to their soulbond's bidding or face being weakened by the bond…sometimes fatally so."

I lean back from the book with a shake of my head. 

*choice
	#Frown dejectedly. "So…he may be being forced to do this?"
		A sadness sinks in my stomach at this information. "Is this saying that the Anunnaki we faced may be being forced to do this?"
		
		"Possibly," ${nate} replies with as heavy a tone as mine. "We can't know for sure. But I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt after reading this."
		
		*if (sinregret = "suspect")
			"Everything he said when we talked with him…." I think back to our confrontation and the Anunnaki's words. "When he spoke he seemed almost regretful of what he was doing. This could explain why."
			
			"That word." $!{nate} leans closer to the book and points at the aged text. "'Soul-bonded'. I'm sure I've read that word today." $!{n_she} twists around, grabbing at books to force them out of the way before fanning out a pile of Agency files.
			*goto chap8_discover2
		*else
			I turn back to the book with a dejected frown, running my hand over the finely detailed image of the feathered being, so clear against the scribble of notes surrounding it.
			
			"But that word." $!{nate} leans closer to the book and points at the page. "'Soul-bonded'. I'm sure I've read that word today." $!{n_she} twists around, grabbing at books to force them out of the way before fanning out a pile of Agency files.
			*goto chap8_discover2
	#Blow out a breath. "Well, that explains a lot."
		I let out a long sigh, my breath making the pages of the journal shiver. "Well, that certainly explains a lot."
		
		"It does. A lot of what the Anunnaki said contradicted his actions." $!{n_she} taps the aged text on the page. "This gives a reason as to why that was." 
		
		"I guess now we just have to decide what we're going to do about it."
		
		$!{n_she} leans closer. "This word though. 'Soul-bonded'. I'm sure I've read that today somewhere." $!{n_she} twists around, grabbing at books to force them out of the way before fanning out a pile of Agency files.
		*goto chap8_discover2
	#Grimace. "I don't know what soul-bonded is, but it sounds horrible."
		"I don't know what soul-bonded is, but it sounds pretty terrible," I say with a grimace.
		
		"It certainly doesn't sound like something you'd want to experience. But it would explain why the author of this journal calls it a weakness." $!{n_she} leans closer in order to point at the page. "I'm sure I've read that word today somewhere." $!{n_she} twists around, grabbing at books to pull them out of the way before fanning out Agency files.
		*goto chap8_discover2
	#Raise a brow. "You think we could use this to our advantage?"
		I lift a brow, reading over the words again and what this could possibly mean. "Do you think we could use this to our advantage?"
		
		A slightly stony expression toughens ${n_his} usually soft gaze. "You would want to use this against them?"
		
		"It could possibly be the advantage we'd need." I shrug.
		
		"Just because we could, doesn't mean we should." $!{n_she} leans closer in order to point at the page. "This word though. 'Soul-bonded'. I'm sure I've read that today somewhere." $!{n_she} twists around, grabbing at books to force them out of the way before fanning out a pile of Agency files.
		*goto chap8_discover2
	#Think for a moment. "There's no way we can know if this is true."
		I scan the words again, the scribbled handwriting faded from age and almost translucent in the sunlight. "There's no way to confirm this could all be true. This is obviously the writing of someone long ago."
		
		"That's true, but I think they might have been onto something. That word, 'Soul-bonded', I'm certain I've read it today somewhere." $!{n_she} twists around, grabbing at books to force them out of the way before fanning out a pile of Agency files.
		*goto chap8_discover2
*label chap8_discover2

$!{n_she} slides one of the marked files out from the others and shuffles through the papers inside. "Here. Take a look."

I take the paper, scanning it quickly, my gaze drawn directly to the word we're speaking of.

[i]'Unit Tango were successful in arresting a group of Trappers at the edge of Wayhaven's borders. We're unsure what they were attempting, but it looks like some kind of ritual. We consulted Jong-Soo of Unit Romeo, who said the ritual appeared to be attempting some kind of 'soul-bonding' effect, but according to him, 'soul-bonding' is connected to soul magic. What was performed here would have mimicked the effects, but not been a true soul-bond.'[/i]

"Huh," I let out. "When was this?"

"A few months ago," ${nate} replies, slipping one of the papers from my grasp carefully. 

I shift on the blanket with a tight frown. "Do you think…."

"Possibly." $!{n_she} sighs. "I've never heard of this before, and now a ritual concerning it has occurred near Wayhaven? It seems the chances of that being just a coincidence are extremely unlikely."

*if ((nsexthreeeight = "slowdown")or(nsexthreeeight = ""))
	"We better tell the others," I state, standing from my place and grabbing the journal up with me as I go. I glance back when ${nate} doesn't follow. "Are you coming?"

	$!{nate} springs up from ${n_his} place to follow, and we quickly head inside.
	*finish Next Chapter
*else
	"We better tell the others." A knot of disappointment turning my statement into a groan.
	
	*if (nsexthreeeight = "trueshy")
		I make to stand, my legs still wobbly, and ${nate} reaches a hand up to take mine and steady me.
		
		"Having trouble?" ${n_she} teases.
		
		I clear my throat and retort with, "Feeling smug?"
		
		*if (n_man = "man")
			"A little," ${n_she} replies before ${n_she} lowers ${n_his} gaze as ${n_she} rubs at ${n_his} thigh. "But you're, uh…going to have to give me a minute before I can properly walk anywhere too."
			
			*if (bold >= 70)
				I lick at my lips as a low chuckle escapes me. 
				
				When we manage to get ourselves together, I pick up the journal, and we head inside together.
				*finish Next Chapter
			*elseif (bold <= 35)
				"Why—Oh…." I glance away as well as a hitch catches in my throat.
				
				When we manage to get ourselves together, I pick up the journal, and we head inside together.
				*finish Next Chapter
			*else
				I can't help the chuckle that escapes me.
				
				When we manage to get ourselves together, I pick up the journal, and we head inside together.
				*finish Next Chapter	
		*else
			"A little," ${n_she} replies before ${n_she} glances away while fanning at ${n_him}self, tugging ${n_his} shirt back on. "Hopefully I'll cool off on the walk there too."
			
			*if (bold <= 35)
				I rub at my neck as a hitch catches in my throat.
				
				When we manage to get ourselves together, I pick up the journal, and we head inside together.
				*finish Next Chapter	
			*else
				"You and me both," I say with a chuckle.
				
				When we manage to get ourselves together, I pick up the journal, and we head inside together.
				*finish Next Chapter	
	*else
		*if (n_man = "man")
			$!{nate} makes to stand, swaying slightly on wobbly legs as ${n_she} does so and blowing out a steadying breath. 
			
			It's difficult to hold back a small chuckle, so I concentrate on picking up the journal before looking to ${n_him}. "Ready to go?"
			
			"About as ready as I can make myself." $!{n_his} eyes are still heavy with remnants of pleasure, and it sends a zip of thrill to coil between my own legs.
			
			We then head inside together.
			*finish Next Chapter	
		*else
			"Hopefully I'll get my senses back by the time we get there," ${n_she} comments, tugging ${n_his} shirt back on.
			
			It's difficult to hold back a small chuckle, so I concentrate on picking up the journal before looking to ${n_him}. "Ready to go?"
			
			"About as ready as I can make myself." $!{n_his} eyes are still heavy with remnants of pleasure, and it sends a zip of thrill to coil between my own legs.
			
			We then head inside together.
			*finish Next Chapter
			
*label chap8_rf
Heading to the kitchen, I'm more happy than surprised to find ${felix} waiting for me.

"Good morning," I say, heading towards the fridge to see what ${nate} has kindly stocked for breakfast for me.

My view is blocked when ${felix} dips beneath my arm, holding the door open so as ${f_she} can stand directly before me with ${f_his} back to the penetrating chill of the refrigerator.

*if (ftogether = "true")
	*if (felixfirstkiss = "")
		"Morning," ${f_she} replies with a radiant smile, leaning close to plant a soft kiss on my cheek.
		
		I momentarily forget all about my hunger as butterflies fill my stomach instead.
		*goto chap8_rf1
	*else
		"Morning," ${f_she} replies with a radiant smile, leaning close to plant a soft kiss on my lips.
		
		I momentarily forget all about my hunger as butterflies fill my stomach instead.
		*goto chap8_rf1
*else
	"Morning," ${f_she} replies with such a radiant smile that I momentarily forget all about my hunger as butterflies fill my stomach instead.
	*goto chap8_rf1
	
*label chap8_rf1

"How am I supposed to get breakfast with you right here?" The words leave me through a light laugh.

"Oh please." $!{f_she} rolls ${f_his} eyes and rocks back on ${f_his} heels. "We both know I'm a better snacc than anything in there."

*choice
	#Shrug and then smile. "I mean, you're not wrong."
		I shrug, unable to hold back my smile as ${felix}'s expression drops. "I mean…" I pause for a moment, "I suppose you're not wrong."
		
		$!{f_his} eyes sparkle with a grin once again. "You had me worried there for a second."
		
		"Sorry. I couldn't resist." I chuckle, reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice. "So, is it just us for research today?"
		*goto chap8_rf2
	*if ((ftogether = "true")and(not(felixfirstkiss = ""))) #Kiss ${f_him}. "Yeah, you're right."
		I lean against the door so that I can bounce forward for another kiss. The sweet taste and warmth of ${f_his} lips bursts against mine, and I have to stop myself from sighing into it.
		
		I flicker open my eyes. "Yeah, you're right."

		*if (gender = "female")
			$!{f_she} wraps ${f_his} arms about my waist and draws ${f_him}self close to my body. "Well, maybe you should check again. Just in case." $!{f_she} taps at ${f_his} awaiting lips.
			
			"I'm pretty certain," I reply with a chuckle, reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice. "So, is it just us for research today?"
			*goto chap8_rf2
		*else
			$!{f_she} wraps ${f_his} arms about my middle and draws ${f_him}self close to my body. "Well, maybe you should check again. Just in case." $!{f_she} taps at ${f_his} awaiting lips.
			
			"I'm pretty certain," I reply with a chuckle, reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice. "So, is it just us for research today?"
			*goto chap8_rf2
	#Raise a brow. "Did you need something?"
		Glancing over ${f_his} position, I raise a brow. "Did you need something?"
		
		$!{f_she} sighs. "Yes, I do. Though I was hoping for a bit of flirty banter before the job stuff."
		
		A flurry of heat whirls in my stomach, so to suppress it I reach around ${f_him} and grab a bottle of juice. "Is it just us for research today?"
		*goto chap8_rf2
	*if ((ftogether = "true")and(not(felixfirstkiss = ""))) #Run fingers over ${f_his} lips. "Shame I've only had a taster."
		My gaze drops to ${f_his} mouth at the words, and I raise my hand, drawing my fingertips across ${f_his} bottom lip slowly. 
		
		A sigh breathes out of ${f_him}.
		
		"It's a shame I've only had a taster," I mumble, my focus fully on the softness of ${f_his} lips beneath my fingers.
		
		*if (bold <= 35)
			$!{f_she} blinks a few times before I feel ${f_his} grin beneath my fingertips. "Getting bolder, babe?"
			
			I stutter on ${f_his} comment. "What? I—" I make to draw my hand away, but ${f_she} reaches out to grab it before I can, kissing my palm. 
			
			"It wasn't an insult. Trust me." $!{f_his} wink settles the sudden anxiety flurrying through me.
			
			I try to distract from the moment by pulling my hand back and eaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice. "Is it just me and you for research today?"
			*goto chap8_rf2
		*else
			*if (gender = "female")
				$!{f_she} wraps ${f_his} arms about my waist and tugs me close against ${f_him}. "I'm happy for you to try the entire menu, babe. Just say the word."
				
				A flurry of warmth heats my stomach, so I try to cool it by reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice as a distraction. "Is it just me and you for research today?"
				*goto chap8_rf2
			*else
				$!{f_she} wraps ${f_his} arms about my middle and tugs ${f_him}self close against me. "I'm happy for you to try the entire menu, babe. Just say the word."
				
				A flurry of warmth heats my stomach, so I try to cool it by reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice as a distraction. "Is it just me and you for research today?"
				*goto chap8_rf2
		
	#Chuckle. "I wish I had even a thimbleful of your self-confidence."
		I lean against the fridge door and fold my arms with a laugh. "I seriously wish I had even a thimbleful of your self-confidence."
		
		"Well you should," ${f_she} replies without hesitation before stepping back to slowly drag ${f_his} gaze up my body with a growing smirk. "You should be overflowing with it."
		
		*if (bold >= 70)
			"Flattery will get you everywhere," I reply with a beaming smile of my own. 
			
			$!{f_she} grins.
			
			Reaching around ${f_him}, I grab for a bottle of juice. "So, is it just us for research today?"
			*goto chap8_rf2
		*elseif (bold <= 30)
			I blink a few times to process the compliment before clearing my throat and glancing away. "Well, that's nice of you to say—"
			
			*if (ftogether = "true")
				*if (gender = "female")
					$!{f_she} wraps ${f_his} arms about my waist and tugs me close against ${f_him}. "I don't just say it. I mean it, babe."
					
					A flurry of warmth heats my stomach, so I try to cool it by reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice as a distraction. "So, uh, is it just me and you for research today?"
					*goto chap8_rf2
				*else
					$!{f_she} wraps ${f_his} arms about my middle and tugs me close against ${f_him}. "I don't just say it. I mean it, babe."
					
					A flurry of warmth heats my stomach, so I try to cool it by reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice as a distraction. "So, uh, is it just me and you for research today?"
					*goto chap8_rf2
			*else
				"I don't just say it. I mean it," ${f_she} replies, a seriousness catching ${f_his} tone. 
				
				A flurry of warmth heats my stomach, so I try to cool it by reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice as a distraction. "So, uh, is it just me and you for research today?"
				*goto chap8_rf2
		*else
			I let out another chuckle. "Thanks for saying that."

			*if (ftogether = "true")
				$!{f_she} places a hand on my arm to catch my attention. "I'm not just saying it. I mean it, babe."
				
				My heart makes a couple of heavy thumps in my chest, so I try to calm it by reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice as a distraction. "So is it just me and you for research today?"
				*goto chap8_rf2
			*else
				$!{f_she} places a hand on my arm to catch my attention. "I'm not just saying it. I mean it."
				
				My heart makes a couple of heavy thumps in my chest, so I try to calm it by reaching around ${f_him} to grab a bottle of juice as a distraction. "So is it just me and you for research today?"
				*goto chap8_rf2
	#"You know you only need to ask to get my attention?"
		I glance over ${f_his} position before tilting my head. "You know you only need to ask to get my attention, right?"
		
		*if (ftogether = "true")
			*if (gender = "female")
				$!{f_she} slinks a step even closer while wrapping ${f_his} arms around my waist. "Sure. But this is way more fun, isn't it?"

				I chuckle and reach around ${f_him} for a bottle of juice. "So, I'm guessing it's just us for research today?"
				*goto chap8_rf2
			*else
				$!{f_she} slinks a step even closer while wrapping ${f_his} arms around my middle. "Sure. But this is way more fun, isn't it?"

				I chuckle and reach around ${f_him} for a bottle of juice. "So, I'm guessing it's just us for research today?"
				*goto chap8_rf2
		*else
			$!{f_she} slinks a step even closer with a smirk on ${f_his} lips. "Sure. But this is way more fun, isn't it?"

			I chuckle and reach around ${f_him} for a bottle of juice. "So, I'm guessing it's just us for research today?"
			*goto chap8_rf2

*label chap8_rf2

"Yes, it is. And I had to work extra hard to make sure it is just us, so let's make the most of it."

"I thought the others had extra patrol duty because of the increase in Trappers?" I ask, taking a seat at the table and opening the bottle, enjoying the burst of citrus that explodes from it as I do.

$!{felix} plops into the chair beside mine. "Well yeah. But you can imagine how ${adam} reacted when ${a_she} realised that meant it would be just you and me." A smirk perks the corner of ${f_his} lips. "Alone."

*if (bold >= 70)
	*if (f_man = "man")
		"I can see why. You really trust us to get work done alone?" I step my fingers up ${f_his} arm as I slide my gaze to meet ${f_his}.
		*goto chap8_rf3
	*else
		"I can see why. You really trust us to get work done alone?" I step my fingers up ${f_his} arm as I slide my gaze to meet ${f_his}s.
		*goto chap8_rf3
	*label chap8_rf3
	
	*if (ftogether = "true")
		$!{f_she} watches my motion carefully before smoothing the tip of ${f_his} tongue against ${f_his} top lip and clearing ${f_his} throat. "Well, now I seriously hope not."
		
		I chuckle.
		*goto chap8_rf4
	*else
		"We've always done well in the past when we work together," ${f_she} says, sliding ${f_his} arm away. I try to cover the slight disappointed frown that pinches at my brows. "I'm sure we'll do tons this time too."
		
		The dismissive reaction has me on the back foot for a moment.
		
		"Right," I reply eventually.
		*goto chap8_rf4
*elseif (bold <= 30)
	The simple word has me shifting in my chair as a tingle spirals through my body. "Uh, yeah. I guess I can."
	
	*if (ftogether = "true")
		"Nervous about it, babe?" ${f_she} teases with a wink. "Don't worry. I'll behave."
		*goto chap8_nervousbf
	*else
		"Nervous about it?" ${f_she} teases with a wink. "Don't worry. I'll behave."
		*goto chap8_nervousbf
	*label chap8_nervousbf
	
	I rub at my neck. "That's not…I'm, you know, glad it'll be just us."
	
	The teasing brightens to a genuine smile that sparkles through ${f_his} eyes.
	*goto chap8_rf4
*else
	"You expecting something more exciting than staring at stuffy books all day?" I tease with a laugh.
	
	$!{f_she} leans close and trails ${f_his} tongue slowly across ${f_his} upper lip, sending my stomach into a whirl of heat. "I can always hope."
	*goto chap8_rf4

*label chap8_rf4
*page_break
*if (f_man = "man")
	$!{f_she} stands from ${f_his} chair with a lazy stretch, and I do my best not to ogle ${f_his} toned stomach which is displayed as ${f_she} does.
	*goto chap8_rf5
*else
	$!{f_she} stands from ${f_his} chair with a lazy stretch, and I do my best not to focus on the tempting way her chest rises as she does.
	*goto chap8_rf5
*label chap8_rf5

"But there's no way I'm staying cooped up in the library all day today," ${f_she} comments, glancing out of the window to the sunshine dappling through the glass. I can almost see the lightbulb which pings inside ${f_his} head in that moment. "You eat breakfast and then meet me outside."

*if ((mc_haircut = "bald")or(mc_haircut = "very short"))
	I open my mouth to respond, but ${f_she}'s already zoomed away in a flash, making the newspaper on the edge of the desk flutter with ${f_his} speed.
	*goto chap8_rf6
*elseif ((mc_haircut = "short")or(mc_haircut = "long coiled"))
	I open my mouth to respond, but ${f_she}'s already zoomed away in a flash, making the newspaper on the edge of the desk flutter with ${f_his} speed.
	*goto chap8_rf6
*else
	I open my mouth to respond, but ${f_she}'s already zoomed away in a flash, making my hair flutter around me with ${f_his} speed.
	*goto chap8_rf6
	
*label chap8_rf6
*page_break
[i][b]Outside the Warehouse. Fifteen Minutes Later[/b][/i]

After a quick breakfast, I do as requested and head outside, but the overgrown wilderness that makes up the warehouse's gardens has finding ${felix} a difficult task.

I eventually stumble through a break in some bushy foliage and onto a smartly cut lawn. A fresh flower border has been cut around the square area, a few plants spreading their new leaves out with blossoms adding splashes of summer colour. 

$!{felix} is already sitting on a rusted bench with ${f_his} feet up, the old seat lilting slightly to one side.

$!{f_she} glances over to me when I enter. "You took your time."

"I'm only just getting used to navigating inside this place. It's going to take time to get used to the outdoors too," I respond. My gaze passes over the piles of books gathered about the bench, as well as a couple of laptops, and a spread of notepads. "Wow, you've been busy."

"It only took a few minutes to get it all up here." $!{f_she} leans ${f_his} head back, eyes fluttering closed, letting the light of the morning pool across ${f_his} face. "This is way better than in there."

I settle onto the sunshine-warmed grass by the bench, smiling as ${felix} slides off the seat to join me on the ground. "So, where do we start finding out about this Anunnaki?"

"Your call. This kind of thing isn't really my area," ${f_she} offers.

*choice
	#"How about a more modern and technical approach to the task?"
		*set science %+10
		*set approach "sci"
		"What about on the internet? Or the Agency database?" I suggest.
		
		"The database should contain something. They don't like too much information on there in case of security breaches, but it still has reports from ages ago," ${felix} says, handing me a laptop.
		
		I open it up and wait for the screen to flash into life. "Then I'll start there. Why don't you try the files?"
		
		*if (ftogether = "true")
			$!{felix} nods and stretches out on ${f_his} side beside me, flicking open one of the manila folders, the Agency's shield emblazoned on the front of it. "Sure thing, babe."
			
			And so we both settle down to a long day of research ahead.
			*goto chap8_rf7
		*else
			$!{felix} nods and stretches out on ${f_his} side beside me, flicking open one of the manila folders, the Agency's shield emblazoned on the front of it. "Sure thing."
			
			And so we both settle down to a long day of research ahead.
			*goto chap8_rf7
	#"How about starting with the myths from Babylon?"
		*set deduction %+10
		*set approach "ded"
		A stack of old books sits nearby, so I grab the top one, the movement sending a waft of dust to plume from the thick leather cover. "We should start at the beginning."
		
		$!{felix} nods. "So Babylon then? That's where ${nate} said their stories came from first."
		
		I give a hum of agreement. "Start at the beginning and work our way forwards. That okay with you?"
		
		*if (ftogether = "true")
			$!{felix} nods and stretches out on ${f_his} side beside me, flicking open one of the books. "Sure thing, babe."
			
			And so we both settle down to a long day of research ahead.
			*goto chap8_rf7
		*else
			$!{felix} nods and stretches out on ${f_his} side beside me, flicking open one of the books. "Sure thing."
			
			And so we both settle down to a long day of research ahead.
			*goto chap8_rf7
	#"I'll focus on finding out what they're like as people."
		*set people %+10
		*set approach "pep"
		"He may be an Anunnaki, but he's still an individual person, right?" I say with a slight frown as a thought begins to form.
		
		"Yeah, definitely."
		
		"And people leave traces, no matter how hard they try otherwise." I turn to the stack of folders nearby, the Agency's shield emblazoned on the front of them. "They wouldn't have been able to help it. So I think our best bet might be to start with reports of real Anunnaki encounters rather than just the myths. See if they have any commonalities."
		
		*if (ftogether = "true")
			"Good thinking, babe," ${f_she} agrees, grabbing a file and flicking it open as ${f_she} stretches out beside me on the lawn.
			
			And so we both settle down to a long day of research ahead.
			*goto chap8_rf7
		*else
			"Good thinking," ${f_she} agrees, grabbing a file and flicking it open as ${f_she} stretches out beside me on the lawn.
			
			And so we both settle down to a long day of research ahead.
			*goto chap8_rf7
	#"How about seeing if there's been any past confrontations with them?"
		*set combat %+10
		*set approach "com"
		A stack of folders sits nearby, the Agency's shield emblazoned on the front of them. I drag a couple over towards me, beginning to unknot the twine ties keeping them sealed. "Do you know if the Anunnaki are confrontational?"
		
		"No idea," ${f_she} replies with a shrug.
		
		"Well, they seem pretty powerful, so there must be a record if there had been any hostility with them." I glance up from the folder. "It's at least somewhere to start."
		
		*if (ftogether = "true")
			"Good thinking, babe," ${f_she} agrees, grabbing a file and flicking it open as ${f_she} stretches out beside me on the lawn.
			
			And so we both settle down to a long day of research ahead.
			*goto chap8_rf7
		*else
			"Good thinking," ${f_she} agrees, grabbing a file and flicking it open as ${f_she} stretches out beside me on the lawn.
			
			And so we both settle down to a long day of research ahead.
			*goto chap8_rf7
*label chap8_rf7
*page_break
[b][i]Three Hours Later[/i][/b]

The summer sun has moved directly overhead, but thankfully the thick canopy of the oak tree we're sat near gives us enough dappled shade to continue on in the blazing heat.

*if (ftogether = "true")
	The two of us had started the morning out separately, sat together but apart enough to give us space. But as the sun had steadily drifted higher, now….
	
	*choice
		#…I'm sitting with ${felix}'s head in my lap.
			*set fsat "one"
			We've somehow ended up sitting even closer, with ${felix}'s head resting in my lap.
			
			I stretch my legs out a little beneath ${f_him}, ${felix} glancing up from the file clutched in ${f_his} hands that ${f_she}'d has held in the air above ${f_him}. 
			
			"Found anything?" ${f_she} asks.
			
			*if (approach = "sci")
				Pushing away the laptop at my side, I shake my head. "Nothing. You?"
				*goto chap8_rf8
			*elseif ((approach = "pep")or(approach = "com"))
				Placing down the file I'd been holding, I shake my head. "Nothing. You?"
				*goto chap8_rf8
			*else
				Placing down the book I'd been holding, I shake my head. "Nothing. You?"
				*goto chap8_rf8
		#…I'm laying with my head in ${felix}'s lap.
			*set fsat "two"
			We've somehow ended up sitting even closer with my head resting in ${felix}'s lap.
			
			I stretch my body out a little, ${felix} tipping the file ${f_she}'d been reading up a little in order to glance down at me. 
			
			"Found anything?" ${f_she} asks.
			
			*if (approach = "sci")
				I place my phone onto my chest, the phone easier to hold than the laptop, and shake my head. "Nothing. You?"
				*goto chap8_rf8
			*elseif ((approach = "pep")or(approach = "com"))
				Placing down the file I'd been holding, I shake my head. "Nothing. You?"
				*goto chap8_rf8
			*else
				Placing down the book I'd been holding, I shake my head. "Nothing. You?"
				*goto chap8_rf8
		#We are leaning against each other, side-by-side.
			We've ended up sitting right beside each other, ${f_his} side leaning against mine as we work.
			*goto chap8_rf7a
*else
	The two of us had started the morning out separately, sat together but apart enough to give us space. But as the sun had steadily drifted higher, now we've ended up sat right beside each other, ${f_his} side lent against mine as we work.
	*goto chap8_rf7a
	
*label chap8_rf7a
	
I shift beside ${f_him}, and ${f_she} lowers the file ${f_she}'d been reading in order to glance over at me.
			
"Found anything?" ${f_she} asks.

*if (approach = "sci")
	Pushing away the laptop balanced on my thighs, I shake my head. "Nothing. You?"
	*goto chap8_rf8
*elseif ((approach = "pep")or(approach = "com"))
	Placing down the file I'd been holding, I shake my head. "Nothing. You?"
	*goto chap8_rf8
*else
	Placing down the book I'd been holding, I shake my head. "Nothing. You?"
	*goto chap8_rf8
	
*label chap8_rf8

"I found some pretty interesting stuff about how Anunnaki are categorised in the Agency." $!{f_she} spreads out the file, the notes inside neatly typed and listed, and nods to a certain section. "Seems like they're classified as 'Celestial' beings, as all angel-type species are."

*if (f_man = "man")
	"Angels?" I ask, shooting my gaze to ${f_his}. "Seriously?"
	*goto chap8_rf9
*else
	"Angels?" I ask, shooting my gaze to ${f_his}s. "Seriously?"
	*goto chap8_rf9
*label chap8_rf9

"Well, yeah." $!{f_she} then breaks into a smile as ${f_she} nods. "I forget you haven't been around all this stuff very long. They're a pretty impressive bunch. No wonder you humans pegged them for religious stuff."

"But they aren't anything to do with that?"

"Jeez, no. Especially not some of the 'Celestials' I've met," ${f_she} replies with a snort of laughter.

I take the folder as ${felix} passes it to me, ${f_his} finger indicating at a smaller paragraph near the bottom. "Seems like someone theorised that angels might just be subspecies of Anunnaki, but it was never proven."

*if (sideshowwin = "truefelix")
	$!{f_his} words take longer to process than they should, but only because I'm distracted by the way ${f_his} free hand is fiddling with the unicorn pendant around ${f_his} neck. 
	
	A smile catches my lips. But I shake my head to focus back on the task at hand.
	*goto chap8_rf10
*else
	*goto chap8_rf10
	
*label chap8_rf10
*page_break
$!{felix} tugs the files from my grasp and throws it to one side, a few of the papers almost spilling out. "But I think we are seriously overdue a break."

I can't exactly disagree. My eyes have gone fuzzy from the amount of information I've been sifting through. All of it useless.

"Let's take in the sights. Especially 'cause I spent all last week making sure this place was a sight." $!{f_she} spreads an arm out around the contained garden space. The flowers in bloom give off a waft of sweet nectar in the summer sun. "I chose the flowers."

I smile. It explains why there's such an eclectic mix of blooms. 

*if (fsat = "one")
	I lean back on my hands, tipping my head back and drawing in a long breath of the fresh air. $!{felix} settles further into my lap, mimicking my motion, ${f_his} eyes closed with a contented smile on ${f_his} face.
	*goto chap8_rf11
*elseif (fsat = "two")
	I settle my head further into ${felix}'s lap, drawing in a long breath of the fresh air. $!{felix} leans back on ${f_his} hands, mimicking my motion, ${f_his} eyes closed with a contented smile on ${f_his} face.
	*goto chap8_rf11	
*else
	I lean back on my hands, tipping my head back and drawing in a long breath of the fresh air. $!{felix} settles closer up against me, mimicking my motion, ${f_his} eyes closed with a contented smile on ${f_his} face.
	*goto chap8_rf11
*label chap8_rf11

I always imagine Wayhaven as a quiet place, but this is truly quiet. I can hear the soft buzz of bees as they bounce from flower to flower, the faint whisper of a breeze as it kisses the leaves above us, and even the birds singing their cheery calls in the distance.

It's hard to remember the last time I felt this at ease. This peaceful.

This happy.

*if (ftogether = "true")
	*if (fsat = "one")
		And I'm well aware a lot of it stems from the vampire who is now reaching ${f_his} arm up over ${f_his} head to brush ${f_his} hand against my cheek.
		
		$!{f_she} smiles at me from my lap. "What are you thinking about?"
		*goto chap8_rf12
	*elseif (fsat = "two")
		And I'm well aware a lot of it stems from the vampire who is now reaching ${f_his} hand down to brush ${f_his} fingers against my cheek.
		
		$!{f_she} smiles at me as I continue to lounge my head in ${f_his} lap. "What are you thinking about?"
		*goto chap8_rf12
	*else
		And I'm well aware a lot of it stems from the vampire who is now reaching over towards me to brush ${f_his} hand against my cheek.
		
		$!{f_she} smiles at me. "What are you thinking about?"
		*goto chap8_rf12
*else
	And I'm well aware a lot of it stems from the vampire who is now smiling over at me.
		
	"What are you thinking about?" ${f_she} asks.
	*goto chap8_rf12

*label chap8_rf12

*choice
	#Sigh happily. "How quiet it is here."
		The sun creates small dots of colours behind my eyelids as I keep them closed, a happy breath leaving me. "Just about how quiet it is here."
		
		"Quiet for you maybe," ${felix} comments, making my eyes flicker open to look at ${f_him}. "Hard to enjoy the peace when you can hear people whistling from a mile away."
		
		"Can you not dampen that out in any way?"
		
		$!{f_she} lifts one shoulder in a shrug. "Sometimes. I'll get better at it as I get older." $!{f_his} eyes lock on mine. "It's easier around you. Everything is easier with you."
		
		*if (ftogether = "true")
			My breath turns heavy at the intensity shining through ${f_his} bright eyes. If I thought it was quiet before, now it's deafeningly silent, the blood rushing through my ears all I can hear.
			
			I can see ${f_him} swallow as ${f_she} spreads ${f_his} fingers further against my cheek.
			
			It amazes me the power of emotion ${f_she} can coax out of me, even now.
			
			The moment pops as ${f_she} suddenly bounces onto ${f_his} feet in a swift, agile motion. "You know, it's way too nice a day just to sit reading."
			*goto chap8_rf13
		*else
			My breath turns heavy at the intensity shining through ${f_his} bright eyes. If I thought it was quiet before, now it's deafeningly silent, the blood rushing through my ears all I can hear.
			
			I can see ${f_him} swallow as ${f_she} reaches a hand out towards me. I don't stop it, ${f_his} fingers grazing against my cheek and bringing life back to my frozen body.
			
			But the moment pops as ${f_she} suddenly bounces onto ${f_his} feet in a swift, agile motion. "You know, it's way too nice a day just to sit reading."
			*goto chap8_rf13
	*if ((ftogether = "true")and(not(felixfirstkiss = ""))) #"How happy you make me." Kiss ${f_him}. 
		*if (fsat = "one")
			I hunch over in order to offer my own smile down at ${f_him}. $!{f_his} eyes glimmer not only with sunlight, but with a happiness that radiates out from ${f_him} until I can almost feel it dance across my skin.
			
			"I was thinking how happy you make me," I reply, leaning down and capturing ${f_his} lips with mine. The kiss is brief but intimate, with the slightest wetness of ${f_his} tongue darting out against my lips before I draw away.
			
			"I don't think happy covers it," ${f_she} replies, voice slightly husky, as ${f_she} bites at ${f_his} lip. "Euphoric, maybe."
			
			I break into a smile, a light laugh escaping me.
			
			"Then let's enjoy that happiness instead of getting stuck reading," ${f_she} calls, bouncing up from my lap and onto ${f_his} feet in a swift, agile motion.
			*goto chap8_rf13
		*elseif (fsat = "two")
			I angle my head back in ${f_his} lap in order to offer my own smile up at ${f_him}. $!{f_his} eyes glimmer not only with sunlight, but with a happiness that radiates out from ${f_him} until I can almost feel it dance across my skin.
			
			"I was thinking how happy you make me," I reply, wrapping my hand around the back of ${f_his} neck to encourage ${f_him} closer and capture ${f_his} lips with mine. The kiss is brief but intimate, with the slightest wetness of ${f_his} tongue darting out against my lips before I draw away.
			
			"I don't think happy covers it," ${f_she} replies, voice slightly husky, as ${f_she} bites at ${f_his} lip. "Euphoric, maybe."
			
			I break into a smile, a light laugh escaping me.
			
			"Then let's enjoy that happiness instead of getting stuck reading," ${f_she} calls, and I manage to move in time as ${f_she} bounces onto ${f_his} feet in a swift, agile motion.
			*goto chap8_rf13
		*else
			I lean closer and offer a smile of my own. $!{f_his} eyes glimmer not only with sunlight, but with a happiness that radiates out from ${f_him} until I can almost feel it dance across my skin.
			
			"I was thinking how happy you make me," I reply, capturing ${f_his} lips with mine. The kiss is brief but intimate, with the slightest wetness of ${f_his} tongue darting out against my lips before I draw away.
			
			"I don't think happy covers it," ${f_she} replies, voice slightly husky, as ${f_she} bites at ${f_his} lip. "Euphoric, maybe."
			
			I break into a smile, a light laugh escaping me.
			
			"Then let's enjoy that happiness instead of getting stuck reading," ${f_she} calls, bouncing up onto ${f_his} feet in a swift, agile motion.
			*goto chap8_rf13
	*if (ftogether = "") #"How happy you make…I mean, I am right now."
		"How happy you…." Lost to the peace of the moment, as well as the glint of happiness that twinkles in ${felix}'s bright eyes, I almost spill more than I mean to. "I mean, how happy I am right now."
		
		"It sure is nice here, isn't it?" $!{f_she} replies, but I catch the small hitch of disappointment that hangs on the words.
		
		"It really is."
		
		"Then let's enjoy the rest of the day instead of getting stuck reading," ${f_she} calls, bouncing up onto ${f_his} feet in a swift, agile motion.
		*goto chap8_rf13
	#Frown. "That I wish we'd managed to get more information."
		A heavy breath sweeps out of me as I frown. "I wish we'd managed to find more information."
		
		"Way to ruin the mood," ${f_she} replies with a chuckle.
		
		*if (ftogether = "true")
			"Sorry." I give a sheepish shrug. "But we came here to research and all we found out was that Anunnaki are classed as celestials by the Agency. Information someone probably could have told us."
	
			"Then forgot about all of that. How about instead we get you back into a relaxing frame of mind. Let's find some way to enjoy the moment again," ${f_she} suggests, bouncing up onto ${f_his} feet in a swift, agile motion.
			*goto chap8_rf13
		*else
			I swipe a hand across my forehead to ease some of the tension. "It's just we came here to research and all we found out was that Anunnaki are classed as celestials by the Agency. Information someone probably could have told us."
			
			"Then forgot about all of that. How about instead we get you back into a relaxing frame of mind. Let's find some way to enjoy the moment again," ${f_she} suggests, bouncing up onto ${f_his} feet in a swift, agile motion.
			*goto chap8_rf13
	#Shrug. "Nothing much. Just enjoying the moment."
		I ease my shoulders up into a relaxed shrug. "Nothing much. Just enjoying the moment."
		
		"Then let's enjoy the moment completely instead of getting stuck reading," ${f_she} calls, bouncing up and onto ${f_his} feet in a swift, agile motion.
		*goto chap8_rf13
	
*label chap8_rf13

"And just how do you suggest we do that?" I ask, standing up as well and giving a slight wince as my body unfurls from its seated position after so long.

A mischievious smirk catches ${f_his} expression. "I'm so glad you asked." $!{f_she} reaches out to take my hand and leads me behind ${f_him} a few paces around the gargatuan trunk of the oak tree.

On the other side, hanging from a branch nearly as sturdy as the tree itself, is a rope swing. It's a simple construction: a sturdy rope anchored to the branch above with a large knot at the bottom to act as the seat. Quaintly rustic.

"Made it myself," ${felix} says, letting go of my hand to fold ${f_his} arms as ${f_she} gives a small nod of pride. "Pretty good, right?"

"It's certainly unexpected," I say through a breathy laugh.

"So, do you wanna go first? I'll push you," ${f_she} offers, making a gentle shoving gesture as ${f_she} smiles.

*choice
	#"All right!" Eagerly get on the swing and let ${felix} push.
		*set fpos "mcswing"
		It's not as though I need any more convincing than that. 
		
		"All right!" I'm already setting off towards the swing before I even finish my words. 
		*goto chap8_rfswingmc
	#"It's your swing. You should go first." Let ${felix} go first and push ${f_him}.
		*set fpos "fswing"
		"It's your swing, ${felix}," I state, stepping closer to grip the rope and then gesturing at the knotted seat. "You should get the first go."
		*goto chap8_rrfswingf10
	#"I should really get back to research, but you have fun."
		I throw a quick glance over the swing, the rope looking extremely well fastened, and the whole thing surprisingly secure.
		
		But then my gaze reluctantly shifts back to the pile of research and the clues which might lay within.
		
		I let out a sigh. "I should really get back to the research. But that doesn't mean you can't have a go on it."
		*goto chap8_rfnswingr
	#Chuckle. "You realise what ${adam} will do if ${a_she} finds out?"
		"Uh, you do realise what ${adam} will do if ${a_she} finds out, right?" I say with a laugh. 
		
		"Oh, I can imagine. But it'll be so worth it." $!{f_she} spreads a hand out towards the swing, leaning closer towards me with a smile that sets a pleasant shiver sweeping across my skin. "You know you want to…."
		
		*choice
			#"All right then." Get on the swing and let ${felix} push.
				*set fpos "mcswing"
				That's more than enough convincing for me!
		
				"All right then," I reply, shifting closer to the swing with a slight bubbling of excitement as I approach.
				*goto chap8_rfswingmc
			#"Only if you go first." Let ${felix} go first and push ${f_him}.
				*set fpos "fswing"
				"Only if you go first," I state, stepping closer to grip the rope and then gesturing at the knotted seat.
				*goto chap8_rrfswingf10
			#"I better not risk it. I'll research. You swing."
				I throw a quick glance over the swing, the rope looking extremely well fastened, and the whole thing surprisingly secure.
		
				But then my gaze shifts reluctantly back to the pile of research and the facts that might lay within.
		
				"I don't think I want risk ${adam}'s wrath," I admit. "Why don't I research, and you swing?"
				*goto chap8_rfnswingr

*label chap8_rrfswingf10
		
$!{f_she}'s already sped over in a blur of motion, wrapping ${f_his} legs around the rope and balancing without issue on the swing before I've even managed to finish my sentence.
		
$!{f_she} leans nearly all the way back to look up at me, gripping the rope with both hands in order to keep from tipping off. $!{f_she} reminds me very much of a graceful trapeze artist in that moment.

"If you insist," ${f_she} says with a wink.

I gently spread my hands across ${f_his} back and begin to push. 

The momentum speeds up pretty quickly, ${felix} even tapping the tree trunk with one toe in order to send the swing spinning around. $!{f_she} lets out a laugh so full of joy that it makes my heart swell.

$!{f_his} face is a picture of happiness: bright eyes, wide smile, and body completely relaxed. I've never met anyone with such a zest for life.

And it hits me like an eruption in my chest just how much I feel for ${f_him}. 

Truly [i]feel[/i].
*page_break
I'm so overcome with the thought that I don't notice when ${felix} kicks ${f_his} heels into the mud to draw to a stop in front of me with a worried frown. 

"Are you all right?" ${f_she} asks, placing a hand on my arm to bring me out of my thoughts.

I manage a nod. "Sorry. I got lost in thought for a moment."

"Anything bad?" 

I smile. "Definitely not."

"Cool. Then help me off this thing, will you? My butt's gone to sleep." $!{f_she} unhooks ${f_his} legs from around the knot seat before stumbling forwards and crashing into me.

*if (f_man = "man")
	*if (mc_height = "short")
		$!{f_his} body suddenly collapsing against mine, combined with ${f_his} taller height, almost has us both toppling to the ground, but I manage to find my feet before we do.
		*goto chap8_rfswingf2
	*else
		$!{f_his} body suddenly collapsing against mine almost has us both toppling to the ground, but I manage to find my feet before we do.
		*goto chap8_rfswingf2
*else
	$!{f_his} body suddenly collapsing against mine almost has us both toppling to the ground, but I manage to find my feet before we do.
	*goto chap8_rfswingf2
*label chap8_rfswingf2

*if (ftogether = "true")
	When I catch ${f_his} gaze, ${f_she}'s struggling to hold back the smile that's making ${f_his} eyes gleam.

	"You know, I didn't think vampires were supposed to be clumsy. What with your super senses and all," I state, holding back a smile of my own.

	$!{f_she} leans back, but doesn't pull out of my balancing hold, and gives a small but dramatic gasp. "Are you trying to say that I would fake tripping just so that I could have this magically romantic moment?"

	"I mean, I wasn't saying that, but now I'm definitely thinking it," I reply with a shrug, unable to hold back my smile any longer.

	*if ((gender = "male")and(f_man = "woman"))
		$!{f_she} slides ${f_his} hands up onto my chest and rests them there. "Well, go back to thinking about the magic of the moment."
		*goto chap8_rf8swingf3
	*else
		$!{f_she} slides ${f_his} arms around me in a loose embrace. "Well, go back to thinking about the magic of the moment."
		*goto chap8_rf8swingf3
	*label chap8_rf8swingf3

	It's difficult not to with the way ${f_his} gaze catches mine, and ${f_his} expression drops to one of meaningful earnest.

	*if (gender = "female")
		$!{f_she} rolls ${f_his} lips together, spreading the fingers of one of ${f_his} hands on the small of my back to encourage me even closer.
		*goto chap8_rfkiss
	*else
		$!{f_she} rolls ${f_his} lips together, spreading the fingers of one of ${f_his} hands between my shoulder blades to encourage me even closer.
		*goto chap8_rfkiss
*else
	When I catch ${f_his} gaze, I expect to see a smile or even a glimmer in ${f_his} eyes, and where—for a second there is a whisper of a smile—it quickly fades.
	
	*if (f_man = "man")
		$!{f_she} pushes away and tugs at the bottom of ${f_his} shirt to straighten it. "Sorry."
		*goto chap8_rfswingf3d
	*else
		$!{f_she} pushes away and brushes a hand over the skirt of ${f_his} dress to straighten it. "Sorry."
		*goto chap8_rfswingf3d
	*label chap8_rfswingf3d
	
	I blink, half-expecting a flirtatious remark or dazzling grin to be thrown my way after that…but there's nothing.

	And I find myself utterly disappointed that there wasn't.
	
	"It's okay," I mumble.
	
	$!{f_she} returns ${f_his} gaze to mine, and the awkwardness of the moment instantly dissipates. A pleasurable shiver vibrates across my skin, a small breath leaving me, and my heart makes a thud against my ribs so hard I lose my voice.
	
	Whatever hesitation overcame ${f_him} before, ${f_she} seems to shrug it off in order to shuffle a step closer and send my pulse into a rocketing pace.
	*goto chap8_rfkiss
	
*label chap8_rfswingmc			
				
It takes me a minute to get myself balanced on the uncomfortable knot of rope that forms the seat of the swing, but I manage to wrap my legs around it and cross my ankles in order to stay on.
		
"Ready?" ${felix} asks, ${f_his} hands gently spreading over my back. 

"Ready," I reply with a nod.

The summer day rushes over me in a warm breath as I swing forwards. The sunlight bursts across my face as I swing out of the dappled shade of the tree, before I sway back into the coolness the canopy provides.

I close my eyes, letting ${felix}'s gentle motions propel me forward once again. I allow myself to simply enjoy the feeling of the fresh day, and the blissful freeing sensation of being suspended in the air on the swing.
*page_break
I'm not sure how long it's been, but when I eventually open my eyes, I'm swinging far higher than I expected. It seems I'm practically horizontal to the ground at one point, the leaves of the tree fast approaching ahead of me.

*if (combat >= 75)
	My grip tightens on the rope on instinct, a flicker of fear licking up my spine, but I force my body to relax in order to keep my balance.
	*goto chap8_rfswing1z
*else
	My grip tightens on the rope on instinct, a flicker of fear licking up my spine and causing my balance to wobble.
	*goto chap8_rfswing1z
*label chap8_rfswing1z

*if (gender = "female")
	But on my next swing down, ${felix}'s hands wrap firmly around my waist to bring me to a stand-still.
	*goto chap8_rfswing1
*else
	But on my next swing down, ${felix}'s hands plant firmly against my back to bring me to a stand-still.
	*goto chap8_rfswing1
*label chap8_rfswing1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Are you all right?" ${f_she} asks, concern making the words rushed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I nod. "Yeah. Just hadn't expected to be swinging quite so high."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Sorry," ${f_she} replies, glancing away for a second with a wince. "I kind of got distracted watching you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (bold >= 70)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	My lips lift into a lazy smirk. "Well, I can't really complain about that."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		Instead of the expected dazzling smile in return, or even an equally charming response, ${f_she} actually shies away and brushes down ${f_his} shirt.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_rfswing2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		Instead of the expected dazzling smile in return, or even an equally charming response, ${f_she} actually shies away and brushes down the skirt of ${f_his} dress.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rfswing2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
*elseif (bold <= 30)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Me?" I splutter. "Why…why would you get distracted by that?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		I expect ${f_his} usual dazzling smile, or even a charming comment that makes my heart speed even faster, but instead ${f_she} actually shies away and brushes down ${f_his} shirt.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*goto chap8_rfswing2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		I expect ${f_his} usual dazzling smile, or even a charming comment that makes my heart speed even faster, but instead ${f_she} actually shies away and brushes down the skirt of ${f_his} dress.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*goto chap8_rfswing2  
*elseif (charming >= 70)
	My lips lift into a lazy smirk. "Well, I can't really complain about that."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		Instead of the expected dazzling smile in return, or even an equally charming response, ${f_she} actually shies away and brushes down ${f_his} shirt.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_rfswing2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		Instead of the expected dazzling smile in return, or even an equally charming response, ${f_she} actually shies away and brushes down the skirt of ${f_his} dress.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rfswing2  
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	"Me?" I blurt out. "Seriously?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		I expect ${f_his} usual dazzling smile, or even a charming comment, but instead ${f_she} actually shies away and brushes down ${f_his} shirt.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_rfswing2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		I expect ${f_his} usual dazzling smile, or even a charming comment, but instead ${f_she} actually shies away and brushes down the skirt of ${f_his} dress.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_rfswing2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
*label chap8_rfswing2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	"Well, you know…," ${f_she} mumbles, giving a half-hearted shrug and turning back to meet my gaze. "You just make me feel a lot of things—" $!{f_she} holds up ${f_his} hands. "All good things. But it just surprises me sometimes just, uh…how much I feel them."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	True honesty pours out on every word, the sound of it like a siren's call to me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I grip the rope tightly as it sways a little, as though the swing can sense the overwhelming rush of happiness that surges through me in that moment. "Really?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Really," ${f_she} replies in a low whisper.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	A pleasurable shiver vibrates across my skin, a small breath leaving me, and my heart makes a thud against my ribs so hard I lose my voice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if ((f_man = "woman")and(gender = "male"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		Whatever hesitation seemed to overcome ${f_him} before, ${f_she} shrugs it off in order to shuffle closer, skyrocketing my pulse into an erratically excited pace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	*elseif (f_man = "woman")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			Whatever hesitation seemed to overcome ${f_him} before, ${f_she} shrugs it off in order to shuffle closer, skyrocketing my pulse into an erratically excited pace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			Whatever hesitation seemed to overcome ${f_him} before, ${f_she} shrugs it off in order to grab the rope and tug me closer, skyrocketing my pulse into an erratically excited pace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		Whatever hesitation seemed to overcome ${f_him} before, ${f_she} shrugs it off in order to grab the rope and tug me closer, skyrocketing my pulse into an erratically excited pace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	"Well, you know…," ${f_she} mumbles, giving a half-hearted shrug and turning back to meet my gaze. "You just make me feel a lot of things—" ${f_she} holds up ${f_his} hands. "All good things. But I'm not sure if I should feel those things. For you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	True honesty pours out on every word, the sound of it like a siren's call.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I grip the rope tightly as it sways a little, as though the swing can sense the overwhelming rush of happiness that surges through me in that moment. "I…."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	My voice loses its momentum as our gazes meet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	A pleasurable shiver vibrates across my skin, a small breath leaving me, and my heart makes a thud against my ribs so hard I worry it might crack one.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if ((f_man = "woman")and(gender = "male"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		Whatever hesitation overcame ${f_him} before, ${f_she} seems to shrug it off in order to shuffle closer, skyrocketing my pulse into an erratically excited pace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	*elseif (f_man = "woman")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			Whatever hesitation overcame ${f_him} before, ${f_she} seems to shrug it off in order to shuffle closer, skyrocketing my pulse into an erratically excited pace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			Whatever hesitation overcame ${f_him} before, ${f_she} seems to shrug it off in order to grab the rope to tug me closer, skyrocketing my pulse into an erratically excited pace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		Whatever hesitation overcame ${f_him} before, ${f_she} seems to shrug it off in order to grab the rope to tug me closer, skyrocketing my pulse into an erratically excited pace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_rfnswingr                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"What?" A pout forms on ${f_his} lips. "But I thought we could both have fun?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

*choice
	#"Researching is fun for me."																																																																																																																																																																											                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		I laugh lightly as I spread a hand towards the books. "That is fun for me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
																																																																																																																																																																															 
		$!{f_she} lifts a brow at the stack of papers and tomes before sagging. "Well, as long as you're enjoying yourself, I suppose."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
																																																																																																																																																																															 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"I am," I assure ${f_him}, pecking a soft kiss on ${f_his} cheek.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			"Okay." $!{f_she} brightens at my reply. "I'll just be over here then."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			I watch as ${f_she} speeds off towards the rope swing, and a buzz of utter joy envelops ${f_him} as I watch. I've never met anyone who enjoys life with such passion as ${felix} does.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			With a contented smile, I settle back amongst the books and enjoy my own kind of passion.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			*goto chap8_rf14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			"I am," I assure ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			"Okay." $!{f_she} brightens a little at my reply. "I'll just be over here then."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			I watch as ${f_she} speeds off towards the rope swing, and a buzz of utter joy envelops ${f_him} as I watch. I've never met anyone who enjoys life with such passion as ${felix} does.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			But I shake my head from the distraction so that I can settle back amongst the books and get down to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*goto chap8_rf14
	#"It's not necessarily fun for me, but still has to be done."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		I laugh lightly as I spread a hand towards the books. "It's not necessarily fun for me."  

		"Then why do it?"
		
		"Because someone has to. And I'd rather it be me than you."
																																																																																																																																																																															 
		$!{f_she} lifts a brow at the stack of papers and tomes before sagging. "Well, thank you for that."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
																																																																																																																																																																															 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"I will try to have as much fun as best as I can anyway," I assure ${f_him}, pecking a soft kiss on ${f_his} cheek.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			"Okay." $!{f_she} brightens at my reply. "I'll just be over here then."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			I watch as ${f_she} speeds off towards the rope swing, and a buzz of utter joy envelops ${f_him} as I watch. I've never met anyone who enjoys life with such passion as ${felix} does.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			With a contented smile, I settle back amongst the books and continue on with my work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*goto chap8_rf14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			"I will try to have as much fun as best as I can anyway," I assure ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			"Okay." $!{f_she} brightens a little at my reply. "I'll just be over here then."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			I watch as ${f_she} speeds off towards the rope swing, and a buzz of utter joy envelops ${f_him} as I watch. I've never met anyone who enjoys life with such passion as ${felix} does.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
																																																																																																																																																																															 
			But I shake my head from the distraction so that I can settle back amongst the books and get down to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*goto chap8_rf14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
*label chap8_rf14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Half an hour passes, and I manage about two pages of research.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Every time I catch sight of ${felix} out of the corner of my eye, my whole focus shifts to ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{f_she}'s been happily swinging away, even tapping the tree trunk with ${f_his} toe in order to send the swing spinning around every now and then.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
As I glance over this time, ${f_she} lets out a laugh so full of joy that it makes my heart swell.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{f_his} face is a picture of happiness: bright eyes, wide smile, and body completely relaxed. I've never met anyone with such a zest for life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And it hits me like a eruption in my chest just how much I feel for ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Truly [i]feel[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
I'm so overcome with the thought that I don't notice when ${felix} stops swinging. It's not until ${f_she} plops down cross-legged beside me that I'm snapped from my thoughts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Are you all right?" ${f_she} asks, placing a hand on my knee in concern.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I manage a nod. "Sorry. I got lost in thought for a moment."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Anything bad?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I smile. "Definitely not."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Cool. Then you should totally come and have a swing now. You deserve a break!" But as ${f_she} makes to stand, ${f_she} loses ${f_his} balance, tips forward, and falls into me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		$!{f_his} body suddenly collapsing against mine, combined with ${f_his} taller height, almost has us both falling back onto the ground, but I manage to find my balance before we do.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_rfswingr12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		$!{f_his} body suddenly collapsing against mine almost has us both falling back onto the ground, but I manage to find my balance before we do.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*goto chap8_rfswingr12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	$!{f_his} body suddenly collapsing against mine almost has us both falling back onto the ground, but I manage to find my balance before we do.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*goto chap8_rfswingr12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
*label chap8_rfswingr12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	When I catch ${f_his} gaze, ${f_she}'s struggling to hold back the smile that's making ${f_his} eyes gleam.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	"You know, I didn't think vampires were supposed to be clumsy. What with your super senses and all," I state, holding back a smile of my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	$!{f_she} angles away a little, but doesn't pull out of my balancing hold, and gives a small but dramatic gasp. "Are you trying to say that I would fake falling just so that I could have this magically romantic moment?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	"I mean, I wasn't saying that, but now I'm definitely thinking it," I reply with a shrug, unable to hold back the smile any longer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*if ((gender = "male")and(f_man = "woman"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		$!{f_she} slides ${f_his} hands up onto my chest and rests them there. "Well, go back to thinking about the magic of the moment."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_rf8swingr13                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		$!{f_she} slides ${f_his} arms around me in a loose embrace. "Well, go back to thinking about the magic of the moment."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_rf8swingr13                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*label chap8_rf8swingr13                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	It's hard not to with the way ${f_his} gaze catches mine, and ${f_his} expression drops to one of meaningful earnest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*if (gender = "female")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		$!{f_she} rolls ${f_his} lips together, spreading the fingers of one of ${f_his} hands on the small of my back to encourage me even closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		$!{f_she} rolls ${f_his} lips together, spreading the fingers of one of ${f_his} hands between my shoulder blades to encourage me even closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	When I catch ${f_his} gaze, I expect to see a smile or even a glimmer in ${f_his} eyes, and where—for a second there is a whisper of a smile—it quickly fades.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		$!{f_she} pushes away and tugs at the bottom of ${f_his} shirt to straighten it. "Sorry."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_rfswingr14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		$!{f_she} pushes away and brushes a hand over the skirt of ${f_his} dress to straighten it. "Sorry."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*goto chap8_rfswingr14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*label chap8_rfswingr14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I blink, half-expecting a flirtatious remark or dazzling grin to be thrown my way after that. But it never comes.
	
	And I find myself utterly disappointed that it didn't.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"It's okay," I mumble.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_she} returns ${f_his} gaze to mine, and the awkwardness of the moment instantly dissipates. A pleasurable shiver vibrates across my skin, a small breath leaving me, and my heart makes a thud against my ribs so hard I lose my voice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Whatever hesitation overcame ${f_him} before, ${f_she} shrugs it off in order to shuffle across the grass closer and skyrocketing my pulse into an erratically excited pace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*goto chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_rfkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*if (ftogether = "true") #Allow the kiss to happen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*if (fpos = "mcswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			I try to remember to force myself to breathe as ${f_his} fingers trace up the curve of my back, over my shoulder, and eventually cup my cheek.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			
			*if (f_man = "man")
				$!{f_she} bends down to me, and I just see the hint of a smile before my eyes flutter shut, and ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				*goto chap8_rfkissallow
			*else
				$!{f_she} bends down to me, and I just see the hint of a smile before my eyes flutter shut, and ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}s.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				*goto chap8_rfkissallow  
		*elseif (fpos = "fswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			I try to remember to force myself to breathe as ${f_his} fingers trace up my arm, over my shoulder, and eventually cup my cheek.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
				*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
					$!{f_she} bends down to me, and I just see the hint of a smile before my eyes flutter shut, and ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
					*goto chap8_rfkissallow                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				*elseif (mc_height = "average")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
					$!{f_she} leans in towards me, and I just see the hint of a smile before my eyes flutter shut, and ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
					*goto chap8_rfkissallow                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
					$!{f_she} tiptoes up towards me, and I just see the hint of a smile before my eyes flutter shut, and ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
					*goto chap8_rfkissallow                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
					$!{f_she} leans in towards me, and I just see the hint of a smile before my eyes flutter shut, and ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}s.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
					*goto chap8_rfkissallow                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
					$!{f_she} tiptoes up towards me, and I just see the hint of a smile before my eyes flutter shut, and ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}s.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
					*goto chap8_rfkissallow                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I try to remember to force myself to breathe as ${f_his} fingers reach out to trace up my arm, over my shoulder, and eventually cup my cheek.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			$!{f_she} leans in towards me, and I just see the hint of a smile before my eyes flutter shut, and ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}s.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			*goto chap8_rfkissallow                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	*if (ftogether = "") #Allow the kiss to happen. [i](Begins relationship)[/i]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*set ftogether "true"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*set ftogetherwhen "threeeight"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*if (fpos = "mcswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			I try to remember to force myself to breathe as ${f_his} fingers trace up the curve of my back, over my shoulder, and eventually cup my cheek.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_she} bends down to me but then pauses, ${f_his} gaze darting over mine for certainty before closing the gap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			All I can manage is the faintest nod as my body explodes with anticipation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			
			*if (f_man = "woman")
				My eyes flutter shut as ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}s. 
				*if (felixfirstkiss = "")
					*set felixfirstkiss "threeeight"
					*goto chap8_rfkissallow   
				*else
					*goto chap8_rfkissallow   
			*else
				My eyes flutter shut as ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
				*if (felixfirstkiss = "")
					*set felixfirstkiss "threeeight"
					*goto chap8_rfkissallow   
				*else
					*goto chap8_rfkissallow
		*elseif (fpos = "fswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			I try to remember to force myself to breathe as ${f_his} fingers trace up my arm, over my shoulder, and eventually cup my cheek.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
				*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
					$!{f_she} bends down to me but then pauses, ${f_his} gaze darting over mine for certainty before closing the gap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
					*goto chap8_kissallowf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				*elseif (mc_height = "average")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
					$!{f_she} leans in towards me but then pauses, ${f_his} gaze darting over mine for certainty before closing the gap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
					*goto chap8_kissallowf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
					$!{f_she} tiptoes up towards me but then pauses, ${f_his} gaze darting over mine for certainty before closing the gap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
					*goto chap8_kissallowf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
					$!{f_she} leans in towards me but then pauses, ${f_his} gaze darting over mine for certainty before closing the gap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
					*goto chap8_kissallowf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
					$!{f_she} tiptoes up towards me but then pauses, ${f_his} gaze darting over mine for certainty before closing the gap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
					*goto chap8_kissallowf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I try to remember to force myself to breathe as ${f_his} fingers reach out to trace up my arm, over my shoulder, and eventually cup my cheek.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			$!{f_she} leans in towards me but then pauses, ${f_his} gaze darting over mine for certainty before closing the gap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*goto chap8_kissallowf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*if (ftogether = "true") #Kiss ${f_him} first.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_kissfirst3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*if (ftogether = "") #Kiss ${f_him} first. [i](Begins relationship)[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*set ftogether "true"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*set ftogetherwhen "threeeight"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*goto chap8_kissfirst3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*if (ftogether = "true") #Kiss ${f_his} cheek. "You're incredible, you know that?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		The anticipation builds like a shivering bubble around us—to the point that if it popped, there would be no turning back.

		But still I follow my instincts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I close my eyes as I place a gentle but firm kiss on ${f_his} cheek. Pulling away, I can see an instant smile light ${f_his} eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You're incredible, you know that?" I state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Well, I don't know what inspired that, but I'll take it," ${f_she} replies, the smile growing until it makes ${f_his} whole expression brighter than the midday sun.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		
		*if (f_man = "man")
			I lay a hand on ${f_his} and let out a happy sigh of my own. "[i]You[/i] inspired it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			*goto chap8_handsgainf
		*else
			I lay a hand on ${f_his}s and let out a happy sigh of my own. "[i]You[/i] inspired it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			*goto chap8_handsgainf
		*label chap8_handsgainf	
		
		$!{f_she} glances at the touch before turning ${f_his} palm over to lace our fingers together. "And you inspire me to be more…well, me. So I guess you have to take some of the credit for that."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I chuckle and cup ${f_his} cheek. "You're not usually one for modesty."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"What can I say?" $!{f_she} angles close to kiss my cheek in return. "You make me want to try new things."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"But I like you as you. You don't need to try anything new," I say with a shrug.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_his} smile dips a little, a small knot between ${f_his} brows as ${f_she} examines my own expression closely.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I lift a brow at the inspection. "What?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It's just…," ${f_she} shakes ${f_his} head, "you really mean that."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Of course I do."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Another moment of silence stretches from ${f_him} until ${f_she} sucks in a breath and glances away, rubbing at ${f_his} neck.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*if ((fpos = "mcswing")or(fpos = "fswing"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			Eventually, ${f_she} breaks the ongoing quiet and stumbles a step back, tugging on my hand as ${f_she} does. "We should—Ah, shit!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			A thud interrupts ${f_his} words as ${f_she} crashes into a mound of books behind ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			*goto chap8_rftripf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			Eventually, ${f_she} breaks the ongoing quiet and leans back, tugging on my hand as ${f_she} does. "We should—Ah, shit!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			A thud interrupts ${f_his} words as ${f_she} accidentally elbows a mound of books behind ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*goto chap8_rftripf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*if (ftogether = "") #Kiss ${f_his} cheek. "You're incredible, you know that?" [i]Begins relationship[/i]. 
		*set ftogether "true"
		*set ftogetherwhen "threeeight" 
		The anticipation builds like a shivering bubble around us—to the point that if it popped, there would be no turning back.

		But still I follow my instincts. 
		
		I close my eyes as I place a gentle but firm kiss on ${f_his} cheek. Pulling away, I can see an instant smile light ${f_his} eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You're incredible, you know that?" I state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} blinks a few times before a slight frown knots between ${f_his} brows. "Incredible like 'I wanna date you incredible'? Or just my usual kind of incredible?" $!{f_she} licks at ${f_his} lips after the question and drops ${f_his} gaze to the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		The question causes the uncertain bubble around my feelings for ${felix} to finally burst and—exactly as I predicted—the emotions spill out into my chest with the force of a tsunami, drowning any final doubts or worries.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		A smile spreads onto my lips. "Incredible like I want to date you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_his} gaze flashes back to mine, ${f_his} amber eyes wide but glimmering. "Wait, are you serious? 'Cause I was only kinda joking."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Do you want me to be joking too?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_his} hand whips out to take mine, ${f_his} warm fingers wrapping around my own. "No! No way! I want—need—you to be totally serious right now about this."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I lay my other hand on our joined ones and nod. "I am serious."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Serious serious?" ${f_she} squeaks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Serious serious serious," I reply with a chuckle.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		A happy laugh chimes out of ${f_him} that sets my heart racing. $!{f_she} wraps ${f_his} arms around me in a hug that doesn't help with my thundering pulse.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		"Oh man, I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for this." $!{f_she} draws back, ${f_his} hands now on my shoulders. "For you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I know what you mean," I breathe out.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You've been waiting for you too?" ${f_she} asks with a faux frown before breaking into a grin. "Ah, I can't tease you right now. I'm way too happy." My breath gasps out of me for a moment as ${f_she} tugs me into another hug before I chuckle and return the embrace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if ((fpos = "mcswing")or(fpos = "fswing"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			Eventually, ${f_she} breaks the moment and stumbles a step back, tugging on my hand as ${f_she} does. "We should totally tell the others—Ah, shit!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			A thud interrupts ${f_his} words as ${f_she} crashes into a mound of books behind ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			*goto chap8_rftripf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			Eventually, ${f_she} breaks the ongoing quiet and leans back, tugging on my hand as ${f_she} does. "We should—Ah, shit!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			A thud interrupts ${f_his} words as ${f_she} accidentally elbows a mound of books behind ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*goto chap8_rftripf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	#Struggle to force gaze away with a breath. "Guess we should…get back to it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		There's such a connection which stirs between us in that moment, that my mind doesn't seem to be able to focus on anything. My body needing every last thread of emotion to comprehend the intensity of it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		It takes everything I have to rip my gaze away and suck in a breath to get my body working again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (fpos = "mcswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			I clear my throat, unhooking myself from around the swing and stumbling towards the picnic blanket. "Uh, perhaps we should—" My words falter to a stop as I knock into some of the open books strewn on the ground, my gaze flickering down, back up…and then snapping back to the closest book.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				"Um, babe. You okay?" ${felix} asks after a silent moment, striding closer in order to glance down at where I'm staring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*elseif (callme = "Detective")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				"Um, $!{name}. You okay?" ${felix} asks after a silent moment, striding closer in order to glance down at where I'm staring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
				*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				"Um, $!{callme}. You okay?" ${felix} asks after a silent moment, striding closer in order to glance down at where I'm staring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*elseif (fpos = "fswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			I clear my throat, untangling myself from ${felix} and stumbling towards the picnic blanket. "Uh, perhaps we should—" My words falter to a stop as I knock into some of the open books strewn on the ground, my gaze flickering down, back up…and then snapping back to the closest book.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				"Um, babe. You okay?" ${felix} asks after a silent moment, striding closer in order to glance down at where I'm staring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*elseif (callme = "Detective")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				"Um, $!{name}. You okay?" ${felix} asks after a silent moment, striding closer in order to glance down at where I'm staring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
				*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				"Um, $!{callme}. You okay?" ${felix} asks after a silent moment, striding closer in order to glance down at where I'm staring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"I guess we should…," I clear my throat, my hand landing on the open books spread around us. "We should probably get back to—"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			My entire focus shifts to the book beneath my hand.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				"Um, babe. You okay?" ${felix} asks after a silent moment, shifting closer in order to glance down at where I'm staring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*elseif (callme = "Detective")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				"Um, $!{name}. You okay?" ${felix} asks after a silent moment, shifting closer in order to glance down at where I'm staring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
				*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				"Um, $!{callme}. You okay?" ${felix} asks after a silent moment, shifting closer in order to glance down at where I'm staring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_kissfirst3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (fpos = "mcswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		My fingers twist into ${f_his} shirt in order to tug ${f_him} the last step closer. $!{f_she} almost trips, using ${f_his} grip on the rope above me to stay steady.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*goto chap8_kissfirst3a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		I slide an arm about ${f_his} waist in order to tug ${f_him} the last step closer. $!{f_she} almost trips, using ${f_his} grip on the rope above me to stay steady.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*goto chap8_kissfirst3a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
*elseif (fpos = "fswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		My fingers twist into ${f_his} shirt in order to tug our bodies the last inch closer together.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*goto chap8_kissfirst3a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		My fingers hook around the strap of her dress in order to tug our bodies the last inch closer together.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*goto chap8_kissfirst3a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		My fingers twist into ${f_his} shirt in order to tug ${f_him} the last inch closer. It almost unsteadies us on the picnic blanket, but our locked gazes seem to hold us firm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_kissfirst3a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		My fingers hook around the strap of her dress in order to tug our bodies the last inch closer together. It almost unsteadies us on the picnic blanket, but our locked gazes seem to hold us firm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		*goto chap8_kissfirst3a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
*label chap8_kissfirst3a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	A wide grin spreads across ${f_his} face, and I instantly want to taste the happiness which radiates from that smile.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*if (f_man = "man")	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			$!{f_she}'s already leaning down towards me as I cover ${f_his} lips with mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			*goto chap8_kissfirst2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*elseif (mc_height = "average")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			$!{f_she}'s already leaning towards me as I cover ${f_his} lips with mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			*goto chap8_kissfirst2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			$!{f_she}'s already tiptoeing up towards me as I cover ${f_his} lips with mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			*goto chap8_kissfirst2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			$!{f_she}'s already leaning towards me as I cover ${f_his} lips with mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			*goto chap8_kissfirst2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			$!{f_she}'s already tiptoeing up towards me as I cover ${f_his} lips with mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			*goto chap8_kissfirst2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	The moment falters as ${f_his} hand comes to rest on my shoulder to stop me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_she} raises a brow in questioning, and I know ${f_she}'s asking if I'm sure.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	And I realise that this is it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
					                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	[i]This is the moment[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	My head tips into an eager nod as my body explodes with anticipation, and a happy grin spreads across ${f_his} face.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I instantly want to taste the happiness which radiates that smile, so I cover ${f_his} lips with mine, my eyes falling closed to enjoy the every sensation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*goto chap8_kissfirst2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_kissfirst                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
A happy grin spreads across ${f_his} face, and I instantly want to taste the happiness which radiates from that smile.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
I yank ${f_him} down, even as ${f_she}'s already bending forward to close the gap, and cover ${f_his} lips with mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
*goto chap8_kissfirst2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_kissfirst2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (felixfirstkiss = "")  
	*set felixfirstkiss "threeeight"
	*goto chap8_ffristkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		It's warm and deep, but grows even deeper as I open my mouth to ${f_his} and fall completely into the moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_rfkissallow2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		It's warm and deep, but grows even deeper as I open my mouth to ${f_his}s and fall completely into the moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*goto chap8_rfkissallow2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*label chap8_rfkissallow2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	Each kiss feels new with ${felix}. As though every kiss is our first kiss all over again. 
	
	The heat which simmers between our bodies flows across me like flames licking at my skin. The smooth motion of our lips dancing across each other's pulls a moan from ${f_him}. Need has my fingers gripping ${f_him} tighter against me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	But it's not just a lustful need.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	It's a need for more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	A need for all of ${f_him}. Completely.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	*goto chap8_moref                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_kissallowf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And I realise that this is it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
					                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
[i]This is the moment[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
All I can manage is the faintest nod as my body explodes with anticipation.  

*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	My eyes flutter shut as ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*goto chap8_rfkissallow 
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	My eyes flutter shut as ${f_she} covers my lips with ${f_his}s.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*goto chap8_rfkissallow  	
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_rfkissallow                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (felixfirstkiss = "")    
	*set felixfirstkiss "threeeight"																																																																																																																																																																				
	*goto chap8_ffristkiss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		It's warm and soft, but grows deeper as I open my mouth to ${f_his} and fall completely into the moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*goto chap8_rfkissallow2z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		It's warm and soft, but grows deeper as I open my mouth to ${f_his}s and fall completely into the moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_rfkissallow2z	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*label chap8_rfkissallow2z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*if ((mc_haircut = "bald")or(mc_haircut = "very short"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		Each kiss feels new with ${felix}. As though every kiss is our first kiss over again. The heat which simmers between our bodies flows across me like flames licking at my skin. The smooth motion of ${f_his} lips across mine draws a moan out of me I can't stifle. The need in ${f_his} grip as ${f_his} fingers grasp against me is something I return whole-heartedly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*goto chap8_flneed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	*elseif (mc_haircut = "long coiled")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Each kiss feels new with ${felix}. As though every kiss is our first kiss over again. The heat which simmers between our bodies flows across me like flames licking at my skin. The smooth motion of ${f_his} lips across mine draws a moan out of me I can't stifle. The need in ${f_his} grip as ${f_his} fingers grasp against me is something I return whole-heartedly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*goto chap8_flneed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		Each kiss feels new with ${felix}. As though it's our first kiss, every kiss. The heat which simmers between our bodies flows across me like flames licking at my skin. The smooth motion of ${f_his} lips across mine draws a moan out of me I can't stifle. The need in ${f_his} grip as ${f_his} fingers tangle into my hair is something I return whole-heartedly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_flneed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

*label chap8_flneed 

But it's not just a lustful need.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
It's a need for more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
																																																																																																																																																																												 
A need for all of ${f_him}. Completely.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
*goto chap8_moref
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*label chap8_ffristkiss	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
It's gentle at first. Barely a whisper of our lips touching, as though I'm only tasting the anticipation that still lingers on my mouth.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	Then I part my lips farther to cover ${f_his}…and that's when I realise just how desperate I've been for this moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	My mouth continues to move over ${f_his} in slow motions, both of us savouring every movement and taste. $!{f_his} body angles closer to deepen the kiss in a way that steals my breath and thought.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*goto fkissvar5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	Then I part my lips farther to cover hers…and that's when I realise just how desperate I've been for this moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	My mouth continues to move over hers in slow motions, both of us savouring every movement and taste. $!{f_his} body angles closer to deepen the kiss in a way that steals my breath and thought.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*goto fkissvar5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*label fkissvar5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
As I move my hand to curl my fingers around the back of ${f_his} neck, I can feel ${f_him} smile into the kiss.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
"Whoa…," ${felix} says through a breath when we break away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Our eyes open only to meet each other's. $!{f_his} amber ones are as bright as real gemstones as they gaze at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Happiness lights every part of ${f_his} face.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
…That is until in ${f_his} happiness ${f_she} eagerly angles closer towards me again and manages to knock over a stack of nearby books.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
"Ah, shit!" ${f_she} calls, just about avoiding the avalanche of books that comes crashing towards ${f_his} feet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Are you all right?" I ask through a ragged breath, my body not caught back up to reality yet and still very much fizzling with the lingering taste of ${felix}'s lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I will be when we get back to what we were doing," ${f_she} purrs as though the incident hadn't even happened.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I smile, happy to be returned to a moment where it's just me and ${f_him}…that is until something catches my eye on the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_moref                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*if (fpos = "fswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	I'm encouraged towards the grassy area by ${felix}'s temptingly roaming hands, neither of us noticing our stumbled steps in our haste to be as close as possible.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_his} breath washes over my cheek as ${f_she} trails kisses across it before moving back to kiss me once more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	We walk backwards together to a clearer spot, not caring about our path as we're too consumed by each other.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	That is until ${f_she} almost falls completely backwards when ${f_his} foot catches on something behind us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Ah, shit!" ${f_she} calls, just about managing to keep ${f_his} balance as ${f_she} avoids the avalanche of books crashing towards ${f_his} feet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I chuckle. "I'm guessing you didn't fake that trip?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"And interrupt what we had going on? Not a chance," ${f_she} purrs as though the almost-trip had never happened.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I smile, happy to be returned to a moment where it's just me and ${felix}…that is until something catches my eye on the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*elseif (fpos = "mcswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	I'm encouraged off the swing by ${felix}'s temptingly roaming hands, neither of us noticing as I almost stumble off the thing in our haste to be as close as possible.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_his} breath washes over my cheek as ${f_she} trails kisses across it before moving back to kiss me once more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	We walk backwards together towards a clearer spot, not caring about our path as we're too consumed by each other.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	That is until ${f_she} almost falls completely backwards when ${f_his} foot catches on something behind us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Ah, shit!" ${f_she} calls, just about avoiding the avalanche of books that comes crashing towards ${f_his} feet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Are you all right?" I ask through a ragged breath, my body not caught back up to reality yet and still very much sizzling with ${felix}'s touch.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"I will be when we get back to what we were doing," ${f_she} purrs as though the almost-trip had never happened.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I smile, happy to be returned to a moment where it's just me and ${f_him}…that is until something catches my eye on the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	Neither of us seem to notice as we end up lying next to each other on the grass, our haste to be as close as possible consuming our thoughts far more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_his} breath washes over my cheek as ${f_she} trails kisses across it before moving back to kiss me once more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I almost forget about the world around us until ${felix} knocks into something behind ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Ah, shit!" ${f_she} calls, glaring over ${f_his} shouder as an avalanche of books crash against ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Are you all right?" I ask through a ragged breath, my body not caught back up to reality yet and still very much sizzling with ${felix}'s touch.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"I will be when we get back to what we were doing," ${f_she} purrs as though the incident had never happened.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I smile, happy to be returned to a moment where it's just me and ${f_him}…that is until something catches my eye on the ground beside us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_rftripf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*if (fpos = "fswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	I quickly unhook myself from the swing to check ${f_she}'s all right as an avalanche of books crashes towards ${f_his} feet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_she} balances ${f_him}self again as I reach out to help steady ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I chuckle. "I'm guessing you didn't fake that trip?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"It depends. Did you think it was adorable?" ${f_she} asks with a wink.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I smile, happy to be drawn into the flirtation…that is until something catches my eye on the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*elseif (fpos = "mcswing")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	I quickly lurch forward to check ${f_she}'s all right as an avalanche of books crashes towards ${f_his} feet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_she} balances ${f_him}self again as I reach out to help steady ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Are you all right?" I ask, glancing between ${f_him} and the mass of half-open tomes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"I'm just lucky a stubbed toe heals so quick for vampires," ${f_she} says, lifting ${f_his} foots to pinch at the toe of ${f_his} shoe with a mostly-fake grimace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I smile, happy that ${f_she}'s mostly unharmed, even ${f_his} ego…that is until something catches my eye on the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	I quickly reach forward to check ${f_she}'s all right as an avalanche of books crashes towards ${f_his} legs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_she} balances ${f_him}self again as I reach out to help steady ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Are you all right?" I ask, glancing between ${f_him} and the mass of half-open tomes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"I'm just lucky vampires don't bruise," ${f_she} jokes with a wink, rubbing at ${f_his} arm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I smile, happy that ${f_she}'s obviously unharmed, even ${f_his} ego…that is until something catches my eye on the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*goto chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_freveal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if ((fpos = "mcswing")or(fpos = "fswing"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	Spread across the page of one of the books is a sketched sepia picture of a very familiar being. I kneel down and drag the book closer to smooth out the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*goto chap8_freveal2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	Spread across the page of the book is a sketched sepia picture of a very familiar being. I drag the book closer to smooth out the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*goto chap8_freveal2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
*label chap8_freveal2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And there he is. Well, sort of. This age-faded drawing is of a female Anunnaki, notes and sketches made of her wings and body. A scrawl of tiny cursive handwriting marks the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I found it," I mumble before flicking my head up in sudden excitement, waving a hand at ${felix} to take a look.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{felix} tips ${f_his} head closer to peer over my shoulder at the book. "That's so obviously an Anunnaki. How did we not see this one before?" $!{f_she} pinches the cover of the book in order to tip it up slightly and look at the title. "It's some old guy's journal. No wonder I didn't see it. I was only looking at the actual research stuff."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
My eyes dart to a particularly messy section of notes that's less discoloured than the rest. "The Anunnaki, as with most Celestial beings, are some of the most powerful in the known worlds." I roll my eyes. "Wonderful."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Don't be like that. Just think; you met one of the most powerful beings in the world and made him run away from you!" $!{felix} bursts out a laugh. "That's pretty awesome."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I half-shrug, not having thought of it that way, but now a small well of confidence stirs in my chest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{felix} stares down at the page with a frown and continues reading. "But for all of their power, they have a defining weakness." $!{f_she} glances at me. "Sounds promising."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I lean over and take over reading aloud. "They are a soul-bonded race of beings, weak to the one bond that they may form with another. If a bond is formed, there is no way to break it, and the Celestial being is bound to their soulbond's bidding, or face being weakened by the bond…sometimes fatally so."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
As that statement processes, I give a shake of my head.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Frown dejectedly. "So…he may be being forced to do this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		A sadness sinks into my stomach at this information. "So the Anunnaki we faced may be being forced to do this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Oh, that makes me all kinds of uneasy," ${felix} comments, giving a grimace and a shake of ${f_his} head. "Soul-bonding is extreme."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_discoverf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	#Blow out a breath. "Well, that explains a lot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		I let out a long sigh, my breath making the pages of the journal shudder. "Well, that certainly explains a lot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"No kidding. No wonder the guy was all weird saying he didn't want to take you but had to," ${felix} comments. "I seriously hope we don't have to take him on again. Soul-bonding is extreme."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*goto chap8_discoverf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	#Grimace. "I don't know what soul-bonded is, but it sounds horrible."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		"I don't know what soul-bonded is, but it sounds pretty terrible," I say with a grimace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"When it goes wrong, it's about the worst it can get," ${felix} scoffs with a shake of ${f_his} head. "But when it goes right, it goes [i]really[/i] right."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_discoverf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	#Raise a brow. "You think we could use this to our advantage?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		I lift a brow, reading over the words again and what this could possibly mean. "Do you think we could use this to our advantage?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"How? Like try to get him soul-bonded to us instead?" $!{f_she} grimaces and gives a sharp shake of ${f_his} head. "Soul-bonding is already extreme without trying to twist it further."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*goto chap8_discoverf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	#Think for a moment. "There's no way we can know if this is true."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		I scan the words again, the scribbled handwriting faded from age and almost translucent in the sunlight. "There's no way to confirm this could all be true. This is obviously the writing of someone long ago."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Well, soul-boding is definitely a thing," ${felix} comments.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_discoverf																																																																																																																																																																								
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
*label chap8_discoverf  

I stare over at ${f_him} with wide eyes. "You know what it is?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
"Sure. It's rare, even in the Echo World, but it was about. Didn't always exactly end well. Hold on…." $!{f_she} begins fishing through the pile of Agency reports, throwing some to the side in a messy heap as ${f_she} continues to search. "I'm pretty sure I read it mentioned somewhere already today."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I help search, flicking open files and examining the reports inside as fast as I can.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
"Oh, here!" ${felix} calls, snapping up a handwritten report and placing it into my lap. "I knew I'd seen it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I take the papers, my gaze drawn directly to the word we're speaking of.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]'Unit Tango were successful in arresting a group of Trappers at the edge of Wayhaven's borders. We're unsure what they were attempting, but it looks like some kind of ritual. We consulted Jong-Soo of Unit Romeo, who said the ritual appeared to be attempting some kind of 'soul-bonding' effect, but according to him, 'soul-bonding' is connected to soul magic. What was performed here would have mimicked the effects, but not been a true soul-bond.'[/i]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Huh," I let out. "When was this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Eh," ${f_she} checks the corner box of the report, "looks like a little while ago. A few months."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I turn to face ${f_him} with a tight frown. "Do you think…?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"That Mr.Birdman might be the product of their experiments?" $!{f_she} finishes my thought before blowing out ${f_his} cheeks. "I've never heard of anyone successfully imitating a soul-bond, and, seriously, so many people have tried. But I guess it's possible they finally cracked it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I spring up from the blanket, the report grasped firmly in one hand. "We better tell the others."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (ftogetherwhen = "threeeight")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	$!{felix} leaps up onto ${f_his} feet beside me and takes my free hand, offering me a smile. "Oh yeah. There's a whole lot of news to tell them."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	$!{f_she} tugs me back towards the house, ${f_his} grin only brightening as we go.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	*finish Next Chapter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*elseif (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	$!{felix} leaps up onto ${f_his} feet beside me and takes my free hand. "Lead the way, babe."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	We walk back towards the house…possibly taking longer than necessary, just to enjoy each other's company for a few moments longer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*finish Next Chapter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	$!{felix} leaps up onto ${f_his} feet beside me and spreads out a hand. "Lead the way."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	We walk back towards the house…possibly take longer than necessary, just to enjoy each other's company for a few moments longer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*finish Next Chapter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_rm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Seeing as I'm staying with the group, it was decided we might as well take the opportunity to do the research on the Anunnaki we'd discussed. $!{mason} had been surprisingly eager to join me in the task, so I head to the library to meet ${m_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Except, after swinging open the door, I find the large library completely empty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"${mason}?" My voice echoes about the room before being muted by the shelves of books, which look eerily like they're standing guard of the space.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
With a confused mumble, I turn around and return to the hallway to make my way back towards the foyer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
It's not until I finally head towards ${mason}'s room—after checking the kitchen, living room, training room, and the other usual haunts—that I find a note pinned to the door.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
It simply says, 'Roof'.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I rip down the note with a groan, swing around, and stride towards the window which will lead me out to our unexpected new meeting spot.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Stepping out onto the gritty surface of the roof, the haze of summer morning light hasn't quite reached this height yet, and a cool shade washes across the area.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The branches of the nearby trees are heavy with bushy leaves, their sap adding an aromatic essense to the still air. They look as though they're reaching out to embrace ${mason} as ${m_she} sits hunched over a sprawl of open books on the flat rooftop.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
One of the biggest tomes is spread open in ${m_his} lap. $!{m_she} sits cross-legged on the floor, a cigarette in one hand which dribbles ash onto the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} gives a soft grunt and swipes lazily at the grey powder.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Wince. "Better not let $!{nate} know you did that."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I wince as I watch ${m_him} smear the grey, thankfully cooled, ash across the age-worn page. "You better not let ${nate} find out that you did that."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} doesn't even glance up, apparently already aware of my presence. "$!{n_she} can scold me after we're done."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		My brows flicker up as I lean back on my heels. It wasn't exactly the answer I was expecting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} stubs out the cigarette on the stony ground beside ${m_him} before tossing me a book.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*goto chap8_rm1b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Arch a brow. "Thanks for letting me know the change of location."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		I arch a brow at ${m_his} casual stance. "Thanks so much for letting me know the change of location."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} doesn't even look up before pointing ${m_his} cigarette at the paper note crumpled in my grasp. "What do you think that is?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Poor communication?" I retort.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} scoffs, stubbing out the cigarette on the ground before launching a book at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_rm1b	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	#Reel back in surprise. "Are you…already working?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		I almost topple back at the sheer shock of seeing ${mason} already hard at work. The small notepad beside ${m_him} has a selection of notes scribbled all over it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Are you…already working? I didn't know you functioned at this time in the morning," I comment, making sure the words are light enough ${m_she} takes it as the joke it's meant to be.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"$!{mname}, I function at any time of the day…or night." $!{m_his} flirtation is barely a flirtation. It mumbles from ${m_his} lips more forced than fun, ${m_his} gaze transfixed to ${m_his} book as ${m_she} flicks over to the next page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I scooch a step closer, my shoes grating across the gravelly ground. "If you're working this hard, then maybe I don't need to bother with all of this."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Not a chance," ${m_she} barks, still not looking up, but stubbing out ${m_his} cigarette before launching a book at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*goto chap8_rm1b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Chuckle. "So this is where you've been hiding."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		"So this is where you've been hiding," I comment, stepping closer as I give a light chuckle.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Hiding implies I didn't want you to find me," ${m_she} replies, but any flirtation ${m_she} meant to add in seems forgotten, and ${m_she} instead turns the page of ${m_his} book.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I shrug and let ${m_his} note float down into ${m_his} lap. "Then you could have made it a bit easier for me to find you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} flicks the note off the page without glancing up. "It told you exactly where I was."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Once I found it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Look, stop moaning and help me out, would you?" $!{m_she} stubs out ${m_his} cigarette on the ground beside ${m_him} and launches a book towards me, ${m_his} eyes still transfixed to the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_rm1b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Sit down next to ${m_him} and grab a book.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		If ${m_she}'s already started, then I should really be helping out.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Stepping closer, I sit down beside ${m_him}, taking a moment to find a comfortable position on the gravelly ground, before settling completely.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Nice of you to join me, ${mname}." $!{m_she} doesn't glance to me as ${m_she} speaks, but instead stubs out ${m_his} cigarette and passes me a book.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I take it with a grateful nod and tease open the delicate cover.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_rm2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Grimace at the cigarette. "Could you put that out, please?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*set masonquit +1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		My eyes instantly snap to the cigarette spewing out sickly drab plumes into the air. "Could you put that out, please?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} instantly stubs it out, but doesn't glance up from ${m_his} book. "I only needed it because you weren't here."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"What?" The word sputters out of me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} eyes now snap up, staring into the distance before sliding to meet mine. "I mean, I only lit it because you weren't here."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I blink. "Right."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		A silence seeps across the rooftop, a slight tension at the fringes of it that make me fidget on the spot.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} head drops back down to hunch over the book in ${m_his} lap. "Just help me out, would you?" $!{m_she} grabs up a different book and tosses it towards me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rm1b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_rm1b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (combat >= 65)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	I catch it with ease before it collides into my stomach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Get started already," ${m_she} grumbles, never once shifting ${m_his} eyes up from ${m_his} research.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*goto chap8_rm1a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	It comes at me with such speed that I scramble to catch it, only just managing to grab the edge of the cover before it flails from my grip.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Get started already," ${m_she} grumbles, never once taking ${m_his} eyes from ${m_his} research, not even to mock my ridiculous catch.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	*goto chap8_rm1a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_rm1a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Um, okay…," I reply, drawing out the words as I move towards ${m_him} and sit on the ground. I shift against the gravel that pokes into my thighs before finding a relatively comfy postion and settling down to work, glancing over at ${mason} a couple of times.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*goto chap8_rm2		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_rm2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
"So what exactly are we doing up here?" I ask after a while of heavy quiet, in which ${mason} fills half a page of the notebook beside ${m_him} with writing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"It gets too stuffy down there," ${m_she} says, gesturing with a light nod of ${m_his} head to where the library is located beneath ground. "It's quieter up here. It makes it easier to focus."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (booktwodefense = "research")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	*if (bold >= 70)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		"You didn't seem overly keen on focusing on research the last time we did this," I comment, adding a slight smirk to the words to help lighten the oddly tense air.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} completely ignores the teasing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_rm3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*elseif ((friendly <= 35)or(charming <= 35))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		"I didn't really think you were a fan of research," I say, adding a shrug to help with the oddly tense air.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} completely ignores the comment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_rm3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		"I didn't really think you were a fan of research," I say, adding a soft chuckle to lighten the oddly tense air.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} completely ignores the comment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_rm3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*label chap8_rm3	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
"Do you need a notebook to write in, or were you actually organised enough to bring one?" $!{m_she}'s already sliding over an empty notebook and pen before I can answer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
"Thanks." I clear my throat and take the pad. "What is it we're actually looking for? You must have some idea if you started a little before me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]Finally[/i] ${m_she} glances up from ${m_his} task, but only to give a slight snort of annoyance. "I started hours ago."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if ((sarcastic >= 75)or(charming >= 75))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	"Well you don't need sleep," I quip in return.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Humans," ${m_she} mutters before motioning to the stacks of books and files around us. "Take your pick on where you want to look."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*goto chap8_rm4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*elseif (deduction >= 70)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	"Don't worry, I'll catch up," I say, jutting my chin out with a determined nod.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Sure," ${m_she} mutters before motioning to the stacks of books and files around us. "Take your pick on where you want to look."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	*goto chap8_rm4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	"How was I supposed to know that? I spent most of the morning searching the warehouse for you," I reply with a frown prickling at my brow that I try to keep from showing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Whatever," ${m_she} mutters before motioning to the stacks of books and files around us. "Take your pick on where you want to look."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	*goto chap8_rm4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*label chap8_rm4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Take a more modern and technical approach to the task.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*set science %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*set approach "sci"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		My gaze shifts away from the aged tomes and mountains of reports, instead landing on the laptop that remains untouched.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Do you mind if I use that?" I ask.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} shakes ${m_his} head, so I reach around ${m_him} to drag the laptop closer. It's already logged into the Agency database. Hopefully a more modern approach to our task of searching will make things go that much faster.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I eye ${mason} brooding over ${m_his} book once again, lips taut in thought, and I try not to get distracted by ${m_his} strange behaviour as I settle down to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*goto chap8_rm5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Start with the myths from Babylon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*set deduction %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*set approach "ded"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		There are a stack of Agency reports surrounding us, as well as some old journals, but it's the books on myths that draw my attention.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		If the Anunnaki stories came from Babylon first, then maybe they have more truths to them…or at least some more information than we already have.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I place down the one ${mason} handed me, instead reaching for another—a beautiful tome with a pale blue cover and gold inlay—and spread it open, smoothing out the pages gently.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		Still, I can't help glancing to ${mason}, who is brooding over ${m_his} book once again, lips taut in thought. I try not to get distracted by ${m_his} strange behaviour as I settle down to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rm5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Focus on finding out what the Anunnaki are like as people.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*set people %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*set approach "pep"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		There are a myriad of books surrounding us, as well as piles of Agency reports, but it's the small selection of journals that draw my focus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Maybe journals from real people might contain more useful information, such as actual encounters with them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I place down the book ${mason} gave me, instead reaching for one of the journals. A couple of pages almost slip free as I drag it closer. As I tease open the delicate cover, I smooth my hand on the pages inside to keep them together, opening it further so that I can see everything inside.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		Still, I can't help glancing to ${mason}, who is brooding over ${m_his} book once again, lips taut in thought. I try not to get distracted by ${m_his} strange behaviour as I settled down to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rm5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Look into any past confrontations with the Anunnaki.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*set combat %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*set approach "com"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		There are a myriad of books surrounding us, as well as a selection of old journals, but it's the pile of Agency reports that draw my focus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Maybe one of them might contain factual evidence of an encounter with an Anunnaki…and possibly an idea of how to react in any confrontations with them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I place down the book ${mason} gave me, and instead reach for one of the reports, a couple of pages almost slipping free as I drag it closer. 
		
		I can't help glancing to ${mason}, who is brooding over ${m_his} book once again, lips taut in thought. I try not to get distracted by ${m_his} strange behaviour as I settled down to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rm5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
*label chap8_rm5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*if (approach = "sci")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	Hours pass, and my vision begins to unfocus and blur as I stare at the screen and what feels like the hundredth report I've read.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	It's also the hundredth report without a single useful shred of information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	With a heavy breath, I slide the computer from my lap and stretch my body out as best I can. Hours of sitting in the same position hasn't exactly done wonders for my muscles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	*goto chap8_rm6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*elseif (approach = "ded")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	Hours pass, and my vision begins to unfocus and blur as I stare at the page of my book and what feels like the hundredth myth I've read.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	It's also the hundredth myth without a single useful shred of information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	With a heavy breath, I slide the book from my lap and stretch my body out as best I can. Hours of sitting in the same position hasn't exactly done wonders for my muscles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*goto chap8_rm6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*elseif (approach = "pep")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	Hours pass, and my vision begins to unfocus and blur as I stare at the page of the journal I'm reading and what feels like the hundredth account I've read.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	It's also the hundredth account without a single useful shred of information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	With a heavy breath, I slide the journal from my lap and stretch my body out as best I can. Hours of sitting in the same position hasn't exactly done wonders for my muscles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*goto chap8_rm6	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*elseif (approach = "com")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	Hours pass, and my vision begins to unfocus and blur as I stare at the page of the report I'm reading and what feels like the hundredth account I've read.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	It's also the hundredth account without a single useful shred of information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	With a heavy breath, I slide the file from my lap and stretch my body out as best I can. Hours of sitting in the same position hasn't exactly done wonders for my muscles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*goto chap8_rm6	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_rm6	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
For what feels like the first time since coming up to the roof, ${mason} actually glances over at me as I unfold my body from its hunched position.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
But ${m_she} quickly returns ${m_his} focus to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Silence with ${mason} is not exactly unusual, but this quiet is not the comfortable kind that I've grown used to around ${m_him}. There's a strange prickle in the air that seems to sting against my skin. It clings to me even as I rub at my arms to dispel the feeling.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Frown in concern. "Is there something wrong?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		I watch ${m_him} for a while longer, examining the uneasy tightness that tugs at ${m_his} features, ${m_his} stormy grey eyes somewhat dulled.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Concern has me shifting closer. "Is there something wrong?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} snaps ${m_his} head up, ${m_his} tension creasing into a frown. "What?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Well, you just seem so…," I hesitate, wincing slightly at the awaiting glare ${m_she} sends my way, "quiet."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Because I usually make tons of conversation?" ${m_she} counters through a drawl of sarcasm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I roll my eyes. "No, I know that's not your style. But today you seem really quiet. Unusually so. I guess I was just worried."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} frown finally relents, and ${m_she} expels a soft breath, glancing down as ${m_she} leans ${m_his} forearms against the book in ${m_his} lap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Are you okay?" I repeat after another moment of quiet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I'm fine," ${m_she} grumbles. "I just hate not knowing."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_rm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Laugh to clear the air. "You're particularly brooding today."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		The unease draws a strangled laugh from my throat, which I try to turn into something more genuine to clear the odd atmosphere.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You're particularly brooding today," I comment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} snaps ${m_his} head up with a deepening frown. "What's that supposed to mean?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I hold up my hands as my laughter dies away beneath ${m_his} stern stare. "Nothing bad. You're just so serious. You normally have at least one snarky comment to make a day."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Maybe I already filled that quota before you got here?" ${m_she} retorts through a drawl of sarcasm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I glance about and raise a brow. "Seems like you wasted it then considering there's no one else around."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} scoffs and looks away, slapping ${m_his} hands down onto the pages of ${m_his} book. "Are you going to waste time trying piss me off, or are we actually going to get some work done?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Now it's my turn to frown.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"What's going on? What's with you today?" I hunch forward, concern building in my chest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		A ragged breath eases out from ${m_him}. "I just hate not knowing."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_rm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#"Maybe we should take a break for a bit?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		I examine ${m_his} hunched posture, as well as the uneasy air radiating from ${m_him}, before I dare to inch a little closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Perhaps we should take a break?" I suggest. When ${m_she} doesn't respond, I reach out and gently place a hand on ${m_his} knee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} glances at the touch before looking up to me. "I'll take a break when I actually find something."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if ((friendly >= 70)or(sarcastic <= 30))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			"Even vampires must need to clear their head a bit, right?" I offer a gentle smile along with the suggestion, hoping it might encourage ${m_him} more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			The frown that had settled across ${m_his} features relents at my gesture.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Sorry," ${m_she} grumbles. $!{m_she} hunches forward and rests ${m_his} forearms on ${m_his} book. "I just…I really hate not knowing." The admission falls unexpectedly soft and genuine from ${m_his} lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			*goto chap8_rm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"Even vampires must need to clear their head a bit, right?" I suggest with a shrug.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			The frown that had been settled across ${m_his} features deepens.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"No. And I'll keep going all day until I find something," ${m_she} shoots back.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"All right, that's enough! What's going on with you?" I ask, flinging my hands out with an exasperated sigh.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{m_his} lips purse for a moment at my blurted question. "I just hate not knowing!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			*goto chap8_rm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	#Lean back. "You must have found better information than I did."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		"You must have found better information than I managed to," I comment, glancing from ${m_him} to ${m_his} notepad and then back up. "What exactly have you been writing?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Any little detail I can find," ${m_she} responds while focusing back to scan the page ${m_she}'s on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I arch a brow and lean back on my hands. "That's a lot of little details. Are they going to help?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Tension knots into a deep frown across ${m_his} features. "No. I found crap."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Oh." I sigh. "Well, at least then I don't have to feel so bad about finding nothing too."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"We should both feel bad for finding fuck all," ${m_she} growls, punching a fist down onto the book.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} outburst makes my brows shoot up, but the way ${m_she} tightens ${m_his} fists further makes me think ${m_she}'s more frustrated with ${m_him}self than me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Is there something wrong?" I venture.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} releases a low grumble before admitting, "I just hate not knowing."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*goto chap8_rm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Snap, "Is there a problem you're not telling me about?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		$!{m_his} dismissal of my presence begins to irk me until it simmers and reaches boiling point. 

		I let it spill out of me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Is there a problem you're not telling me about?" I snap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} flicks ${m_his} head up and frowns. "What?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You've ignored me all morning," I state and then grit my teeth to cool my burst of anger. "Aren't we're supposed to be working on this together?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I work faster by myself," ${m_she} mumbles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I hunch forward with a frown. "And have you found anything I haven't?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It doesn't matter if I've found nothing yet. I have to keep going until I do!" $!{m_his} outburst makes my brows shoot up, but the way ${m_she} tightens ${m_his} fists makes me think ${m_she}'s more frustrated with ${m_him}self than me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I let the silence drag between us as we both cool off for a moment longer. "Are you going tell me what's wrong?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} releases a low grumble before admitting, "I just hate not knowing."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*goto chap8_rm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_rm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
"Not…knowing?" I repeat in slow words. "Not knowing about what?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"About all of this," ${m_she} groans, kicking at a couple of nearby books with the tip of ${m_his} boot.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"The Anunnaki?" I ask, trying to coax some actual answers out of ${m_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} growls low to ${m_him}self before springing onto ${m_his} feet and skulking towards the edge of the roof, ${m_his} back turned to me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I remain quiet, wondering if it's best to let ${m_him} process whatever it is ${m_she}'s obviously thinking on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Eventually, ${m_she} forces ${m_his} fingers through ${m_his} hair as ${m_his} shoulders drop. "Not knowing why I'm so goddamn scared if he takes you away from me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
My heart crashes against my ribs as ${m_his} words impact against me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Tilt head. "Why? Because protecting me is your job?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		"Why?" I tilt my head slightly as I look over ${m_him}, willing ${m_him} to respond as I hope ${m_she} will. "Because it's your job to protect me? Is that what you're saying?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{mason} glances back over ${m_his} shoulder for a second before scoffing. "I don't know what I'm saying."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Considering we came here to learn, you don't seem to know much at all," I reply, getting to my feet so that I can make my way over to stand at ${m_his} side.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} doesn't glance at my sudden presence beside ${m_him}, but I do notice ${m_his} body relax further. "Are you saying there's a book here that can figure it out for me?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I scan the old tomes and spread of journals before pursing my lips. "Probably not."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} chuckles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You didn't answer my question," I state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} lifts a brow and looks over at me, the sun casting a bright glow across ${m_his} long, sharp features and adding a glimmer to the deep grey of ${m_his} eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I almost forget what I was going to say as I gaze at ${m_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Question?" ${m_she} prompts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Oh," I clear my throat, "are you only worried because it's your job to protect me?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} brow creases as ${m_she} stares out over the fuzzy treetops spread before us. $!{m_his} fingers fall to the cigarette packet in ${m_his} pocket, fiddling with the rumpled lid before ${m_his} hand slides away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} turns to meet my eye. "No. I'm scared because I need you with me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*goto chap8_rmconnect                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	#Hesitate. "If it makes you this upset…then maybe you shouldn't worry about me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		Trying to find a response seems like an impossible task with ${m_his} words swirling about in my head and not letting me focus on much else.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Finally, I stand and make my way over to ${m_his} side. We both stare out across the fuzzy treetops until I let out a sigh and bow my head.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"If it makes you this upset, then maybe…maybe you shouldn't," I suggest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} gaze stays focused ahead. "Shouldn't worry about you?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I nod.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} scoffs and tilts ${m_his} head in my direction. "It's not exactly a choice, ${mname}. I can't turn it on and off."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I fold my arms, steadying myself for my next question, rolling my lips together to put it off for a second longer. "Would you turn it off if you could?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} frowns.
		
		…Suddenly I'm not sure if I want to know the answer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} hand drops to the cigarette packet in ${m_his} pocket, fiddling with the rumpled card lid before ${m_his} fingers slide away from it. There's a painfully long pause before ${m_she} turns back to meet my eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"No. I wouldn't."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_rmconnect                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	#Nudge ${m_him} lightly with a laugh. "Careful. Your soft side is showing through."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		The air bristles with ${m_his} unease and frustration, making me fidget on the spot.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (mname2 = "sunshine")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			I stand from my place and walk to ${m_his} side, giving ${m_him} a very light nudge with my elbow before chuckling. "Careful, sunshine. Your soft side is showing."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			*goto chap8_rmsoftside                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I stand from my place and walk to ${m_his} side, giving ${m_him} a very light nudge with my elbow before chuckling. "Careful. Your soft side is showing."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*goto chap8_rmsoftside                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*label chap8_rmsoftside                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (m_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			"There's definitely nothing soft about me, ${mname}," ${m_she} retorts with a familiar, inviting smirk that seems to crack through ${m_his} wall of tension.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			*goto chap8_rmsoftside2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"I don't do soft, ${mname}," ${m_she} retorts with a familiar, inviting smirk that seems to crack through ${m_his} wall of tension.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*goto chap8_rmsoftside2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*label chap8_rmsoftside2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		The sun glows across ${m_his} sharp features, glimmering in the depths of ${m_his} grey eyes as ${m_she} holds my gaze.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		The softened sight of ${m_him} sucks the air from my lungs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} smirk falters as the quiet between us persists. "I mean it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Hm?" I ask, my voice almost lost.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I am…," ${m_she} frowns, "I am worried about you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rmconnect   
	#Try to brush comment away. "It's probably because I'm part of your team now…right?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} words swirl inside my mind, trying to sink down into my chest and cause another thud of my heart so hard I worry it might burst out.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I get to my feet, hoping the noise will help cover my heartbeat from ${m_his} sensitive hearing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Well," I begin, casting my gaze about as though I might find the perfect response written on one of the walls. "You're probably just concerned about it because I'm a part of your team now…right?" I don't mean for my voice to squeak so high at the end of the question.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} shoulders bob up in a sharp shrug. "Maybe."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I ease my way closer, coming to stand at ${m_his} side. $!{m_she} stares hard out over the fuzzy treetops, but my focus is too captured by the way the sun glows across ${m_his} sharp features and adds a glimmer to the deep grey of ${m_his} eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		The highlighted sight of ${m_him} sucks the air from my lungs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I force in a breath to bring me back to the moment. "I'm sure you worry about everyone in Unit Bravo this much."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I do," ${m_she} states, ${m_his} hand falling to the cigarette packet in ${m_his} pocket, fiddling with the rumpled card lid before letting ${m_his} fingers slide away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I nod slowly and make to turn away, but ${m_his} hand falls onto my arm to keep me there.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I turn to meet ${m_his} eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"But…not in the same way," ${m_she} finishes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_rmconnect 
	#Shrug. "I don't think that's something I can help you with."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		With a short breath, I stand from my place and walk to ${m_his} side, both of us staring out over the fuzzy treetops.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I shrug. "I don't think that's something I can help you with."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You could try not getting kidnapped," ${m_she} responds with a familiar teasing smirk. The sight of it helps crack through the wall of tension ${m_she}'d erected.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if ((charming <= 35)or(friendly <= 35))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			"That is always my main plan," I state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			*goto chap8_rmforyou                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*elseif ((charming >= 70)or(sarcastic >= 70))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			I give a faux roll of my eyes. "Well, I suppose I'll try. Just for you, of course."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*goto chap8_rmforyou                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"I mean, that was kind of my plan already," I reply with a smile.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*goto chap8_rmforyou	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		*label chap8_rmforyou                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} chuckles, and the sound of it has the butterflies in my stomach doing somersaults.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		When ${m_she} tilts ${m_his} head around to face me again as I do my best to get the sensation under control.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I don't know why, but I am," ${m_she} says.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I raise my brows. "Am what?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Worried." ${m_she} frowns. "Worried about [i]you[/i]."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rmconnect                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_rmconnect                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
My ears seem to pop beneath the weight that those words bring with them, as though the pressure of the air itself has become thick with something I can't quite put my finger on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
An odd fizz of anticipation and nerves stir inside of me as our gazes are frozen on each other's.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
$!{m_his} hand inches across the gap, ${m_his} fingertips brushing against the back of my hand, and a surge of tingling pleasure erupts out from the gentle contact.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I can see ${m_him} swallow hard, and I understand why. If ${m_she}'s feeling anything like I am, then ${m_his} heart must be in ${m_his} throat, the only thing audible being the blood rushing through my ears.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
But what I have come to expect as a sexually charged air from ${m_him} doesn't manifest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Instead it's something else.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]A connection[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
A connection so strong and overpowering it's like being in the middle of a blazing fire, smoke obscuring everything around until it's just us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And I'm not entirely sure I can withstand the flames.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (callme = "Detective")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	$!{m_his} hand reaches up towards me. "$!{name}—"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I almost choke on my held breath as ${m_his} words are halted when ${m_she} knocks over an unsteady pile of books.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	*goto chap8_rmexplain                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	$!{m_his} hand reaches up towards me. "$!{callme}—"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I almost choke on my held breath as ${m_his} words are halted when ${m_she} knocks over an unsteady pile of books.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	*goto chap8_rmexplain                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
*label chap8_rmexplain                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Books topple out in a fan around us, pages flapping in the slight breeze.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The motion douses across the wildfire that had engulfed us, ripping us out of the moment and back to reality.

${mason} quickly swings away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I bite at my lower lip, attempting to get my senses back under control. I glance away for a moment, my scan passing over the open books…and then stopping.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And there he is: the Anunnaki.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Well, sort of.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The page has an old sepia ink drawing of a female Anunnaki, notes and sketches made of her wings and body. A scrawl of tiny cursive handwriting marks the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Hey, I think I found something," I say, stooping down to retrieve the book, running my hand over the page to unwrinkle the aged parchment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{mason} shifts on the spot for a moment before reluctantly stepping closer to take a look. "What is it? It doesn't look like one of the books I was reading."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I flip the cover over to read the title. "That's because it's a journal. An old one by the looks of it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Opening the book again, my eyes dart to a particularly messy section of notes that's less faded than the rest. "The Anunnaki, as with most Celestial beings, are some of the most powerful in the known worlds." I roll my eyes. "Wonderful."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{mason} angles closer to read on. "But for all of their power, they have a defining weakness." $!{m_she} meets my eye for a moment before continuing. "They are a soul-bonded race of beings, weak to the one bond that they may form with another. If a bond is formed, there is no way to break it, and the Celestial being is bound to their soulbond's bidding, or face being weakened by the bond…sometimes fatally so."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I tip my head up from the book as I think over this new information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Frown dejectedly. "So…he may be being forced to do this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		A sadness sinks in my stomach at this information. "So the Anunnaki we faced may be being forced to do this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Fuck," ${mason} breathes out, echoing my sentiments exactly. "Great, now this is going to get a whole shitload more complicated."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"But if he's being forced into this, then maybe we can help him somehow?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} sighs. "I'm more concerned with making sure whoever is controlling him doesn't get what they want. We'll get you safe first, then worry about that winged asshole."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_rmexplain2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	#Blow out a breath. "Well, that explains a lot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		I let out a long sigh, my breath making the pages of the journal shiver. "Well, that certainly explains a lot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It might explain some shit, but it doesn't change anything. Even if someone is pulling his strings, he's still after you. We get you safe first." $!{m_she} looks up from the book to me. "No matter what."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rmexplain2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	#Grimace. "I don't know what soul-bonded is, but it sounds horrible."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		"I don't know what soul-bonded is, but it sounds pretty terrible," I say with a grimace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"One of the others might know," ${m_she} suggests with a shrug. "If not them, then someone at the Agency definitely will."   

		"Let's hope so."
		
		"But this doesn't change anything," ${m_she} states, looking from the book up to me. "Even if someone is pulling his strings, he's still after you. We get you safe first. No matter what."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rmexplain2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Raise a brow. "You think we could use this to our advantage?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		I lift a brow, reading over the words again, as well as the possible implications. "Do you think we could use this to our advantage?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"How? By being the ones to pull his strings instead?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I give a shrug and tug my lips down in a 'maybe' expression.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Because taking control of a winged giant is such a great idea," ${m_she} scoffs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I hold up my hand while balancing the book in the other. "It was just a suggestion."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Well, whatever we do, first priority has to be to make sure you're safe." $!{m_she} holds my eye. "No matter what."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rmexplain2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	#Think for a moment. "There's no way we can know if this is true."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		I scan the words again, the scribbled handwriting faded from age and almost translucent in the sunlight. "There's no way to confirm this could all be true. This is obviously the writing of someone long ago."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"One of the others might have a better idea."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Let's hope so."
		
		"But this doesn't change anything," ${m_she} states, looking from the book up to me. "Even if someone is pulling his strings, he's still after you. We get you safe first. No matter what."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_rmexplain2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
*label chap8_rmexplain2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
After quickly reading the page once more, I notice ${mason} has gone strangely quiet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Something wrong?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"That word, 'soul-bond'. I've read it today already," ${m_she} states, bending down to begin shuffling through the Agency reports. A few papers waft into the air as ${m_she} swipes them away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I step closer, clutching the book to my chest. "Found anything?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} grips a handwritten report before nodding. "This one. See?" $!{m_she} points out a small section, so I lean closer to read.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]'Unit Tango were successful in arresting a group of Trappers at the edge of Wayhaven's borders. We're unsure what they were attempting, but it looks like some kind of ritual. We consulted Jong-Soo of Unit Romeo, who said the ritual appeared to be attempting some kind of 'soul-bonding' effect, but according to him, 'soul-bonding' is connected to soul magic. What was performed here would have mimicked the effects, but not been a true soul-bond.'[/i]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Huh," I let out. "When was this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} curls the paper back in my hand to take a look at the date in the corner. "A few months ago."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"You think it's related to what we're dealing with?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I'd be shocked if it wasn't," ${m_she} replies with a slight shrug. "We really need to tell the others about this."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Yeah, agreed," I say, looking over the report a final time. "Come on." I begin walking towards the window that will take us back inside, only noticing after a few steps that ${mason} isn't following.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I glance back at ${m_him}. "Everything okay?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} examines me through a narrowed stare for the longest moment before shaking ${m_his} head. "I have no idea…" $!{m_she} rushes past me in a blur of motion and is through the window before I can even begin to work out what that's supposed to mean.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
*finish Next Chapter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Seeing as I'm staying with the group, it was decided we might as well take the opportunity to do the research on the Anunnaki we'd discussed. I already agreed I'd meet $!{adam} to get a head start on it, so I make my way to the kitchen to find ${a_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*goto chap8_ra2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Swinging open the door to the kitchen, I expect to find ${adam} waiting to lead me to the library after I grab a ${pastry}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Instead, I stagger a step in the doorway as I stare at the scene of ${adam} hunched over the large wooden table, a spread of open books and files in an organised arc around ${a_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Good morning, Detective," ${a_she} states without looking up from where ${a_she}'s scanning one of the files.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Morning," I mumble as I step inside and close the door behind me. "We're not heading to the library then?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{a_she} flicks ${a_his} green gaze my way before snapping it back to the book and turning over a handwritten report. "The light seemed…more conducive to productive work in this room."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The early morning sun is indeed wonderfully golden as it glitters through the windows and highlights the room in its warm summer glow. Much better than the stuffy false light that's needed for working in the library below ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Smile. "I didn't expect that from you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		A smile pulls at my lips before I can stop it. "I didn't expect that from you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Expect what, exactly?" ${a_she} asks, pausing ${a_his} reading in order to lean back in ${a_his} chair and examine me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Your reason to be so…romantic," I decide on. "It is a beautiful day, but you don't seem to notice things like that most of the time."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} stares at me for a while longer before dropping ${a_his} gaze and leaning over the file again. "I notice the important things. The important people." $!{a_she} pauses. "More than you might think."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		My breath stutters at ${a_his} words, but I ignore the small flutter of hope that bubbles in my chest, shaking it away and stepping closer towards the table with steady steps.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		As I approach, I take quick note of the way ${a_his} shoulders relax as I near.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		*goto chap8_ra3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Chuckle. "You could just say you don't like the library."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		"You know, you're allowed to admit that you just don't like the library," I say with a laugh hanging on the words. "Though maybe not around ${nate}."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		A frown crumples ${a_his} brow. "It's not that I do not like the space, but the light here is—"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"More conducive to productive work," I say, repeating ${a_his} earlier excuse.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		The smallest flicker of a smile plays at the corners of ${a_his} lips. It's the only response I get.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"All right, fine. Then I guess here is where we'll be working." I move closer towards the table, taking quick note of the way ${a_his} shoulders relax as I approach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_ra3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Arch brow. "Wouldn't the library be a better space for this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		"But still, wouldn't the library be a better space for research?" I ask, arching a brow as I stare about the kitchen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Why? I have brought everything we should need," ${a_she} replies, spreading ${a_his} hands out to indicate at the books which are piled atop the table as well as on the floor. "If we require anything more, then I can easily obtain it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I pause for a moment before sighing. "I guess you did already bring everything up here…."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} nods. "Then take a seat so as we can begin."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I roll my eyes at the order, but do step closer to begin helping out. As I approach, I take quick note of the way ${a_his} shoulders relax as I near.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_ra3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#"I figured you'd avoid sunlight—with it weakening you and all."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		"I figured you'd avoid a sunny room," I say, slicing my hand into a beam of sunlight and letting the warmth dance against my skin. "It does weaken you, doesn't it?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_his} brow crumples into a frown. "We are not at our strongest in sunlight, but I am in no way weak." $!{a_she} lets out a breath and stares back down at ${a_his} book. "And I have no reason to be on guard around y—in the warehouse."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I lift a brow but don't say anything at the stumble to ${a_his} words. Instead, I make my way closer, taking quick note of the way ${a_his} shoulders relax as I approach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_ra3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Say nothing and just move closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		It's as good a reason as any, and the library isn't that far away if we need anything more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		So I move closer to get to work too, taking quick note of the way ${a_his} shoulders relax as I approach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_ra3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I am working through recent reports of Trapper activity in the area over the past few months," ${a_she} states, patting the neatly stacked heap of files before ${a_him}. "I thought your task could involve finding information on the Anunnaki."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I nod at the plan as I grab my drink and then settle into the seat opposite ${adam}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"How you go about such a thing is entirely up to you." $!{a_she} goes back to ${a_his} own task, already noting down a few things on a notepad beside ${a_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I scan the available avenues open to me, noticing the old journals, fable books, and ancient informational tomes from times gone by. There is also the much more modern side of research, with a closed laptop sitting at one end of the table.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
A few reports have been set aside as well, ${adam} either not needing them or planning to use them later.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Take a more modern and technical approach to the task.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*set science %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*set approach "sci"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		"I think I'll take a look on the internet or even the Agency database," I state, dragging the laptop closer and opening it up to reveal a clean desktop with only one icon on it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"As you wish," ${a_she} says with a nod.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I grab one of the empty notepads for myself and settle into work, clearing my mind so that I can fully focus on the task…which is made more difficult than expected as ${adam}'s leg brushes against mine beneath the table.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} snaps it away and clears ${a_his} throat, angling ${a_him}self in the chair so that it won't happen again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I grit my teeth against the sudden beat of my pulse and stare intently at the screen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*goto chap8_ra4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Start with the myths from Babylon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*set deduction %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*set approach "ded"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		"The Anunnaki stories originated in Babylon, right?" I ask.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} nods. "As far as we are aware."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Then I think I'll start there. At the very beginning." I state, starting to search through the aged books for ones that might be useful.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"As you wish," ${a_she} says with a nod.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I grab one of the empty notepads for myself and settle into work, clearing my mind so that I can fully focus on the task…which is made more difficult than expected as ${adam}'s leg brushes against mine beneath the table.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} snaps it away and clears ${a_his} throat, angling ${a_him}self in the chair so that it won't happen again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I grit my teeth against the sudden beat of my pulse and yank open one of the books.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		*goto chap8_ra4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Focus on finding out what the Anunnaki are like.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*set people %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*set approach "pep"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		"The Anunnaki may have a lot of myths about them, but they're still real people," I say, speaking my thoughts aloud more to myself than ${adam}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Yes," ${a_she} replies slowly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I drag a few files and some of the journals closer towards me. "Then maybe there are some accounts of actual meetings with them that might help us. I'm going to start there."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"As you wish," ${a_she} says with a nod.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I grab one of the empty notepads for myself and settle into work, clearing my mind so that I can fully focus on the task…which is made more difficult than expected as ${adam}'s leg brushes against mine beneath the table.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} snaps it away and clears ${a_his} throat, angling ${a_him}self in the chair so that it won't happen again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I grit my teeth against the sudden beat of my pulse and yank open one of the journals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_ra4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#See if there's been any past confrontations with them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*set combat %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*set approach "com"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		"The Agency know about the Anunnaki," I say, tapping my chin in thought as I speak.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Yes," ${a_she} replies slowly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I drag a few of the Agency report files closer towards me. "Then it's likely there's been confrontations with them. And if people have gone up against them before, then they might have learned tactics we haven't thought of."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{adam} gives an impressed nod. "A clever thought."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Thanks." I grab one of the empty notepads for myself and settle into work, clearing my mind so that I can fully focus on the task…which is made more difficult than expected as ${adam}'s leg brushes against mine beneath the table.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} snaps it away and clears ${a_his} throat, angling ${a_him}self in the chair so that it won't happen again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I grit my teeth against the sudden beat of my pulse and and yank open one of the reports.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*goto chap8_ra4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
The morning passes in comfortable silence, both of us working through our tasks with surprising efficiency.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
At least until a small thud begins to pound at my temples, my vision blurring slightly as I end up reading the same sentence over and over.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Is everything all right?" The focused atmosphere in the room seems to shatter as ${adam}'s words crack through the companionable quiet which had reigned over us for hours.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I rub at my eyes before sliding my fingers to my temples and massaging small circles over the throbbing pain. "Just a headache."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (pastry = "water")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	$!{adam}'s gaze inspects me closely before falling to my workspace and then my glass, still full of water.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	*goto chap8_ra5z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
*elseif (pastry = "coffee")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	$!{adam}'s gaze inspects me closely before falling to my workspace and then my mug, still full of—now cold, slightly congealed—coffee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	*goto chap8_ra5z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	$!{adam}'s gaze inspects me closely before falling to my workspace and then my mug, still full of—now cold—tea.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	*goto chap8_ra5z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_ra5z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"It is hardly a wonder as to why," ${a_she} reprimands with a frown. "Have you drunk nothing at all?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I shrug. "I forgot. I was trying to get as much done as possible."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"At the sacrifice of your own health?" ${a_she} barks back with a shake of ${a_his} head, standing so forcefully that ${a_his} chair shoots back a couple of feet behind ${a_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I stare at ${a_his} sudden stance. "It's not like I meant to forget…."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (pastry = "water")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	$!{a_she} grabs up my drink and marches towards the sink, splashing the clear liquid out and rinsing the glass.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (romance = "adamnate")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		$!{a_she} then pauses and glances over ${a_his} shoulder at me. "Do you wish for something other than water?" $!{a_his} lips purse. "I suppose ${nate} would know such a thing without asking…." The words are muttered, but I just about catch them, and they send my heart into a tailspin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Uh, no. Water is fine," I mutter in return, keeping my gaze on the table as I fiddle with a pen to try and calm that battering of my pulse inside my veins.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		*goto chap8_ra5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		$!{a_she} then pauses and glances over ${a_his} shoulder at me. "Do you wish for something other than water?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Are you seriously getting me a drink?" I ask, trying to contain a smile with the words. "You know [i]that[/i] water would have been fine."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It was warm." $!{a_his} nose wrinkles as ${a_she} shakes ${a_his} head. "I remember vividly the taste of luke-warm water."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Then a glass of cold water will be great, thanks," I reply, unable to hold the amusement from my voice this time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_ra5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*elseif (pastry = "coffee")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	$!{a_she} grabs up my drink and marches towards the sink, splashing the brown liquid out and rinsing the mug.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (romance = "adamnate")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		$!{a_she} then pauses and glances over ${a_his} shoulder at me. "How do you take your coffee?" $!{a_his} lips purse. "I suppose ${nate} already knows such a thing…." The words are muttered, but I just about catch them, and they send my heart into a tailspin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I mutter my preference in reply, keeping my gaze on the table as I fiddle with a pen to try and calm that battering of my pulse inside my veins.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_ra5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		$!{a_she} then pauses and glances over ${a_his} shoulder at me. "How do you take your coffee?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Are you seriously making me a drink?" I ask, trying to contain a smile with the words. "You know that coffee probably would have been fine."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It was cold." $!{a_his} nose wrinkles as ${a_she} shakes ${a_his} head. "I remember vividly the taste of cold beverages that are meant to be served hot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I tell ${a_him} my preference in reply, unable to hold the amusement from my voice this time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*goto chap8_ra5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	$!{a_she} grabs up my drink and marches towards the sink, splashing the amber liquid out and rinsing the mug.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (romance = "adamnate")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		$!{a_she} then pauses and glances over ${a_his} shoulder at me. "How do you take your tea?" $!{a_his} lips purse. "I suppose ${nate} already knows such a thing…." The words are muttered, but I just about catch them, and they send my heart into a tailspin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I mutter my preference, keeping my gaze on the table as I fiddle with a pen to try and calm that battering of my pulse inside my veins.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_ra5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		$!{a_she} then pauses and glances over ${a_his} shoulder at me. "How do you take your tea?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Are you seriously making me a drink?" I ask, trying to contain a smile with the words. "You know that tea probably would have been fine."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It was cold." $!{a_his} nose wrinkles as ${a_she} shakes ${a_his} head. "I remember vividly the taste of cold beverages that are meant to be served hot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I tell ${a_him} my preference in reply, unable to hold the amusement from my voice this time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*goto chap8_ra5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
My headache still throbs like a fist smashing against my skull, but watching ${adam} move about the kitchen helps ease the pain. $!{a_she} pops a couple of slices of bread into the toaster, then reaches up to grab a plate—the cupboard ${a_she} retrieves it from virtually empty except the plate and one bowl—and sets it down in preparation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
It's just so…normal. So everyday. So domestic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Of all the things I think of ${adam}, domestic is definitely not one of them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
But ${a_she} doesn't look uncomfortable or out of place—which is impressive seeing as I doubt ${a_she}'s used a kitchen in centuries—${a_she}'s instead as confident in the environment as ${a_she} seems to be in the training room.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I frown, the scene a reminder of how much I don't know about ${a_him}…and just how desperately I want to learn more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*if (pastry = "water")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	"Here," ${a_she} says, placing down the glass and the slices of buttery toast in front of me. The smell of them makes my stomach cramp and growl.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*goto chap8_ra6
*else 	
	"Here," ${a_she} says, placing down the mug and the slices of buttery toast in front of me. The smell of them makes my stomach cramp and growl.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*goto chap8_ra6
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_ra6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
"Thank you," I reply, already bringing the toast to my mouth and biting off a chunk. I flutter my eyes closed for a moment to savour the taste. When I open them, I find ${adam} gazing at me with parted lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
$!{a_she} quickly snaps ${a_his} gaze away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I swipe a few stray crumbs from my lips, the motion attracting ${adam}'s focus once more. "So, did you find anything?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{a_she} shakes ${a_his} head and falls back against ${a_his} seat with a long breath. "Nothing that would be of any use to this mission." $!{a_she} spreads ${a_his} tense fingers onto the tabletop. "Training you in defense would have been a better use of our time."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Smile. "We've only been going for a few hours. I'm sure we'll find something."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*if (a_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			I reach across the table, placing my hand on top of ${a_his} as I offer an encouraging smile. "Don't worry. We've only been at this for a few hours. I'm sure we'll find something."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*goto chap8_amanorwo                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I reach across the table, placing my hand on top of ${a_his}s as I offer an encouraging smile. "Don't worry. We've only been at this for a few hours. I'm sure we'll find something."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			*goto chap8_amanorwo                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*label chap8_amanorwo	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (romance = "adamnate")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			$!{a_she} sighs, hunching further forward with ${a_his} shoulders drooped. "Maybe you're correct. As I am often reminded by ${nate}, the longer something takes, the more worthwhile it is—" $!{a_his} words stumble to a halt. $!{nate}'s name reverberating around the room with a hollow echo that makes my heart squeeze painfully.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if (ntogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				I slide my hand back from ${adam}'s and clear my throat. "${nate}'s good at advice."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				*goto chap8_ralt1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				$!{adam} slides ${a_his} hand out from beneath mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				"$!{nate}'s good at advice," I say, trying to distract from the steadily building tension in the air.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				*goto chap8_ralt1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			$!{a_she} sighs, hunching further forward with ${a_his} shoulders drooped. "Maybe you're correct. As I am often reminded by ${nate}, the longer something takes, the more worthwhile it is when achieved."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			It's hard to ignore the way ${a_she} gazes at me after those words. As though they hold far more meaning than the simple statement would let on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Do you apply that to all things in life?" I ask before I can stop myself.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{a_his} gaze drops to our hands, ${a_his} fingers surprisingly relaxed beneath my touch. "I…." $!{a_she} seems to choke on ${a_his} next words before instead nodding and saying, "I guess we shall see."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			*goto chap8_ra8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	#Sigh. "Maybe you're right. Sorry, I thought we'd find something."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		"Maybe you're right." I ease out a long breath and stare down at the table. "I'm sorry. I really thought we'd find something."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I can feel ${a_his} gaze on me as I keep my focus dipped. I almost flinch when ${a_his} hand reaches out and slides on top of mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"No, I am sorry. I should not discourage you from the task that we are already working on." $!{a_she} nods at the files and books spread about us on the table. "We will find something buried amongst all of this."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		
		*if ((charming <= 35)or(friendly <= 35))
			My brow quirks up at ${a_his} sudden encouragement. "Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			*goto chap8_amurmurl
		*else
			A murmured laugh escapes me at ${a_his} sudden encouragement. "Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			*goto chap8_amurmurl
		*label chap8_amurmurl	
		
		$!{a_his} lips ease into a gentle smile that steals away any rational thought I might have. "Possibly both of us."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Well, it's working." The words leave me more breathily than I had intended.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_his} gaze drops to our hands, ${a_his} fingers warm and relaxed against mine. "I…." $!{a_she} seems to choke on ${a_his} next words before instead nodding and saying, "I am glad."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_ra8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Chuckle. "Wow, it only took a few hours for you to give up?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		"Wow," I say through a breathy laugh as I glance at the clock on my phone. "That must be record time on you giving up. It's only been a few hours since we started."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} purses ${a_his} lips for a moment. "In a few hours of training, I could have taught you much more on how to defend yourself. On how to ensure you stay safe. On how you—"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (a_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			I reach out to place my hand on top of ${a_his} and pause ${a_his} lecture. "I was only joking." Sighing, I nod my head at the books and files spread around us. "I'm sure there's something here. Don't worry."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			*goto chap8_amanorowo2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I reach out to place my hand on top of ${a_his}s and pause ${a_his} lecture. "I was only joking." Sighing, I nod my head at the books and files spread around us. "I'm sure there's something here. Don't worry."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			*goto chap8_amanorowo2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*label chap8_amanorowo2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Worrying is my job," ${a_she} replies, a small flicker of a smile at the corners of ${a_his} lips that make my heart skip a beat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Well, why don't you focus on this job instead of your worrying job for now, hm?" I suggest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_his} gaze drops to our hands, ${a_his} fingers surprisingly relaxed beneath my touch. "I…." $!{a_she} seems to choke on ${a_his} next words before instead nodding and saying, "I shall try my best."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_ra8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#"Training is far more effective when you know your enemy."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		"You of all people must know that training can be more focused and more effective when you know who it is you're training to fight," I state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_his} lips thin into a tight line for a moment before ${a_she} blows out a breath. "I cannot deny it. But we have found nothing after hours of work. At least with training you would have learnt something by now."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (a_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			The worry that laces every feature of ${a_his} face has me reaching out to ${a_him}, my hand sliding onto ${a_his}. "We'll find something."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			*goto chap8_amanorowo3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			The worry that laces every feature of ${a_his} face has me reaching out to ${a_him}, my hand sliding onto ${a_his}s. "We'll find something."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			*goto chap8_amanorowo3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*label chap8_amanorowo3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You sound so certain of our outcome," ${a_she} replies, a small flicker of a smile at the corners of ${a_his} lips that make my heart skip a beat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Because I am." I nod to the spread of books and files around us. "There has to be something here that is going to help."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_his} gaze drops to our hands, ${a_his} fingers surprisingly relaxed beneath my touch. "I…." $!{a_she} seems to choke on ${a_his} next words before instead nodding and saying, "Then I shall remain until we've found it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_ra8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ralt1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"${nate} is accomplished at many things," ${a_she} mutters, then flicks ${a_his} gaze up from the tabe to hold my eye. "More than I. Even if I wish…."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I swallow hard, trying to force down the uncertain well of uncomfortable emotion which lodges in my throat. "Wish what?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{a_she} snaps back in the chair and pulls a file up in front of ${a_him}. "Nothing. We should continue on."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I nod, even if ${a_she} doesn't see it, and get back to my own research, hoping beyond hope that it will be enough to distract me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*goto chap8_ra82                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
After that, we return to work…even if the research struggles to hold my attention with ${adam} oh-so close.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*goto chap8_ra82                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra82                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
More hours pass, and a nagging knot of doubt begins to crawl and weave inside of my mind, spreading its tendrils into my shoulders and making them tense.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]Maybe there is just nothing to find?[/i]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The thought tightens the knot of doubt until I have to stand from the chair and pace a few steps away just to ease it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Is everything all right, Detective?" ${adam} asks, placing down ${a_his} pen to turn fully towards me in ${a_his} chair.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (mc_haircut = "bald")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	I rub my hands over my scalp before letting them fall to my sides with a huff. Sitting on the edge of the table, I turn to ${a_him} with a small frown. "I was just thinking."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*goto chap8_ra9                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*elseif (mc_haircut = "very short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	I rub my hands over my hair before letting them fall to my sides with a huff. Sitting on the edge of the table, I turn to ${a_him} with a small frown. "I was just thinking."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	*goto chap8_ra9                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	I run my fingers through my hair before letting them fall to my sides with a huff. Sitting on the edge of the table, I turn to ${a_him} with a small frown. "I was just thinking."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	*goto chap8_ra9                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*label chap8_ra9                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Thinking of?" ${a_she} prompts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"What…." Although my previous thoughts form at the tip of my tongue, another question pours from me instead. "What would you do if I was taken?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The query doesn't prompt the surprise I was expecting from ${a_him}, but instead ${a_his} features tighten as ${a_his} fists clench.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
For a long moment, I wonder if I'm going to get an answer at all, but eventually ${a_she} stands from ${a_his} place and walks towards me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Each step ${a_she} takes closer sends a jolt writhing through my body. The air grows with a silent weight as the warmth of ${a_him} approaches. My breath sticks in my throat as we finally almost come chest to chest when ${a_she} draws to a reluctant stop.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{a_his} gaze traces the outline of my face before meeting my eyes once more. An intense depth swirls inside the icy green of those eyes, and I'm happy to be lost to it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I would stop at nothing until you were back with me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{a_his} words pierce through me, pinning me in place, forcing my body to respond with such force that I struggle to even comprehend the sudden rush of emotion that surges through me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I'm not sure if the heavy breathing is ${a_him} or me…or both. It's all I can hear in the silent space around us as ${a_his} words continue to fight for sole attention in my mind.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (bold >= 70)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	It's impossible not to seize this moment when the whole world seems to be screaming to do so.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I rise from the table to close the gap between us….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	And send a pile of old journals crashing onto the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	*goto chap8_ra10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	It seems impossible for one of us not to seize the moment when the whole world seems to be screaming at us to do so.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (gender = "female")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		$!{adam} leans closer, resting a hand on the table next to my hip….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		And sends a pile of old journals crashing onto the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_ra10a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		$!{adam} leans closer, resting a hand on the table next to my side….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		And sends a pile of old journals crashing onto the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_ra10a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
"Ah crap," I stumble out, flicking my head around to take in the the mess of books littering around us. "Sorry."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{adam} reels a few steps away and shakes ${a_him}self out of the heated bubble we'd found ourselves in. "There is no need to apologise."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I stoop down to begin gathering up the weathered journals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Allow me to help," ${a_she} offers, bending down but keeping a good distance between us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Thanks…," I offer, my gratitude becoming mumbled as my eye catches something in one of the fallen journals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
*goto chap8_ra11                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra10a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
"I, uh—" ${adam} stumbles out some muttered words, reeling a few steps away from me and shaking ${a_him}self out of the heated bubble we'd found ourselves in. "I apologise." $!{a_she} immediately stoops down to begin gathering up the weathered books.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Here. Let me help…," I offer, my own words becoming mumbled as my eye catches something in one of the fallen journals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*goto chap8_ra11                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_ra11                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
And there he is: the Anunnaki.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Well, sort of.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The page has an old sepia ink drawing of a female Anunnaki, notes and sketches made of her wings and body. A scrawl of tiny cursive handwriting marks the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Hey, take a look at this," I say, gesturing with a hand towards ${adam} without removing my focus from the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{adam} shifts closer as we both stand up. "You've finally found something?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
My eyes dart to a particularly messy section of notes that's less faded faded than the rest. "The Anunnaki, as with most Celestial beings, are some of the most powerful in the known worlds." I roll my eyes. "Wonderful."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"It may not be as bad as you fear," ${a_she} says, pointing at the next section of notes for me to read.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"But for all of their power, they have a defining weakness." Now we're getting somewhere. "They are a soul-bonded race of beings, weak to the one bond that they may form with another. If a bond is formed, there is no way to break it, and the Celestial being is bound to their soulbond's bidding, or face being weakened by the bond…sometimes fatally so."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I lean back from the book with a shake of my head.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Frown dejectedly. "So…he may be being forced to do this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		A sadness sinks in my stomach at this information. "So the Anunnaki we faced may be being forced to do this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It would not be the first time we've encountered people being used against their will," ${adam} states with a hiss of venom that makes me wonder if the comment hits a little more personal than expected.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"And what do we do if he is?" I ask.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I'm unsure," ${a_she} replies. "But this 'soul-bonding' came up in one of the recent Agency reports I was reading." $!{a_she} swings around and begins lifting reports from the neat pile next to ${a_his} notebook. "Here."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*goto chap8_ra12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Blow out a breath. "Well, that explains a lot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		I let out a long sigh, my breath making the pages of the journal shudder. "Well, that certainly explains a lot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It explains a few things, but we still have no true understanding of the situation," ${adam} replies before swinging around to the table. "But I may have something that might help clarify it further."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"What?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} pulls a report out and holds it towards me. "The word 'soul-bonded' was in one of the recent Agency reports I sifted through."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*goto chap8_ra12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Grimace. "I don't know what soul-bonded is, but it sounds horrible."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		"I don't know what soul-bonded is, but it sounds pretty terrible," I say with a grimace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Unfortunately, magic is not all the rainbows and fairy-dust some make it out to be," ${adam} remarks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		My brows shoot up so fast it makes me lean back. "I didn't ever expect to hear you say something like that."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It is the truth." $!{a_she} swings back to the table and begins sifting through the neat stack of piled reports next to ${a_his} notepad. "But speaking of magic, I saw 'soul-bond' in one of the reports I scanned today."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		*goto chap8_ra12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Raise a brow. "You think we could use this to our advantage?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		I lift a brow, reading over the words again and what this could possibly mean. "Do you think we could use this to our advantage?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"How exactly would you suggest we do that?" ${a_she} asks, not seeming completely closed to the idea.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Maybe we could take over control?" I suggest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{adam}'s expression stiffens. "I would be uncomfortable with such action even if we could."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I shrug. "It was just a suggestion."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"But I do have something that might give us a different advantage," ${a_she} comments, swinging around to begin sifting through a neatly stacked pile of reports next to ${a_his} notepad.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"What is it?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} offers me a file. "A recent Agency report that mentions 'soul-bonding'."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_ra12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Think for a moment. "There's no way we can know if this is true."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		I scan the words again, the scribbled handwriting faded from age and looking almost translucent in the sunlight. "There's no way to confirm this could all be true. This is obviously the writing of someone long ago."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"That may be, but not everything from centuries past is useless, Detective," ${a_she} replies, and it's difficult to tell whether ${a_she}'s making a joke or not. "But I do have something that might lend more credibility to the theory."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		"What is it?" I ask.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{a_she} sifts through a neatly stacked pile of reports before pulling one out and offering it to me. "A recent encounter that references 'soul-bonding'."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*goto chap8_ra12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
*label chap8_ra12    

I raise a brow, waiting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{a_she} slides one of the marked files out from the pile and shuffles through the papers inside. "Take a look."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I take the papers, scanning it quickly, my gaze drawn directly to the word we're speaking of.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]'Unit Tango were successful in arresting a group of Trappers at the edge of Wayhaven's borders. We're unsure what they were attempting, but it looks like some kind of ritual. We consulted Jong-Soo of Unit Romeo, who said the ritual appeared to be attempting some kind of 'soul-bonding' effect, but according to him, 'soul-bonding' is connected to soul magic. What was performed here would have mimicked the effects, but not been a true soul-bond.'[/i]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Huh," I let out. "When was this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Not long past," ${adam} states without needing to look at the date.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I pinch at my lower lip and then look over at ${a_him}. "Do you think this really could be connected?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"It seems most likely." $!{a_she} says, taking the report and scanning over it with a quick glance. "Coincidences in our line of work are rare."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Then we better go tell the others."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Agreed," ${a_she} replies, already heading towards the door. "Gathering their input on this would be most valuable."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Making my way to follow, I glance back at the kitchen table—and the lingering emotion which tingles in the air—before turning away and exiting the room, closing the door firmly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
*finish Next Chapter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_rfriend                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Unit Bravo are all out on extra patrols, so I take advantage of the quiet in order to start the research on the Anunnaki we'd discussed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Making my way to the library, I smile at the selection of books, journals, and Agency reports laid out in neat piles on the table.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
A small note is amongst them:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]'This is the most relevant research material I could find for you[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]I hope it's of some use. Don't spend all day in here. Get some reviving fresh air as well[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]Yours kindly[/i],                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]$!{nate}[/i].'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
My smile only grows at the note before turning to the mountain of work to tackle. But I have to start somewhere, so I decide the best way is…                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#…take a more modern and technical approach to the task.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*set science %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*set approach "sci"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		All of the books and journals are great, but I can't help but feel modern technology might get through this a whole lot faster.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		It doesn't take too long to head back to my room for my laptop before returning, and I nestle the machine in amongst the paper and settle down to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		*goto chap8_rfriend2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	#…starting with myths from Babylon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*set deduction %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*set approach "ded"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		Starting at the very beginning seems like the best approach, so that's exactly what I do. Grabbing the books related to Babylon or Babylonian myths, I settle down to work, picking up the nearby pen and jotting down anything even remotely related to the Anunnaki.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		*goto chap8_rfriend2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	#…finding out more about the Anunnaki as a people.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*set people %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*set approach "pep"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		Although there seem to be only stories and myths about the Anunnaki, there must be more solid information on them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		With a decided nod, I take the seat and settle down to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		*goto chap8_rfriend2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	#…researching any past confrontations with the Anunnaki.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*set combat %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*set approach "com"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		The best approach might be to find out about any past confrontation the Agency may have had. A lot can be gleaned by that.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Taking a seat, I pull forward the Agency reports and settle down to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_rfriend2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_rfriend2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
After a few hours, I have one lead. Of all the information at my fingertips, that is it. One.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Still, it's at least something.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The information came from an old, weathered journal. The specific page I'm looking at details a sepia ink drawing of a female Anunnaki, notes and sketches made of her wings and body, and a scrawl of tiny cursive handwriting marks most of the page.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
My eyes dart to a particularly messy section of notes that's less faded than the rest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
'The Anunnaki, as with most Celestial beings, are some of the most powerful in the known worlds. But for all of their power, they all have a defining weakness.'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]Now we're getting somewhere[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
'They are a soul-bonded race of beings, weak to the one bond that they may form with another. If a bond is formed, there is no way to break it, and the Celestial being is bound to their soulbond's bidding, or face being weakened by the bond…sometimes fatally so.'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
This talk of 'soul-bonding' sounds a bit far-fetched, and I probably would have ignored it if it hadn't also been mentioned in an Agency field report from a few months ago.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
'Unit Tango were successful in arresting a group of Trappers at the edge of Wayhaven's borders. We're unsure what they were attempting, but it looks like some kind of ritual. We consulted Jong-Soo of Unit Romeo, who said the ritual appeared to be attempting some kind of 'soul-bonding' effect, but according to him, 'soul-bonding' is connected to soul magic. What was performed here would have mimicked the effects, but not been a true soul-bond.'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Coincidence seems like a stretch with this information in front of me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
So as soon as I hear Unit Bravo come home, I head up to the living room to let them know what I've found.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
*finish Next Chapter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Seeing as I'm staying with the group, it was decided we might as well take the opportunity to begin on the training we'd discussed. I already agreed to I'd meet $!{mason} in the clearing near the warehouse so we can get to it, so I make my way there.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
It's early. Painfully so. But wow does it make for an incredible scene! 

As I step out into woods surrounding the warehouse, the oak and rowan trees that make up the barrier around the clearing are bathed in a wash of early morning gold, which glimmers like dancing speckles against the lush canopy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Wayhaven isn't a busy town, but sometimes it's easy to forget nature's simple beauty in the business of life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I shake the thought from my mind and follow the sun-dappled trail through the trees, brushing back the foliage. The leaves look soft and bushy enough to just curl up in and fall back asleep…but I just about resist the urge.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The trees quickly open up into the familiar sight of the training clearing, where I'm surprised to see ${mason} already sparring with a wooden dummy that's been haphazardly stabbed into the dry mud ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} makes a roundhouse kick that barely skims where a nose would have been on a person before dipping low and finishing with an uppercut.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The head pops off.

It flies through air in a wobbly arc and rolls towards my feet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
We both stare down at the head as it rocks back and forth before falling very still.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Continue to stare at the head. "That's quite the unique morning greeting."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		The blank face of the wooden dummy still seems to stare up at it me rather creepily.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I don't think anyone has ever greeted me with a head at my feet before," I state before looking back up to ${m_him}. "But you do seem to like to keep things…unique."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} wipes at ${m_his} forehead, which has a sheen of perspiration over it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I frown. [i]Just how long has ${m_she} been out here?[/i]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It wasn't exactly intentional," ${m_she} grunts, marching a direct path towards me to snatch up the head. When ${m_she} stands back and meets my eye, I notice some of the strain that tightens ${m_his} features relax.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_cm2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Wince. "Maybe I've changed my mind about this training…."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		I flick my gaze between the severed head and the lopsided body of the training dummy. A few splinters create a spiked collar around where the head used to be.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I wince at the sight. "You know, maybe this wasn't such a good idea."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{mason} grunts, sweeping a hand across ${m_his} neck, where I can see a few beads of perspiration. $!{m_she} must have been out here for quite some time already….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You really think I'd treat you the same way as a training dummy?" ${m_she} asks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I expect a seed of sarcasm, or maybe even a flare of flirtation, but instead the question is sharp and direct.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I guess not…," I reply through slow words.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} marches a direct path towards me to retrieve the head, and I'm thankful to see some of the strain tightening ${m_his} features release when ${m_she} finally meets my eye.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_cm2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Grin at ${m_him}. "This bodes well for the training ahead."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		Even after the slightly disturbing scene, a grin tips the corners of my lips upwards, and I turn my gaze to ${m_him}. "This certainly bodes well for the training ahead. You're not planning that for me if I get annoying, are you?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Don't be ridiculous," ${m_she} groans.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		My teasing turns to a confused frown at ${m_his} stiff reply. Where I was expecting snark, flirtation, or even a little sarcasm, there's just an exhausted gruffness to the reply.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} marches a direct path towards me, wiping at ${m_his} shining brow. I can't help but wonder just how long ${m_she}'s been out here training already.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} scoops up the head, and I'm thankful to see some of the strain tightening ${m_his} features release when ${m_she} finally meets my eye.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_cm2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Raise a brow. "Working out some issues?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		The wooden head stares up at me from its defeated blank face, and I flick my gaze up to ${mason} across the clearing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Working out some issues?" I ask, the teasing falling from my voice the second I notice the strain that tightens ${m_his} features.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} releases a groaned breath in response, swiping at ${m_his} forehead, which sheens with a slight mist of perspiration.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Apparently, ${m_she} must have got a very early start on training.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} marches a direct path towards me in order to scoop up the head, and I'm thankful to see some of the tension in ${m_his} expression ease when ${m_she} finally meets my eye.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_cm2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Frown in concern. "Is everything all right?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		The wooden head stares up at me through a blank face, only fuelling the concern which bubbles in my chest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I look to ${mason} across the clearing, watching as ${m_she} rubs at ${m_his} neck and blows out a breath. Apparently ${m_she}'s already been training for some time, if the sheen of perspiration across ${m_his} brow is any indication.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Is…everything all right?" I venture after a quiet moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} grumbles and shakes ${m_his} head. "Why wouldn't it be?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} marches a direct path towards me in order to scoop up the head, and I'm thankful to see some of the tension in ${m_his} expression eases when ${m_she} finally meets my eye.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		*goto chap8_cm2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Pick up the head and throw it back to ${m_him}. "Need this?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		I stoop down to retrieve the head, the weight of it more solid than I was expecting as I lift from the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Need this?" I ask before launching the solid object back in ${m_his} direction.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (combat <= 30)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			It barely makes it two feet before plopping weakly back onto the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{mason} lifts a brow as ${m_she} watches. "Good thing I didn't."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I swallow back a groan. 

			$!{m_she} marches a direct path to scoop up the head, and I can now see the slight sheen of perspiration on ${m_his} forehead. 
			
			[i]Just how long has ${m_she} been out here training already?[/i]
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			When ${m_she} stands again to meet my eye, I'm thankful to see some of the tension in ${m_his} expression ease.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			*goto chap8_cm2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*elseif (combat >= 70)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			$!{m_she} lets out a small 'oof' as the head slams directly into ${m_his} waiting hands. "Nice throw."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Thanks," I reply, noticing the slight sheen that gleams across ${m_his} brow. "Have you been out here a while already?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{m_she} grumbles out a reply that I think is a 'yes' before finally meeting my eye.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I'm thankful to see some of the tension in ${m_his} expression ease when our gazes connect.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			*goto chap8_cm2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			$!{m_she} catches the head with ease, turning it over in ${m_his} hands.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I notice a slight sheen of perspiration gleam over ${m_his} forehead as ${m_she} moves. Seems ${m_she}'s already been out here training for a while.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			When I stop my examination to meet ${m_his} eye, I'm thankful to see some of the tension in ${m_his} expression eases when ${m_she} finally meets my eye.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			*goto chap8_cm2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
*label chap8_cm2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"So, am I going to be beating up training dummies with you today?" I ask to lighten some of the strange air that prickles about ${m_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"No," ${m_she} replies simply, tugging ${m_his} hair back into a loose bun high at the back of ${m_his} head. A few strands fall and curl against ${m_his} neck, the distraction of it almost more than I can bear.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Thankfully, ${m_she} moves and causes me to jolt out of my heated thoughts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"We're going to be using this," ${m_she} says, leaning an arm against a nearby large wooden crate and pointing a finger at the object atop it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
I bend down slightly to inspect the object. Fingers of dark metal drip from the top to create an orb-shaped cage. In the centre hangs a crystal of soft blue spilling down into a deep purple, its edges faceted but roughly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
A buzz vibrates from the grapefruit-sized object that tickles against my skin, so I shuffle a small step back from it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"What is it?" I ask when no explanation comes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"It's a training device." $!{m_she} looks to it over one shoulder. "They use it a lot at the facilities. Not this particular device, though."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I straighten back up. "Why?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"It's been modified so as [i]you[/i] can use it. It projects illusions, which won't work for you with your mutation," ${m_she} explains, folding ${m_his} arms and releasing a breath as though this much talking is taxing for ${m_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Why not?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} huffs. "Because illusions are mind-based magic, and we know that shit just doesn't work on you at all."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Ah, I see," I reply with a nod. "So what sort of illusions?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Seriously? More questions?" ${m_she} snaps, making me flinch a little. "Why don't I just turn the thing on, and you can see for yourself?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} does just that without waiting for a reply, sweeping a hand across the top of it where a bright glow pulses from the top and seeps down the metal tendrils, revealing etched runes I hadn't seen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
A sudden burst of light erupts from the orb making me shy away with a hand across my eyes. When I look back, a hundred smoky, shadowy figures swoop out of the device and fall into place around us like a silent army.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
After settling the sudden shock that made my throat clench, I step closer and run my hand through one of the figures. Its misty shape twinkles in the sun and swirls around my touch like some kind of dark steam before reforming into a hazy mass.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Be impressed at the people who invented it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*set people %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"The people who invented it must have been seriously talented," I state through an impressed breath.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"We all have our own talents," ${mason} replies, a flicker of heat to the words which makes me turn to ${m_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		But as we look to each other, ${m_she} stiffens once more and shakes ${m_his} head.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"We'll see just how impressive they are if it works. Come on," ${m_she} orders, stalking towards the center of the shimmering, shadowy army with a stiffly tense stance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_cm3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Be impressed at the technology and magic in the contraption.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*set science %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		"So there's technology in there as well as magic?" I ask, once again staring at the device as though it might reveal its secrets if I get close enough.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Probably. I have no idea," ${m_she} huffs. "All I care about is if it works like it's supposed to. Come on." $!{m_she} says nothing more before stalking towards the center of the shimmering, shadowy army with a stiffly tense stance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*goto chap8_cm3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Wonder at the knowledge needed to invent such a contraption.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*set deduction %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		"I can't even imagine how anyone would even start thinking up something like this," I state, leaning back and blowing out an impressed breath. "The knowledge needed in both magic and technology would be astounding."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		"You can think about how damn impressive it all is if it actually works," ${m_she} huffs. "For now, we have training to do. Come on." $!{m_she} stalks towards the center of the shimmering, shadowy army with a stiffly tense stance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_cm3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Marvel at its use for combat training situations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*set combat %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Wow. If the general public had access to things like this, then think of the variety of combat situations we could train for," I state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You're only training for one situation. One fucking huge with wings that we need to be more focused on than being distracted by this things possible uses. Come on," ${m_she} orders, stalking towards the center of the shimmering, shadowy army with a stiffly tense stance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_cm3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cm3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I stare after ${m_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The prickly, bristling tension that has been like a spiky barrier around ${m_him} since I entered the clearing seems to grow a few more thorns.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Stemming the concern which begins to knot inside of me, I eventually follow after ${m_him}, doing my best to avoid the figures which create a winding path.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"How can I practice my defense when I can't even hit these things?" I ask, nudging one with my elbow for effect and watching as it evaporates for a moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"You won't be fighting today. Only focusing on avoiding becoming distracted," ${m_she} explains, evading making eye contact with me by looking over the clearing. "Your job is to ignore the distraction the illusions create and manage to touch me without letting me touch you first."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
That line is a perfect set-up for ${mason}'s usual bold seduction attempts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
…But there's nothing from ${m_him}. 

Only a tight-lipped frown.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Before I get a chance to say anything, ${mason} dashes off at a pace I can actually keep up with—the sun apparently already beginning to affect ${m_his} heightened abilities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
[i]Maybe that's what's affecting ${m_his} mood too…?[/i]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I ignore the thought as best as I can—well, more like I have to—as the illusions around the clearing begin to writhe and dance. They flicker at the edge of my vision, darting past and brushing against me, making me flinch out of instinct as their whisper-light touch buzzes against my skin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
A gasp rushes out of me as a hand presses against my shoulder.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"You're already not paying attention," ${mason} snaps as ${m_she} appears behind me from the thrumming mass of shadows.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Gesture to the illusions. "I can't help it. This is all new to me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		"I can't exactly help it," I reply, swinging my hands about us at the moving scene. "This may be an everyday occurence to you, but it's all new to me. Can I at least get some time to take it in?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		The hardness that tugs at ${m_his} expression—not something I've seen for months—tempers for a moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"All right," ${m_she} mumbles. "But we seriously need to get on. We can't waste time when you have so much to learn."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I rest a hand on ${m_his} arm with a soft smile. "Don't worry. I'll get it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} glances at the touch, ${m_his} frown almost fading before ${m_she} grunts and moves away back into the illusions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I get exactly thirty seconds to marvel at the scene around me before ${mason} has us start again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*goto chap8_cm4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Calm fright. "Sorry. I didn't know we'd started already."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		I breathe out the chill of fright that had made my body stiff. "Sorry. I didn't know we'd started."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		My apology seems to batter against ${m_him} harder than a hit, and ${m_she} stumbles back a pace while dropping ${m_his} gaze. "Yeah, well…we had. We have. So get ready this time."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I nod. "All right."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} raises ${m_his} gaze slowly, gazes at me for the longest moment…and then simply moves away back into the screen of illusions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		The oddity of the moment wants to claw into me, but I shake it off ready to prepare myself, not wanting to be reprimanded yet again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*goto chap8_cm4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Frown. "Would you give me a minute? I wasn't exactly expecting all this."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		*if (m_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			"Would you give me a minute?" I snipe back, my frown just as deep as ${m_his}. "It's not like I was expecting a swarm of illusions to start dancing about around me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			*goto chap8_cm3a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"Would you give me a minute?" I snipe back, my frown just as deep as ${m_his}s. "It's not like I was expecting a swarm of illusions to start dancing about around me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			*goto chap8_cm3a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*label chap8_cm3a	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		"That's exactly the point," ${m_she} retorts, stabbing a finger into the throng, ${m_his} top lip curling upwards. "You think you're going to expect every distraction or attack that comes at you?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if ((easygoing <= 35)or(charming <= 35))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			"No, but it's not like I don't know when I'm in a real hostile situation to prepare myself. I didn't think I had to expect it from you!" I ball my fists at my sides, angered heat simmering just below my skin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*goto chap8_cm3b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*elseif (impulsive >= 75)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			"No, but it's not like I don't know when I'm in a real hostile situation to prepare myself. I didn't think I had to expect it from you!" I ball my fists at my sides, angered heat simmering just below my skin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*goto chap8_cm3b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I take a step back, examining ${m_him} hard for a moment at the sudden outburst.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*goto chap8_cm3b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*label chap8_cm3b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} deflates immediately. "Just…be prepared this time." $!{m_she} paces back into the screen of illusions, and I breathe out the strangeness of the moment between us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_cm4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#"Well excuse me for being momentarily surprised by the moving army of shadow people!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		"Oh, well," I release on a sharp, leaning back while waving a hand between us, "please do excuse me for having a moment of suprise at the [i]moving army of shadow people[/i]!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"The whole point is to create a distraction," ${m_she} fires back.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I grit my teeth. "And they obviously did their damn job. So terribly sorry for not being used to this whole magic thing I just fell into a few months ago."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		The sharpness of my reply seems to cut through the hostility that sparks from ${m_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} settles back a step and rolls ${m_his} lips together. "All right, I get it. Let's just…go again." $!{m_she} then paces back into the screen of illusions, and I breathe out the strangeness of the last of the confused anger from my body.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*goto chap8_cm4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Roll out shoulders. "All right. I'm ready now. Let's go again."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		"All right," I reply, letting ${m_his} reprimand roll off of me as I settle myself into a firmer stance. "I'm ready now. Let's go."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} examines me for a brief moment before giving a satisfied nod.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} then paces back into the screen of illusions, and I prepare myself, trying not to think further on the oddity of ${m_his} behaviour this morning.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*goto chap8_cm4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
*label chap8_cm4	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
[i][b]A Few Hours Later…[/i][/b].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The illusions were indeed just a distraction to start with, but now they're starting to give me a serious headache. The blurs of motion constantly whipping about around me, as I swirl and dip to avoid ${mason}, has my head feeling very much like the inside of a washing machine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if ((combat >= 75)or(scombat >= 1))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	I've so far managed to avoid every tap of ${mason}'s that's come my way, but I still have yet to land one of my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*goto chap8_cm5z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*elseif (combat >= 50)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	So far, I've managed to avoid some of ${mason}'s surprisingly gentle taps, but more of them find their mark than I would like. And I haven't managed to land even one of my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*goto chap8_cm5z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	So far, I've avoided only one of ${mason}'s surprisingly gentle taps, and I haven't been anywhere close to landing one of my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*goto chap8_cm5z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_cm5z                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
With my steadily thumping headache—and my body begging me for respite—I do my best to steel myself.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Closing my eyes, I draw in a deep breath, letting the fresh, warm air calm my aching lungs, and then open my eyes again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The shadows whirl and flash around me, but I ignore them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
A small motion catches my attention.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And I finally get the upperhand as I spot ${mason} darting towards me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} notices my attention, but continues ${m_his} advance anyway, not bothering to avoid the hazy illusions and instead ramming through them at speed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if ((people >= 80)or(combat >= 70))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I spread my feet apart, ready to dodge…and notice the smallest shift of ${m_his} weight towards my left as ${m_she} makes ${m_his} final approach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	*goto chap8_cm5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	I spread my feet apart, ready to dodge one way or the other as I let my instincts guide me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*goto chap8_cm5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_cm5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Dodge to the left.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*if ((people >= 80)or(combat >= 70))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			Maybe ${m_she}'s making a feign to the left, a little voice in my head yells.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			And annoyingly, I believe it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			*goto chap8_cm5a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I follow my gut and spin away to the left to avoid the incoming vampire.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			And realise quickly that was the very wrong choice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*goto chap8_cm5a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*label chap8_cm5a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I almost trip over my own feet to course correct as ${mason} veers towards me, but it's too late for that.       

		$!{m_his} fingers tap down on my arm.
		
		My body slumps on the spot, my hands on my hips as I draw in a fatigued, and slightly annoyed, breath.
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (m_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			*if (mc_height = "very tall")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
				$!{mason} takes my chin between ${m_his} thumb and index finger and tips my head down to meet ${m_his} gaze. "You're going to have to work harder than that, ${mname}."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
				*goto chap8_cm5d                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*elseif (mc_height = "tall")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				$!{mason} takes my chin between ${m_his} thumb and index finger and turns my head to meet ${m_his} gaze. "You're going to have to work harder than that, ${mname}."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
				*goto chap8_cm5d                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				$!{mason} curls a finger beneath my chin and tips my head up to meet ${m_his} gaze. "You're going to have to work harder than that, ${mname}."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				*goto chap8_cm5d
		*else
			*if ((mc_height = "very tall")or(mc_height = "tall"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				$!{mason} takes my chin between ${m_his} thumb and index finger and tips my head down to meet ${m_his} gaze. "You're going to have to work harder than that, ${mname}."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
				*goto chap8_cm5d                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				$!{mason} takes my chin between ${m_his} thumb and index finger and tilts my head to meet ${m_his} gaze. "You're going to have to work harder than that, ${mname}."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				*goto chap8_cm5d
		*label chap8_cm5d                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
																																																																																																																																																																													 
		The sound of the petname from ${m_his} lips sends all kinds of signals sparking through my body.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
																																																																																																																																																																													 
		But the familiarity of it, along with the whisper of a smirk on ${m_his} lips, has a calm wave settling through me at the same time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
																																																																																																																																																																													 
		The mix of heat and serenity is a powerfully heady mix that rocks me to my core.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
																																																																																																																																																																													 
		"We're going to be out here until midnight at this rate." $!{m_his} usual sarcasm also makes a sudden return. "We're not heading in until you score at least one on me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
																																																																																																																																																																													 
		"Seriously? One hit is all you want?" I ask, my sudden ragged, heavy breaths not completely caused by the training as ${m_his} grey eyes seem to simmer at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
																																																																																																																																																																													 
		"Oh, what I [i]really[/i] want should be experienced rather than spoken," ${m_she} purrs, moving ${m_his} hand from my chin and tracing the very tips of ${m_his} fingers down my arm. $!{m_she} slips ${m_his} hand into mine, caressing ${m_his} thumb against my palm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
																																																																																																																																																																													 
		My body reacts with an instant flare of heat that explodes through my body right down to my toes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_cm6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	#Dodge to the right.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if ((people >= 80)or(combat >= 70))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			If ${m_she}'s aiming for my left, then I already know exactly where I need to go.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*goto chap8_cm5az                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I follow my gut and spin right to avoid the incoming vampire.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*goto chap8_cm5az                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*label chap8_cm5az                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (m_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			$!{mason} skids to a stop in the space where I just was, spinning on ${m_his} heel towards me.
			
			I immediately poke a finger into ${m_his} chest to stop ${m_his} motion and leave it there.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if (mc_height = "very tall")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
				My triumph seems to glow like an aura around me as I stare down at ${m_him}. "Got you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				*goto chap8_cm5b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*elseif (mc_height = "tall")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				My triumph seems to glow like an aura around me as I meet ${m_his} gaze. "Got you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
				*goto chap8_cm5b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				My triumph seems to glow like an aura around me as I tip my head up to meet ${m_his} gaze. "Got you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				*goto chap8_cm5b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			$!{mason} skids to a stop in the space where I just was, spinning on ${m_his} heel towards me.

			I immediately poke a finger into ${m_his} shoulder to stop ${m_his} motion and leave it there.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if ((mc_height = "very tall")or(mc_height = "tall"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				My triumph seems to glow around me like an aura as I stare down at ${m_him}. "Got you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				*goto chap8_cm5b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*elseif (mc_height = "average")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				My triumph seems to glow around me like an aura as I meet ${m_his} gaze. "Got you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
				*goto chap8_cm5b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				My triumph seems to glow around me like an aura as I tip my head up to meet ${m_his} gaze. "Got you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				*goto chap8_cm5b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*label chap8_cm5b                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		A whisper of a smirk traces across ${m_his} lips, the welcome familiarity of it making me shiver.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                   
		*if (m_man = "man") 
			$!{m_she} stares at down at my finger still pressed against ${m_his} sternum. "So you did, ${mname}." $!{m_she} meets my gaze again. "Won't be long before you're matching me move for move." $!{m_his} usual sarcasm also makes a sudden return.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			*goto chap8_cm5bb
		*else 
			$!{m_she} stares at down at my finger still pressed against ${m_him}. "So you did, ${mname}." $!{m_she} meets my gaze again. "Won't be long before you're matching me move for move." $!{m_his} usual sarcasm also makes a sudden return.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			*goto chap8_cm5bb
		*label chap8_cm5bb
			
		"Well, that's the point of this, isn't it? That's what you want." I say, my sudden ragged, heavy breaths not completely caused by the training as ${m_his} grey eyes seem to simmer at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*if (m_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			"Oh, what I [i]really [/i] want should be experienced rather than spoken," ${m_she} purrs, taking my hand from ${m_his} chest and caressing ${m_his} thumb against my palm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			My body reacts with an instant flare of heat that explodes through my body right down to my toes, heating me to my very core.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			*goto chap8_cm6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"Oh, what I [i]really [/i] want should be experienced rather than spoken," ${m_she} purrs, taking my hand from ${m_his} shoulder and caressing ${m_his} thumb against my palm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			My body reacts with an instant flare of heat that explodes through my body right down to my toes, heating me to my very core.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			*goto chap8_cm6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cm6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Go with the flow and let ${m_him} give you the experience.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_cmflow                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	#Go with it, but take the lead in the experience.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_cmflowmc                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	#Take a step back. "Your mood swings are going to give me whiplash."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} sudden hotness after a morning of bitter chill from ${m_him} has my mind reeling. So much so, that I end up having to take a step back just to be able to focus clear enough out of ${m_his} tempting presence.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Your mood swings are going to give me whiplash," I state, more seriousness in my tone than I meant to add.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} slides ${m_his} hand back from mine and folds ${m_his} arms. "Well, it's not exactly easy you know."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Easy?" I stare about the clearing, the hazy figures now holding their forms in silent audience. "You mean training?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"No. Training is easy. Being around you isn't," ${m_she} admits through a sharp breath.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I blink a few times. "Wait, what?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You. You're…you make me…well, this!" $!{m_she} flings ${m_his} hands out before gesturing at ${m_him}self as though that's some kind of explanation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		
		*if ((charming <= 35)or(friendly <= 35))
			I step closer. "What does that even mean?!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*goto chap8_addcharmm		
		*else
			I step closer. "I don't get what that's supposed to mean!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*goto chap8_addcharmm
		*label chap8_addcharmm
		
		$!{m_she} sags and shoves a few loose strands of hair back from ${m_his} face. "I thought if you could learn to defend yourself, to stay safe, I wouldn't have to be so scared all the damn time."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Scared?" My eyes widen. "For me?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Of course for you," ${m_she} shoots back through a deepening frown. "It's seems everything I do is always for you nowadays."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		A silence threatens to burrow between us, so I break it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"What is it you want, ${mason}?" It wasn't what I meant to say, but the question slips free anyway.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		When ${m_she} looks at me, there is no teasing, or even the hardness from before, staring back at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Just a deep longing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		And it makes my heart thump hard against my ribs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_cm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*if (mname2 = "sunshine") #Chuckle. "Oh, this whole morning has been experience enough, sunshine."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		A chuckle slips free. "Oh, this whole morning has been quite an experience enough, sunshine."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_cmsunshine                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*if (mname2 = "") #Chuckle. "Oh, this whole morning has been experience enough."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		A chuckle slips free. "Oh, this whole morning has been quite an experience enough."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*goto chap8_cmsunshine                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	#Raise a brow. "What happened to ignoring distractions, hm?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		I lift a brow at the sudden temptation rolling from ${mason} in waves, especially after the focused intensity towards training ${m_she}'s been pushing all morning.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"And what happened to ignoring distractions, hm?" I tease.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"As if you're ever a distraction I could ignore," ${m_she} whispers, tugging me closer by the hand.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I move willingly, drawn in with a magentic pull, but with my mind working over the switch in ${m_his} mood. "You've done a good job at ignoring it all morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_she} blinks, staring down at me through a heavy gaze before frowning. "Will you stop confusing me?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Confusing you? You're the one who's switching from hot to cold," I state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{m_his} hand finally slips free of mine but only so as ${m_she} can shove back a few strands of hair from ${m_his} face.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		A silence threatens to burrow between us, so I rest a hand on ${m_his} arm to draw ${m_his} focus back to me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"What is it you want, ${mason}?" The question falls from me before I can stop it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		When ${m_she} looks at me, there is no teasing, or even the hardness from before, staring back at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Just a deep longing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		And it makes my heart thump hard against my ribs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_cm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cmsunshine                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"What's that supposed to mean?" ${m_she} asks, a sharpness tight on ${m_his} voice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
"All morning you've been driving me into this training frenzy, and now suddenly you're, well…." I shift my focus down to our joined hands.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{mason} snaps ${m_his} fingers back, as though only now realising they were still there. "I forgot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"You forgot what?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I forgot how scared I was for a second." $!{m_she} snorts a breath and shakes ${m_his} head. "You're making me crazy."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"[i]I'm[/i] making [i]you[/i] crazy?" I repeat, not bothering to keep the disbelief from my voice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} yanks the band from ${m_his} hair so it falls loose over ${m_his} shoulders. "I'm terrified for you. Don't you get that? But when I'm around you I forget. Because you're there…and that's enough for me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
A silence threatens to burrow between us, so I break it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"What is it you want, ${mason}?" It wasn't what I meant to say, but the question slips free anyway.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
When ${m_she} looks at me, there is no teasing, or even the hardness from before, staring out at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Just a deep longing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And it makes my heart thump hard against my ribs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
*goto chap8_cm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cmflow                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Both of ${m_his} hands reach towards my hips, ${m_his} brow crooking up in a 'You sure?' motion.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I give an eager nod of my head and let out a small breath as ${m_his} hands finally spread against me, ${m_his} fingertips easing beneath my training shirt and trailing across my stomach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} settles ${m_his} hands against the naked skin of my lower back, but only so as she can encourage me closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (gender = "female")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	The lust in ${m_his} eyes simmers but begins to soften as we remain pressed tightly together. $!{m_his} hands trace upwards slowly, savouring each curve and line of my body, and seemingly etching them into ${m_his} memory: my hips, my waist, my breasts, and then dragging ${m_his} hands back down again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*goto chap8_cmflow2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	The lust in ${m_his} eyes simmers but begins to soften as we remain pressed tightly together. $!{m_his} hands trace upwards slowly, savouring each line of my body, and seemingly etching them into ${m_his} memory: my hips, my waist, my chest, and then dragging ${m_his} hands back down again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*goto chap8_cmflow2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*label chap8_cmflow2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
I tip my head back as ${m_she} presses a warm kiss on my collar bone, sucking at it gently before mapping out the arc of my neck as unhurriedly as ${m_his} hands had my torso.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} stops at my pulse point, kissing it harder and leaving ${m_his} lips there for a moment longer, drawing a moan from me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And the oddest realisation dawns on me as I tilt my head around to meet ${m_his} gaze.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The touch isn't sexual, the air around us isn't simmering with the usual urges, and my heart beat is thrumming a steady, calm beat with each touch of ${m_his} fingers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} gazes intensely at me with a much deeper kind of longing than I've ever seen before.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And the steady, calm beat of my heart makes a jump into my throat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
*goto chap8_cm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cmflowmc                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
With an eagerness I don't even try to mask, I take the first step, reaching out towards ${m_him}, pausing only momentarily before ${m_she} grabs my hands and places them on ${m_his} hips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I dip my fingers beneath ${m_his} shirt, wrapping them around ${m_him} in order to draw us tightly together.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I catch the lust simmering in ${m_his} eyes, but notice it soften as we remain pressed together for a moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (m_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	Leaning forward, I tug down the collar of ${m_his} training shirt so as I can press a warm kiss against ${m_his} collarbone, and I can feel the rumble of ${m_his} moan against my lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	*goto chap8_cmflowmc2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	Leaning forward, I tug down the collar of ${m_his} training shirt so as I can press a warm kiss against the top of ${m_his} breasts, and I can feel the rumble of ${m_his} moan against my lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*goto chap8_cmflowmc2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
*label chap8_cmflowmc2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I continue my trail of slow kisses, savouring each taste of ${m_his} skin, capturing each small breath to memory, and revelling in steady way ${m_his} pulse beats beneath ${m_his} skin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And the oddest realisation dawns on me as I tilt my head around to meet ${m_his} gaze.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The touch isn't sexual. The air around us isn't simmering with the usual urges.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} gazes intensely at me with a much deeper kind of longing than I've ever seen before.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And where ${m_his} heartbeat is steady, mine makes a sudden jump into my throat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*goto chap8_cm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cm7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
[i]SCRACK![/i]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The sharp, painful noise has us both flinching on the spot and breaking away from each other.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I suck a breath into my paralysed lungs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The illusions that had stood guard around the strange moment between us begin to flicker before dying away completely.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{mason} grunts and shakes ${m_his} head. "Stupid machine." $!{m_she} stomps towards the device without a glance back towards me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
When ${m_she} reaches the orb, ${m_she} slams a fist down onto it, and I wince at the crack which emanates from its metallic shell.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
To no one's surprise, it doesn't start working again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Looks like you'll just have to imagine the illusions from now on, ${mname}," ${m_she} states, but ${m_his} voice wobbles on the petname.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And as if my own brain wants to distract me from what just happened, it hones in immediately on a thought I didn't even realise had been rumanating in my mind.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
${mason} walks back to my side, apparently noticing the pensive frown on my face. "What is it?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"You said some illusion magic could produce a physical effect?" I ask. "Like being able to feel the shadowy people?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} nods.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Well, what if that is what the Anunnaki is doing?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} stares at me a moment before nodding slowly. "You think that's possible?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I have no idea. But this morning, I didn't think an army of illusions for training purposes was possible, so…." I shrug.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{m_she} chuckles, and my body lifts at the sound of it. "All right. Then we better tell the others your theory."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I nod, trailing after ${m_him} as we make our way out of the clearing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Neither of us say anything else to each other.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
*finish Next Chapter             

*label chap8_cf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Seeing as I'm staying with the group, it was decided we might as well take the opportunity to begin on the training we'd discussed. I already agreed to I'd meet $!{felix} in the clearing near the warehouse to get started, so I make my way there.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Although I've been up for a while, the rest of the world seems to have only just woken. Birds begin lazy twitters from the trees as I follow the short, mud-dried track that leads through the thick of oak and rowan trees. The bushes reach out to brush against me, the scent of them heady and rich with the promise of the summer day ahead.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
If only I could truly enjoy it instead of training.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And I know exactly who I'd wish to spend a relaxing summer's day with….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{felix} is already waiting for me as I step out into the small clearing, a bright smile overcoming ${f_him} the second our eyes meet. It has my pulse fluttering.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	A small brush of wind, and ${f_she} is suddenly right before me, ${f_his} arms wrapped loosely around my middle.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Hey, babe," ${f_she} greets with more melody to ${f_his} voice than all the birds singing in the trees.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*goto chap8_cfhello                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	A small brush of wind, and ${f_she} is suddenly right before me, a small stumble indicating ${f_she} might have wanted to stop closer to me than ${f_she} did.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	…And I wish ${f_she} had.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Hey there," ${f_she} greets with more melody to ${f_his} voice than all the birds singing in the trees.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*goto chap8_cfhello                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_cfhello                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*if (ftogether = "true") #Kiss ${f_his} cheek and smile. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			*if ((mc_height = "short")or(mc_height = "average"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				I rest my hands on ${f_his} chest, tiptoeing to peck a kiss on ${f_his} cheek. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} beams a smile brighter than the sun itself.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				*goto chap8_cf2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				I slide my arms about ${f_him} in return of the gesture and lean close to peck a kiss on ${f_his} cheek. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} beams a smile brighter than the sun itself.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				*goto chap8_cf2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				I rest my hands on ${f_his} arms, leaning close to peck a kiss on ${f_his} cheek. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} beams a smile brighter than the sun itself.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				*goto chap8_cf2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				I slide my arms about ${f_him} in return of the gesture and lean close to peck a kiss on ${f_his} cheek. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} beams a smile brighter than the sun itself.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				*goto chap8_cf2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*if (ftogether = "true") #Kiss ${f_him}. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			*if ((mc_height = "short")or(mc_height = "average"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				I rest my hands on ${f_his} chest before gripping ${f_his} shirt and tugging ${f_him} down into a kiss.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_his} smile against my mouth tastes delicious.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				When we pull apart, I swipe my thumb against the moistness of ${f_his} bottom lip and smile. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_his} arms tighten about me to press me closer. "I could get used to this everyday."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				*goto chap8_cf2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				I rest my hands on ${f_his} arms before urging ${f_him} closer and tugging ${f_him} into a kiss.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_his} smile against my mouth tastes delicious.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				When we pull apart, I swipe my thumb against the moistness of ${f_his} bottom lip and smile. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_his} arms tighten about me to press me closer. "I could get used to this everyday."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				*goto chap8_cf2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I rest my hands on ${f_his} arms before urging ${f_him} closer and tugging ${f_him} into a kiss.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} smile against my mouth tastes delicious.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			When we pull apart, I swipe my thumb against the moistness of ${f_his} bottom lip and smile. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} arms tighten about me to press me closer. "I could get used to this everyday."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	*if (ftogether = "true") #Return the happy embrace. "Hey there yourself."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			*if ((mc_height = "short")or(mc_height = "average"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				I reach up to wrap my arms around ${f_his} neck to return the fond gesture, resting my forehead against ${f_his}. "Hey there yourself."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_his} arms slide tighter against me, unwilling to break the moment, a smile more dazzling than anything I've seen curving ${f_his} lips. "I could get used to this greeting every morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
				*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				I reach around to slide my arms around ${f_him} to return the fond gesture, resting my forehead against ${f_his}. "Hey there yourself."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_his} arms tighten against me, unwilling to break the moment, a smile more dazzling than anything I've seen curving ${f_his} lips. "I could get used to this greeting every morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
				*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*if (mc_height = "short")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
				I reach out to wrap my arms around ${f_his} neck to return the fond gesture, resting my forehead against ${f_his}s. "Hey there yourself."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_his} arms slide tighter against me, unwilling to break the moment, a smile more dazzling than anything I've seen curving ${f_his} lips. "I could get used to this greeting every morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
				*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				I reach around to slide my arms around ${f_him} to return the fond gesture, resting my forehead against ${f_his}s. "Hey there yourself."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_his} arms tighten against me, unwilling to break the moment, a smile more dazzling than anything I've seen curving ${f_his} lips. "I could get used to this greeting every morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
				*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	#Smile wide. "You're awfully happy for this time in the morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		I can't help the smile which catches my lips at ${f_his} warm greeting. "You're awfully cheerful for this time in the morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} glances up at the sun and shrugs. "Time is just time to me. Whether it's day or night, doesn't make much difference. It's all just—"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Time," I finish, getting a slight glimpse into the workings of how ${f_she} thinks. How maybe a lot of vampires think.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} grins. "Exactly."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*if ((ftogether = "")or(ftogether = "false")) #Step a little closer. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I venture a step closer, mostly because my body can't seem to help but be drawn towards ${f_him}. "Good morning."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} sidles forward as well, ${f_his} smile dazzling as ${f_she} directs it on me. "Glad to see you're here bright and early. Or what I imagine is bright and early for a human." $!{f_she} chuckles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Nod. "Ready to get some training under way?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		I nod in reaction to the greeting, but glance about the area. "Ready to get some training under way?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
				$!{f_she} makes a faux pained frown and leans in closer, sliding ${f_his} arms further about me. "Not even a 'hello' or 'how you doin'?' for your boyfriend? Babe, I'm hurt."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				I roll my eyes at the slight pout to ${f_his} lips. "How are you today?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} grins. "Much better now I've seen you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				$!{f_she} makes a faux pained frown and leans in closer, sliding ${f_his} arms further about me. "Not even a 'hello' or 'how you doin'?' for your girlfriend? Babe, I'm hurt."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				I roll my eyes at the slight pout to ${f_his} lips. "How are you today?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} grins. "Much better now I've seen you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			A slight crease of hurt digs between ${f_his} brows at my dismissive question, but ${f_she} recovers quick enough. "I guess so."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*goto chap8_cf2	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
*label chap8_cf2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I lean around ${f_him}, taking in the view of the crate set in the center of the clearing, something unusual and unique placed atop it. 

"What is that?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{felix} glances back over ${f_his} shoulder before swinging ${f_his} head to me again with wide, glimmering eyes. "Oh, you've got to see it! It's seriously cool!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	$!{f_his} arms drop from around me, but only so as ${f_she} can take my hand and lead me with skipped steps of enthusiasm towards the object.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	*goto chap8_cf3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	$!{f_she} beckons me to follow, ${f_his} steps almost skipping with enthusiasm as ${f_she} leads the way towards the object.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*goto chap8_cf3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*label chap8_cf3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
We stop near the crate, and I lean closer to examine the strange thing. Fingers of dark metal make up the cage of the circular object, twisting and writhing together before gathering at the bottom to form a solid base. In the center of it hangs a bluish-purple, rough-hewn crystal. It may only be about the size of a grapefruit, but it resonates with a thrum of power that tickles against my skin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I stand back up. "Well, it certainly does look cool."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Wait until you see it in action." $!{f_she} places a hand over the orb, and I half-expect it to jump to life. It remains humming quietly. "It makes illusions and casts them around the area. With the Anunnaki having so many Trappers at his back, we figured this would be the best tool for you to learn to fight with so many people around. With so many distractions."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"It creates illusions?" I ask, the concept unbelievably magical…which I suppose is exactly what it is.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{f_she} nods. "They move and react to you as well. But it's not all just magic, it's fused with human tech too."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Be impressed at the people who invented it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*set people %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"The people who invented it must have been seriously talented," I state through an impressed breath.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Oh yeah, I bet," ${f_she} replies, peering at the crystal and giving it a small flick. The thrum flurries faster in the air about us before settling again. "I've never met them, but the researchers are always cooking up impressive stuff in their facility labs."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I turn my focus from the orb back to ${f_him}. "The Agency employs a lot of people like that?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Of course. It's not all field agents and dashing rogues like myself, you know." $!{f_she} offers a wink that makes my stomach flutter. "And you'll realise just how impressive those guys are when you know they had to mod this particular device just for you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*goto chap8_cf4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Be impressed at the technology and magic in the contraption.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*set science %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		"So there's technology in there as well as magic?" I ask, staring at the device as though it might reveal its secrets if I get close enough.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Yep. All melded together and blended to perfection. Or so I assume. We're not gonna get very far if it's not," ${f_she} comments with a light laugh.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		The wonders of the device draw me in, my fingers hovering in the air around it. I think I can see small slivers of wire at the back of the cage's rounded bars.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		"And if you're impressed by that," ${felix} begins again, seeing my obvious interest. "You'll be seriously blown away by the fact that this one has been modded especially for you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*goto chap8_cf4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Wonder at the knowledge needed to invent such a contraption.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*set deduction %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*set fhintaboutknowmagic "true"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		"I can't even imagine how you would start thinking up something like this," I state, leaning back and blowing out an impressed breath. "The knowledge needed in both magic and technology would be astounding."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		"Whoa yeah," ${f_she} agrees through a sharp breath. "I could probably keep up with some of the magical stuff, but the tech…that's beyond me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I instantly slide my focus back to ${felix}. "You know that much about magic?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} shrugs, as though the sudden revelation is nothing. "You could say it runs in the family." Before I get the chance to truly process that, ${f_she} smiles wide and pats the orb. "You're gonna be even more blown away when you realise that this one has been modded just for you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*goto chap8_cf4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Marvel at its use for combat training situations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		*set combat %+10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Wow. If the general public had access to things like this, then think of the variety of combat situations we could train for," I state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (combat >= 75)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			${felix}'s distracting chuckle immediately draws my focus back to ${f_him}. "What?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"It's just that's so very…you to say that," ${f_she} replies with a shrug. "Not that it's not true. I'm pretty sure this has helped save the lives of hundreds of agents."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			I nod. "I can imagine."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"And this one has been specially modded just for you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			*goto chap8_cf4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			${felix}'s distracting chuckle immediately draws my focus back to ${f_him}. "What?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"It's just you continue to surprise me," $!{felix} replies with a half-smile. "Not that it's not true. I'm pretty sure this has helped save the lives of hundreds of agents."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			I nod. "I can imagine."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"And this one has been specially modded just for you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			*goto chap8_cf4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cf4			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I quirk a brow. "Why?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{f_she} reaches out to take my hand, turning it to face palm up and running ${f_his} fingertip against my now speeding pulse. "Because of your blood. The mutation in it." There's the slightest tug on the words as ${f_she} speaks them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		I lay my hand over ${f_his}, and the comfort seems to instantly seep into ${f_him} as ${f_she} relaxes at the touch.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*goto chap8_cf5w                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		I lay my hand over ${f_his}s, and the comfort seems to instantly seep into ${f_him} as ${f_she} relaxes at the touch.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*goto chap8_cf5w                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		I reach out to lay my hand over ${f_his}, but ${f_she} draws it back before I get the chance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		*goto chap8_cf5w                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		I reach out to lay my hand over ${f_his}s, but ${f_she} draws it back before I get the chance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_cf5w                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cf5w                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Anyway," ${f_she} croaks, clearing ${f_his} throat to break through the uncertainty that had settled over ${f_him}. "Personally, I don't think we need this thing. I know how utterly distacted you get with me when I'm around as it is." $!{f_his} wink is accompanied by a much more genuine smile.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Fluster. "I mean, I guess…I don't know."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		The statement sets off a heated, muddled effect in me that I can't hide.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if ((mc_haircut = "long")or(mc_haircut = "medium"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I push back a strand of hair from my forehead and stumble over a response. "I mean, I don't…I guess so."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			*goto chap8_cf4a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			I rub a line across my forehead and stumble over a response. "I mean, I don't…I guess so."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			*goto chap8_cf4a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*label chap8_cf4a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*if (bold >= 75)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				"Wait, are you…getting all shy?" Genuine disbelief seeps out of ${f_him}, so I let out a groan. "No, it's cool. Just…also kind of sweet."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				"It's a rarity," I grumble.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} laughs and steps closer, sliding ${f_his} hands up my forearms and resting them there. "Is it bad that I like seeing all sides of you?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				I meet ${f_his} eyes, the warmth in them instantly easing my nerves, and my heart dances a steady, calmed rhythm in my chest. "No, I guess not."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				"Good."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				We stay like that a moment longer, basking in each other's presence, before ${f_she} reluctantly moves back to the device.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				*goto chap8_cf5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				"You get that we're together now, right?" ${f_she} teases. "You are allowed to enjoy our many, many flirtations."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				I purse my lips for a moment to help settle myself. "It's not that I don't enjoy them, I just…I guess I'm not used to it yet."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} laughs and steps closer, sliding ${f_his} hands up my forearms and resting them there. "It's okay. You don't ever have to get used to it as long as you always enjoy it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				I meet ${f_his} eyes, the warmth in them instantly easing my nerves, and my heart dances a steady, calmed rhythm in my chest. "Thanks."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				"I just want you to be comfortable around me, babe. Always."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				That I can't help but smile brightly at. "I really am."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				We stay like that a moment longer, basking in each other's presence, before ${f_she} reluctantly moves back to the device.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
				*goto chap8_cf5 
		*else
			A glimmer of teasing flashes across ${f_his} eyes, ${f_his} lips parting…before snapping them shut as ${f_she} waves a hand at me. "Don't worry. I was only joking."
			
			Disappointment sinks like a led weight into my stomach. "…Oh."
			
			Our gazes hold for longer than necessary, my heart beginning a wild beat in my chest, and ${felix} chews at ${f_his} lower lip.
			
			But ${f_she} eventually turns away and heads towards the device again.
			*goto chap8_cf5 
	#Grin. "That's a bold assumption. Not a wrong one, of course."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		It's impossible not to grin at that statement. "That's one bold assumption you're making there."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} arches a brow and angles closer. "Am I wrong?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I wet my lips, ${f_his} proximity making my throat dry, and I get the distinct feeling ${f_she} could easily quench my sudden thirst. "Of course not."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} glances at the motion of my lips before flicking ${f_his} gaze back up with a glimmer to the amber of ${f_his} eyes. "I didn't think so." $!{f_his} voice hitches just slightly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		It's a moment before ${f_she} reluctantly breaks our intense gaze, moving back towards the device.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*goto chap8_cf5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Smirk. "Are you trying to deflect from how enamoured [i]you[/i] are of [i]me[/i]?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		I lean an elbow against the crate, shrugging slightly, but unable to keep the lazy smile from my lips. "You know, I get the distinct impression you're just trying to deflect the fact that [i]you're[/i] always so enamoured of [i]me[/i] when I'm around."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} angles close, meeting my gaze, not with the flirtation I'd expected, but with a sudden genuine look that makes my pulse stutter. "Utterly and completely. All the time."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I blink a few times.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		How am I supposed to make any kind of seductive flirt in return when ${f_she}'s so openly honest?

		$!{f_his} words hum inside my mind like a whisper I'll never be rid of—never want to be rid of.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I stand back up, breaking the intensity of the growing moment, and ${felix} moves back towards the device.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_cf5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Smile. "Not just when you're around…."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		A happy, genuine smile finds its way onto my lips at ${f_his} words. "Not just when you're around…."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			$!{f_she} mocks a flustered breath. "Babe…if you say stuff like that, then I really won't be able to focus."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"I'm not taking that as a bad thing," I reply with a light chuckle.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_she} breaks into a grin that makes my pulse stutter. 

			After a moment of temptingly held gazes, ${f_she} manages to force ${f_him}self away and back to the device.
			*goto chap8_cf5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			$!{f_his} flirtation and lightness fades as ${f_his} amber eyes search mine. What ${f_she}'s looking for, I don't know, and I'm not sure ${f_she} finds it as ${f_she} turns back to the device.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*goto chap8_cf5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	#"I still think a properly focused training device would be beneficial."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		"I still think a properly focused traiing device would help here," I state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} breaks into a grin that makes my pulse stutter. "You know, you made that sound like I'm definitely a distraction for you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Well, you're doing a very good job of it right now," I reply, annoyed at the smile which wants to creep onto my own lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Fine, fine," ${f_she} replies with a roll of ${f_his} eyes before moving back to the device.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*goto chap8_cf5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cf5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
"So how do you turn it on?" I ask.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Well, it's not fully prepped yet," ${f_she} says, sweeping the orb up into ${f_his} grasp. The crystal swings and flashes with colour when ${f_she} does. "I figure you're going to be focused on fighting a flying opponent, right?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"…Right."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"They're tricky bastards at the best of times, before you even add in that guy's size."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"You've fought many flying opponents, have you?" I ask, a light teasing playing at the question.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{f_she} waves a hand and blows out a breath. "Jeez, no. I generally like to run at the first sight of them."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I laugh, and the sound of it elicits a shudder of happy breath from ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Uh, yeah. Anyway, I have an idea." $!{f_she} apparently doesn't feel the need to explain ${f_his} idea before ${f_she} darts away at a speed my eye can actually keep up with. I almost forget they don't have full use of their abilities when the sun is out.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
With nimble skill, ${f_she} bounces onto a low hanging branch of the nearby oak tree, darting with a graceful agility to the next and then the next, until ${f_she} teeters from a perilously high branch.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{f_she} smiles down at me with a small wave. "How's the weather down there?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I'm not sure I'm liking your plan so far!" I call up, my hands cupped around my mouth, unsure if ${f_his} vampire hearing is affected by the sun too.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{f_she} gives a dimissive snort before jamming the device into the nook of the tree limb above. I wince as I watch the obviously delicate and old object get smooshed into the space between two branches that barely hold it in place. It'll be a miracle if it comes out unscathed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"There. That should do it," ${felix} says with a satisfied nod. "I'm going to set the images to swoop down on you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
My body tenses. "Swoop? I'm not sure I like swooping. Swooping is bad."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"How else will you learn to anticipate the movements from flying opponents?" ${f_she} asks as ${f_she} leans out of the canopy to look down towards me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I can't really argue with ${f_his} logic on that….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
In a few swift bounds, ${felix} is back on the ground and standing before me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
We both stare up expectantly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I'm pretty sure I turned it on," ${f_she} mumbles when nothing happens. But eventually, shadowy illusions begin to emerge from the abundant canopy and dive towards the clearing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
We both duck on instinct as one does indeed swoop down at us like a hawk snatching at prey. It takes off again, the edges of it twinkling like stars inside a midnight cloud before once more pouncing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
But the dark, misty form of its figure dissipates on contact with us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Are you ready?" ${felix} asks, bouncing on the spot and waiting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I suck in a breath, flinching as more and more hazy illusions dive and sweep about us. "Okay."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
[i][b]A Few Hours Later…[/i][/b].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The illusions—which at first were incredible and magical—are now just beginning to seriously get on my nerves. There is truly something unnerving about them as they whirl through air, and they react unlike any human would.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"You've got to predict where they'll come from," ${felix} calls from where ${f_she}'s settled ${f_him}self comfortably into the shady grass beneath a tree. "Smack 'em away as they come for you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Yeah, I get it," I groan, the words thick as they scratch against my dry throat. I haven't had a break since we started, my determination to eventually hit one of these things growing with each miss.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (combat >= 75)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	I figured, what with my skills, this wouldn't be too hard of a task, right?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I figured wrong.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	But my previous training at least lets me continue on without as much strain as others might be in. I ease out my muscles as I settle into position once again, closing my eyes for a moment to settle my haggered breathing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	*goto chap8_cf6w                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*elseif (scombat >= 1)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	I figured, what with training against a supernatural before, this wouldn't be too hard of a task, right?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I figured wrong.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I stagger back towards the centre of the clearing, it feeling very much like an arena, and draw in a haggered breath to bring some life back to my aching body.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	*goto chap8_cf6w                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	I stagger back towards the centre of the clearing, it feeling very much like an arena, and draw in a haggered breath to bring some life back to my aching body.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	*goto chap8_cf6w                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*label chap8_cf6w                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Shadows burst out of the canopy above. I dart around them in order to focus on just one, doing my best to zone out the distraction of the others dancing at the edges of my vision.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
It zooms towards me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I hit out…and smash my palm right through the misty form!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The hazy tendrils of it puff away at my touch, leaving nothing but air, and I stare at my hand with shock.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I did it…," I mumble.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"You did it!" ${felix} yells loud enough that the birds scatter from the tree.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I swing around in time to catch the pride which spills out from every part of ${f_him}, ${f_his} applause loud and uncontained, as well as ${f_his} whooping cheers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
With a smile of my own, I crumple onto the grass with closed eyes and splay myself back against it, revelling in the cool of its lushness.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	I open my eyes when a familiar body nestles up beside mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{felix} rolls ${f_his} head to the side to smile at me, bopping ${f_his} finger on the tip of my nose. "Proud of you, babe."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*goto chap8_cf6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	When I force open my eyes, ${felix} has settled into the grass beside me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_she} beams a smile at me. "Proud of you."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	*goto chap8_cf6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_cf6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Chuckle. "Thanks. I'm proud of me too."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		"Thanks," I croak out, managing a dry laugh along with the gratitude. "I'm proud of me too."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			$!{f_she} slips ${f_his} hand into my own. "Good. Some people don't take the time to celebrate every accomplishment," ${f_she} says without humour or teasing. "Human life is too short not to."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} fingers squeeze mine, drawing a heavy breath from me that's not inspired even slightly by my fatigue.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Human life, huh?" I say, repeating the words which hang in the air above us as we lay together and stare up at the perfectly blue sky.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if (callme = "Detective")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
				$!{f_she} tenses beside me. "Yeah." $!{f_she} looks at me once again, a sudden desperation making ${f_him} shift even closer. "So we have to enjoy every second of us, $!{name}. Promise me that?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
				*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				$!{f_she} tenses beside me. "Yeah." $!{f_she} looks at me once again, a sudden desperation making ${f_him} shift even closer. "So we have to enjoy every second of us, $!{callme}. Promise me that?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"Good. Some people don't take the time to celebrate every accomplishment," ${f_she} says without humour or teasing. "Human life is too short not to."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} words draw a heavy breath from me that's not inspired even slightly by my fatigue.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Human life, huh?" I say, repeating the words which hang in the air above us as we lay together and stare up at the perfectly blue sky.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			*if (callme = "Detective")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
				$!{f_she} tenses beside me. "Yeah. That's why you have to enjoy every second." $!{f_she} looks at me once again, a sudden uncertainty making ${f_him} hesitate. "And why I want to be the one to enjoy it with you, $!{name}."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
				*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				$!{f_she} tenses beside me. "Yeah. That's why you have to enjoy every second." $!{f_she} looks at me once again, a sudden uncertainty making ${f_him} hesitate. "And why I want to be the one to enjoy it with you, $!{callme}."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	#Hit the ground. "I only caught one! I should be better than this."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		My initial relief at finally landing a blow is consumed with annoyance at my own performance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		When the frustration boils over, I slam my balled fist down onto the ground beneath me and grit my teeth. "I only caught one of them! One!" I sink further into the grass with a sigh. "I should be better than this."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{felix} rolls onto ${f_his} side, resting ${f_his} head on ${f_his} bent arm. "Who says you should be better?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Me," I reply before shrugging. "Probably $!{mason}. [i]Definitely[/i] $!{adam}—"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			$!{f_she} tips my head around to face ${f_him}. "Well, you're wrong. And so are they."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			My self-disappointment eases a little as I smile. "Are you going to say that to their faces?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"If I have to," ${f_she} replies with a firm nod. "And to your face too, if you keep doubting yourself."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I roll my eyes. "You just did."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} fingers trace my jaw before cupping my cheek. "You are the most incredible person I've ever met. And I won't let you forget it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"Well, you're all wrong," ${f_she} states, drawing my attention to ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			My self-disappointment eases a little as I smile. "Are you going to say that to their faces?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"If I have to," ${f_she} replies with a firm nod. "And to your face too, if you keep doubting yourself."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I roll my eyes. "You just did."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} fingers slide through the grass beside my arm, the almost accidental touch drawing a soft breath from me. "You are the most incredible person I've ever met. And I won't let you forget it."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	#Close eyes again. "So do I get a nap now as reward?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		I let my body sink further into the grass, the aches pinching tighter before starting to ease. "So do I get a nap now as a reward?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"I certainly won't stop you," ${f_she} says. "It looked exhausting."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I chuckle, opening my eyes so that I can look at ${f_him} again. It seems impossible to be so close and not be taking ${f_him} in.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"It was," I reply.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			$!{f_she} slips ${f_his} hand into mine and closes ${f_his} eyes, ${f_his} long lashes nearly kissing ${f_his} cheekbones. "Then I'll stay here with you until you're ready to go again."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Oh, really?" I ask, not keeping the disbelief from my voice. I roll over onto my side, bringing our hands up between us so as I can better balance. "You're going to lay there, perfectly still, while I nap for say…an hour?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} nose wrinkles. "An hour?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Maybe even two."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} lips twist as ${f_she} frowns. "You humans need to rest for that long?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I flop back down with a laugh. "We are a weak lot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_she} tips my head around to face me, a seriousness pooling in the swirls of amber in ${f_his} eyes. "No. You're anything but weak."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			$!{f_she} folds ${f_his} hands over ${f_his} stomach and closes ${f_his} eyes, ${f_his} long lashes nearly kissing ${f_his} cheekbones. "Then I'll stay here with you until you're ready to go again."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Oh, really?" I ask, not keeping the disbelief from my voice. I roll over onto my side, placing down a hand to better balance. "You're going to lay there, perfectly still, while I nap for say…an hour?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} nose wrinkles. "An hour?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Maybe even two."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} lips twist as ${f_she} frowns. "You humans need to rest for that long?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I flop back down with a laugh. "We are a weak lot."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_his} fingers slide through the grass beside my arm, the almost accidental touch drawing a soft breath from me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I look back to ${f_him} to find a seriousness pooling in the swirls of amber in ${f_his} eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"No. You're anything but weak," ${f_she} whispers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	#Sigh. "Is it always going to be this difficult?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		A blow out a sigh that flutters one of the illusions that sweeps above us. "Is it always going to be this difficult?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Probably," ${f_she} replies with simple honesty. "The more you learn, the more people expect from you. Then the more difficult they make your tasks."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Talking from experience?" I ask.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} nods. "Definitely."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I roll onto my side, placing down a hand to balance better. "And is it still worth it?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			*if ((mc_haircut = "long")or(mc_haircut = "medium"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				"Now?" $!{f_she} reaches out to brush a curl of hair that was plastered to my moist forehead before cupping my cheek. "More than anything."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
				*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				"Now?" $!{f_she} reaches out to brush ${f_his} fingers against my cheek before cupping it. "More than anything."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			$!{f_she} makes to reach out for me but draws back while biting ${f_his} lip.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			Disappointment swirls in the pit of my stomach so strongly that I almost take ${f_his} hand, but just about resist.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Yeah," ${f_she} says while holding my eye. "I think it really is."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	#Try to get up. "I'll be proud when I manage more than one."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		The illusions still swirl and swoop from above us, and I glare at them as though my annoyance alone might make them puff out of existence.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Unfortunately, it isn't.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		So instead, I try to curl myself back up, not holding back my grimace at my body's protests as I manage to sit. "I'll be proud when I manage to get more than one of these things."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{felix} grabs my arm and tugs, the light gesture more than enough to send me toppling back onto the grass. "Not until you've rested enough that you can sit up without making that face."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"What face? That's just my face," I lie as I try to smooth out the lines of fatigue on my expression.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			"Sure, babe," ${f_she} replies. "But how about we rest here anyway. You know, maybe [i]I[/i] deserve a little rest after all my cheering you on."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Oh yes. I'm sure it was very taxing for you," I quip through a soft laugh.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_she} rubs at ${f_his} brow as though it's as sweat-soaked as mine. "So tiring. You have no idea."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I make to roll my eyes, but ${f_his} hand resting softly on my cheek pulls a stuttered breath from me instead.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Or maybe I just want to find any excuse to stay here with you," ${f_she} admits.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"Sure," ${f_she} replies. "But how about we rest here anyway. You know, maybe [i]I[/i] deserve a little rest after all my cheering you on."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Oh yes. I'm sure it was very taxing for you," I quip through a soft laugh.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_she} rubs at ${f_his} brow as though it's as sweat-soaked as mine. "So tiring. You have no idea."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I make to roll my eyes, but ${f_his} hand brushing against my arm pulls a stuttered breath from me instead.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Or maybe I just want to find any excuse to stay here with you," ${f_she} admits.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			*goto chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cfkisschoice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{f_she} gazes at me then in such a way that it feels as though ${f_she} connects with my soul.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*choice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*if (ftogether = "true") #Go with the feel of the moment and kiss ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_cfkisslead                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*if (ftogether = "true") #Let the moment flow as ${f_she} kisses you.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*goto chap8_cfkissnlead                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*if (ftogether = "true") #Go with the moment and cuddle up beside each other.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		I let the moment flow between us, the intensity and strength of it like a barrier around just us that neither of us wants to shatter.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if ((f_man = "woman")and(gender = "male"))                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			Instead, I revel in the safe comfort of it, settling back into the grass and encouraging ${felix} closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_she} instantly nestles ${f_him}self against my side, our bodies fitting perfectly as we lay together on the grass.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			The sun shimmers over the clearing, the warmth of it only adding to this memory which I know I'll cherish forever. I curl my arm further about ${f_him} and draw in ${f_his} summer scent.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_she} spreads ${f_his} hand against my chest. "Your heartbeat is soothing," ${f_she} mumbles dreamily.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			A smile pulls at my lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I could get lost in this moment forever, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*elseif (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
			*if (mc_height = "tall")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
				Instead, I revel in the safe comfort of it, settling back into the grass and encouraging ${felix} closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				$!{f_she} instantly nestles ${f_him}self against my side, our bodies fitting perfectly as we lay together on the grass.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				The sun shimmers over the clearing, the warmth of it only adding to this memory which I know I'll cherish forever. I curl my arm further about ${f_him} and draw in ${f_his} summer scent.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				*if (gender = "male")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
					$!{f_she} spreads ${f_his} hand against my chest. "Your heartbeat is soothing," ${f_she} mumbles dreamily.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
					A smile pulls at my lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
					I could get lost in this moment forever, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
					*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
				*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
					$!{f_she} rests ${f_his} hand at my collarbone, ${f_his} fingertips dancing over my fluttering pulse. "Your heartbeat is soothing," ${f_she} mumbles dreamily.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
					A smile pulls at my lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
					I could get lost in this moment forever, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
					*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				Instead, I revel in the safe comfort of it, nestling against ${felix}'s side, where ${f_she} wraps one arm about me to encourage me even closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				Our bodies fit perfectly as we lay together on the grass.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				The sun shimmers over the clearing, the warmth of it only adding to this memory which I know I'll cherish forever. I rest my arm across ${f_his} toned stomach and draw in ${f_his} summer scent.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} moves ${f_his} arm further up my back so ${f_his} hand can spread over the back of my neck, ${f_his} fingertips dancing over my fluttering pulse. "Your heartbeat is soothing," ${f_she} mumbles dreamily.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				A smile pulls at my lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				I could get lost in this moment, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
				*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*if (bold >= 55)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				Instead, I revel in the safe comfort of it, settling back into the grass and encouraging ${felix} closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				$!{f_she} instantly nestles ${f_him}self against my side, our bodies fitting perfectly as we lay together on the grass.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				The sun shimmers over the clearing, the warmth of it only adding to this memory which I know I'll cherish forever. I curl my arm further about ${f_him} and draw in ${f_his} summer scent.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				*if (gender = "male")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
					$!{f_she} spreads ${f_his} hand against my chest. "Your heartbeat is soothing," ${f_she} mumbles dreamily.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
					A smile pulls at my lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
					I could get lost in this moment forever with just the two of us, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
					*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
				*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
					$!{f_she} rests ${f_his} hand at my collarbone, ${f_his} fingertips dancing over my fluttering pulse. "Your heartbeat is soothing," ${f_she} mumbles dreamily.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
					A smile pulls at my lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
					I could get lost in this moment forever, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
					*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
			*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
				Instead, I revel in the safe comfort of it, nestling against ${felix}'s side, where ${f_she} wraps one arm about me to encourage me even closer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				Our bodies fit perfectly as we lay together on the grass.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				The sun shimmers over the clearing, the warmth of it only adding to this memory which I know I'll cherish forever. I rest my arm across ${f_his} toned stomach and draw in ${f_his} summer scent.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
				$!{f_she} moves ${f_his} arm further up my back so ${f_his} hand can spread over the back of my neck, ${f_his} fingertips dancing over my fluttering pulse. "Your heartbeat is soothing," ${f_she} mumbles dreamily.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				A smile pulls at my lips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
				I could get lost in this moment forever, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
				*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*if ((ftogether = "")or(ftogether = "false")) #Go with the feel of the moment and kiss ${f_him}. [i]Begins relationship[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		*set ftogether "true"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*set ftogetherwhen "threeeight"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*goto chap8_cfkisslead                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	*if ((ftogether = "")or(ftogether = "false")) #Let the moment flow as ${f_she} kisses you. [i]Begins relationship[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
		*set ftogether "true"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*set ftogetherwhen "threeeight"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		*goto chap8_cfkissnlead                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	*if ((ftogether = "")or(ftogether = "false")) #Go with the moment and admit feelings. [i]Begins relationship[/i].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*set ftogether "true"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		*set ftogetherwhen "threeeight"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		I let the moment flow between us, the intensity and strength of it like a barrier around just us that neither of us wants to shatter.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		That is until I can no longer stay silent.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"You mean…a lot to me, ${felix}," I confess, unsure how to word the jumble of emotions that are drawn from me when ${f_she}'s around.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} arches a brow, ${f_his} lips forming an 'O'. "A lot? As in…."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"As in I want us to be," I pause before a smile catches me. "I want us to be an [i]us[/i]."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		The most brilliant of grins dazzles from ${felix} at my words, and ${f_she} instantly tugs me close into an embrace, ${f_his} face nestling into the crook of my neck.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"How long?" ${f_she} mumbles against my sensitive skin, making me shiver. "Have you felt this way for long?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I nod.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} draws back, staring at me with a small crease of a frown. "Then why did you wait so long? I was starting to think I was imagining things between us."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		With a sigh, I cup ${f_his} cheek, and ${f_she} instantly nestles into the touch. "I don't know."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Well, I'm glad we're finally 'us'," ${f_she} repeats my word with a seriousness punctuating it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Happiness blooms between us as we flop back onto the grass and cuddle close together. $!{f_she} turns onto ${f_his} side so as ${f_she} can press ${f_his} body against my side, apparently not wanting to leave the curve of my neck.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_his} breath soothes every part of my being, until I feel like I'm melting into ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I could get lost in this moment forever, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Be surprised at the strength of the moment and glance away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		The intensity of the atmosphere building around us is like a crackling heat storm about to set loose. And bolts of it already sizzle across my skin, drawing from me emotions so deep that my happiness gives way to surprise.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		No one has ever made me feel as ${f_she} has. It's the kind of thing you read about, not experience in real life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Except…apparently I am feeling it. Deeply.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		And it's all for ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I eventually manage to suck in a ragged breath which helps break some of the charged aura.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		It takes a whole lot of effort, but I manage to rip my gaze away from the hypnotising depths of ${f_his} eyes and glance the other way.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		My heart starts to slow to a rhythm other that I no longer have to worry I might have a sudden heart attack.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Are you all right?" ${felix} asks, genuine worry making ${f_his} voice soft.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I nod, not quite trusting myself to speak yet without admitting something I'm not sure I'm quite ready to admit to myself, let alone ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			"You sure, babe?" $!{f_his} hand rests gently on my shoulder, so I roll my head back around to face ${f_him} and instnatly smile.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			*goto chap8_cfkisschoice3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"You sure?" $!{f_his} hand rests gently on my shoulder, so I roll my head back around to face ${f_him} and instnatly smile.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
			*goto chap8_cfkisschoice3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
		*label chap8_cfkisschoice3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		"Yeah," I breathe out. "I'm really good."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	#Suggest getting back to training.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		As much as these emotions that ${felix} always draws from me might be something I should revel in…I don't have time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		Above us, the hazy figures still swoop about, taunting me with staying just out of reach as always.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		I groan as I glare at them. "I seriously need to take out more than one of these things."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{felix} frowns for a moment before shifting ${f_his} gaze to where my enemies are dancing high above.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			$!{f_she} lets out a burst of laughter. "Is that really what you're thinking about right now?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"If they weren't buzzing about us like hornets, I might be able to focus on other things," I admit, my spirits lifted by the sound of ${f_his} cheer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_she} bounces onto ${f_his} feet and offers me a hand. "All right then. We better get back to it if that's what it's gonna take to get your attention back on me."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I shake my head but smile as I take ${f_his} hand and let ${f_him} help me back onto my feet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
			*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
		*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
			"Is that…really what you're thinking about right now?" ${f_she} asks, a strain to ${f_his} words that creates a painful pang in my chest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			"Well, I—"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			$!{f_she} doesn't wait for me to finish before heaving ${f_him}self onto ${f_his} feet with an unusually heavy motion.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			"It's all good," ${f_she} responds, brushing at ${f_his} arm. "Training is important. You're right. I'll get out of your way."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			I watch ${f_him} head to the sidelines, the pang beginning to twist deep and tight against my heart.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
			And I realise with each distancing step how much I wished ${f_she}'d stayed beside me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
			*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
			                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
*label chap8_cfkissnlead                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
*if (ftogether = "true")	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	There's no way I'm letting this moment pass us by. Thoughts of training, thoughts of Anunnaki, thoughts of anything but ${felix} drain away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*goto chap9_cfkissnlead2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	There's no way I'm letting this moment pass us by. All of my previous doubts, my hesitation, everything stopping me from admitting just how much I feel for ${felix} drains away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*goto chap9_cfkissnlead2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap9_cfkissnlead2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
And I sink into the kiss the second ${f_his} lips meet mine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (felixfirstkiss = "")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	*set felixfirstkiss "threeeight"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	It's gentle at first. Barely a whisper of our lips touching. As though I'm only tasting the anticipation that still lingers on my mouth.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Then ${f_his} lips part farther to cover mine…and that's when I realise just how much I already feel for ${f_him} in every way.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_his} mouth continues to move over mine in slow motions, both of us savouring every movement and taste. $!{f_his} body angles closer to deepen the kiss in a way that steals my breath and thought.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	As ${f_his} fingers move to curl around the back of my neck, I can feel ${f_him} smile into the kiss.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	"Whoa…," ${felix} says through a breath as we break away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Our eyes open only to meet each other's. $!{f_his} amber ones are as bright as real gemstones as they gaze at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Happiness lights every part of ${f_his} face.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Yeah," I reply, enjoying the pleasure that permeates every fibre of my being, sparking and tingling like an electrical current through every nerve.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_his} hand trails down the side of my neck before ${f_his} palm covers my collarbone. "Your heart is racing."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_she}'s right.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I place my hand on ${f_his} wrist, feeling the rhythm of ${f_his} pulse beat with the strength of a jackhammer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I smile. "So is yours."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Happiness blooms between us as we flop back onto the grass and cuddle close together. $!{f_she} turns onto ${f_his} side so as ${f_she} can press ${f_his} body against my side, nestling ${f_his} face into the crook of my neck.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	$!{f_his} breath soothes every part of my being, until I feel like I'm melting into ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	I could get lost in this moment forever, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	It's gentle, soft…warm. There's no urgency to it, and the slow way ${f_she} explores my mouth has my toes curling.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I let out a gentle moan, my voice lost as ${f_she} captures it by deepening the kiss, ${f_his} tongue tracing against my bottom lip.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Without breaking apart, ${f_she} rolls me onto my back and slides against me in a smooth motion to rest on top of my body. The weight of ${f_him} against me is comforting, offering an instant sense of safety.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_his} lips break from mine, a slight groan of disappointment falling from me. But the groan turns to a sharp breath when ${f_she} presses another kiss against my throat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Although my body is alight with the sensation of ${f_his} touch on me, ${f_his} kiss is still teasingly gentle.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_his} mouth works down the length of my neck achingly slowly, my skin reacting with a bloom of tingles anywhere ${f_she} touches.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	When ${f_she} finally slides back up my body, I wrap my hands around ${f_him} to tug ${f_him} down into an urgent kiss, but ${f_she} stops an inch from me and gazes into my eyes with a smile.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"We have all the time in the world, babe," ${f_she} whispers before granting me the kiss I'd been so desperate to taste once again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
	*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	An hour could have passed, and we wouldn't have noticed. The only thing I can think about is ${felix} and how ${f_his} touch sends an euphoric bliss washing through me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_his} kisses keep me magnestised to ${f_him} until I eventually have to come up for a breath of reality.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"You know, that device is still whirring," I remind ${f_him} through slightly panted breaths as the noise invades our bubble.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"I have to admit, that's the last thing I care about right now," ${f_she} says with a grin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I roll my eyes with a chuckle. "We should at least turn it off so we don't have a bunch of creepy shadow people watching us."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Well, you probably have a point there," ${f_she} admits, pulling ${f_him}self away to get to ${f_his} feet. I already miss the press of ${f_him} against me and regret saying anything.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	*goto chap8_cf7a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap8_cfkisslead                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
*if (ftogether = "true")	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	There's no way I'm letting this moment pass us by. Thoughts of training, thoughts of Anunnaki, thoughts of anything but ${felix} drain away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	*goto chap9_cfkisslead2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	There's no way I'm letting this moment pass us by. All of my previous doubts, my hesitation, everything stopping me from admitting just how much I feel for ${felix} drains away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*goto chap9_cfkisslead2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*label chap9_cfkisslead2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	And we both sink into the kiss the second my lips meet ${f_his}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*goto chap8_cfkisslead3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	And we both sink into the kiss the second my lips meet ${f_his}s.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*goto chap8_cfkisslead3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
*label chap8_cfkisslead3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (felixfirstkiss = "")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
	*set felixfirstkiss "threeeight"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	It's gentle at first. Barely a whisper of our lips touching. As though I'm only tasting the anticipation that still lingers on my mouth.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		Then I part my lips farther to cover ${f_his}…and that's when I realise just how much I already feel for ${f_him} in every way.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		My mouth continues to move over ${f_his} in slow motions, both of us savouring every movement and taste. $!{f_his} body angles closer to deepen the kiss in a way that steals my breath and thought.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
		*goto fkissvar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		Then I part my lips farther to cover hers…and that's when I realise just how much I already feel for ${f_him} in every way.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		My mouth continues to move over hers in slow motions, both of us savouring every movement and taste. $!{f_his} body angles closer to deepen the kiss in a way that steals my breath and thought.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		*goto fkissvar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	*label fkissvar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	As I move my hand to curl my fingers around the back of ${f_his} neck, I can feel ${f_him} smile into the kiss.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	"Whoa…," ${felix} says through a breath as we break away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Our eyes open only to meet each other's. $!{f_his} amber ones are as bright as real gemstones as they gaze at me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Happiness lights every part of ${f_his} face.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Yeah," I reply, enjoying the pleasure that permeates every fibre of my being, sparking and tingling like an electrical current through every nerve.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_his} hand slides up my arm to cover my collarbone. "Your heart is racing."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	$!{f_she}'s right.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I slide my hand down to ${f_his} wrist, feeling the rhythm of ${f_his} pulse beat with the strength of a jackhammer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I smile. "So is yours."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Happiness blooms between us as we flop back onto the grass and cuddle close together. $!{f_she} turns onto ${f_his} side so as ${f_she} can press ${f_his} body against my side, nestling ${f_his} face into the crook of my neck.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	$!{f_his} breath soothes every part of my being, until I feel like I'm melting into ${f_him}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	I could get lost in this moment forever with just the two of us, even if I know we'll probably only have minutes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
	*goto chap8_cf7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*if (f_man = "man")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
		It's gentle, soft…warm. There's no urgency to it, and I savour the slowness of it as my lips move over ${f_his}.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} smiles against the kiss, and I capture the memory of it as I part my mouth further over ${f_his}, my tongue rolling against ${f_his} bottom lip.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*goto chap8_cfkissleadvar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		It's gentle, soft…warm. There's no urgency to it, and I savour the slowness of it as my lips move over ${f_his}s.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
		$!{f_she} smiles against the kiss, and I capture the memory of it as I part my mouth further over ${f_his}s, my tongue rolling against ${f_his} bottom lip.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
		*goto chap8_cfkissleadvar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	*label chap8_cfkissleadvar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	Without breaking apart, I encourage ${f_him} onto ${f_his} back and slide my body to rest partly on top of ${f_him}. The solidness of ${f_him} beneath me is surprisingly comforting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	When I hesitantly break the kiss, ${f_she} pouts at me, but then a small gasp falls from ${f_him} when I press another kiss against the curve of ${f_his} neck.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Although my body is alight with the sensation of ${f_his} touch on me, I manage to keep my kisses teasingly gentle.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
	I want to savour it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I work my kisses down the tempting arch of ${f_his} throat, a small breath releasing from ${f_him} with each slow caress.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	When I finally slide back up ${f_his} body, ${f_she} wraps ${f_his} fingers into my training shirt and tugs me close, stopping an inch before our lips meet again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Apparently, you already know all the best ways to drive me crazy," ${f_she} whispers before granting me the kiss ${f_she}'d been so desperate to taste once again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
	*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	An hour could have passed, and we wouldn't have noticed. The only thing I can think about is ${felix} and how ${f_his} touch sends an euphoric bliss washing through me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	Our kisses keep me magnestised to ${f_him} until I eventually have to come up for a breath of reality.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"You know, that device is still whirring," I remind ${f_him} through slightly panted breaths as the noise pervades our bubble.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"I have to admit, that's the last thing I care about right now," ${f_she} says with a grin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I roll my eyes with a chuckle. "We should at least turn it off so we don't have a bunch of creepy shadow people watching us."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	"Well, you probably have a point there," ${f_she} admits, shuffling out from beneath me in order to get to ${f_his} feet. I already miss the feel of ${f_him} there and regret saying anything.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*goto chap8_cf7a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cf7		                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
After a while, training once again has to take priority, especially with the insistent flap of the misty figures floating about the clearing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"I know they're only illusions," ${felix} says with a slight curl to ${f_his} lip, "but they aren't half creepy."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I'm about to agree when ${f_his} words set off a spark inside my mind.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Illusions…," I mumble.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{felix} pauses and turns to me with a brow arched. "Yeah."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I push myself onto my feet while staring at the ground, thoughts beginning to whirl and form. "And the Anunnaki has mind-altering abilities too."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
*goto chap8_cfdingding                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cf7a	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
*page_break                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
"You get that they're only illusions though, right?" ${f_she} teases as ${f_she} heads towards the opposite arc of trees. "Ones adapted so as you can actually see them, sure. But still just illusions. Mind you, in the original design, the illusions were so powerful you could actually feel and hit them, too."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Something sparks in my hazy mind at those words.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Illusions…," I mumble.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
$!{felix} pauses and turns to me with a brow arched. "Yeah."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I stare at the ground as thoughts begin to whirl and form. "And the Anunnaki has mind-altering abilities too."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
*goto chap8_cfdingding                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*label chap8_cfdingding                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"Sure…," ${f_she} replies, but I barely hear as the theory begins to solidify in my brain.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I snap my gaze to ${felix}'s. "What if all his abilities are mental?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"All?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
"The barrier he projected. What if I could break through it because it wasn't actually real in the first place?" The words fire out of me so fast they almost become a blurred sentence.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
But ${f_she} obviously understands me perfectly as a smile makes ${f_his} eyes glitter. "You seriously might be onto something there."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I deflate a little. "Maybe. But we should probably run the idea by the others first before getting too excited."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
*if (ftogether = "true")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
	"It's too late for that," ${f_she} comments, speeding forward to grab my hand and lead me at a jog back towards the warehouse. "I believe it already!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	*if (ftogetherwhen = "threeeight")                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
		I stare down at our joined hands as we go. My happiness far outweighing any other thoughts in that moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
		*finish Next Chapter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
	*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		I trail behind ${f_him}, almost chuckling at ${f_his} enthusiasm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
		*finish Next Chapter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
*else                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	"It's too late for that," ${f_she} comments, turning to the trail that leads to the warehouse and beckoning me to follow. "I believe it already!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
	                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
	I trail behind ${f_him}, almost chuckling at ${f_his} enthusiasm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
	*finish Next Chapter