ugh, she
won't interfere."

"And just how do you know that?"

"A trip to the New Eden in the wee hours this morning, when I started
feeling interested for the first time since Shayan worked on me. If I
recall my explorations here correctly, you were with Chuck and Dave,
Sis and Betty with the other two, and I didn't want to wake anyone. I
also didn't want to take Tanj, but you know what a sucker I am--even
worse than you, where kids and animals are concerned. So she went
along, in my pocket. She watched, the first couple of times, then went
to sleep. A pillow on the floor, if you're curious."

"Not primarily about that," Cortin said. "May I be nosy and ask how
many you enjoyed?"

Uncharacteristically, Odeon flushed. "Uh--I can't match you, but--all
the ladies who were awake. You know what it's like when you've been
dry for a while."

"I sure do." Cortin tried to look stern, but failed miserably and gave
up, grinning instead. "I should chew you out for not waking me,
Captain. I assume, however, that you're back to normal and willing to
demonstrate?"

"Willing and eager, Excellency."

* * * * *

Both of them were far more relaxed when they dressed for dinner, though
Tangerine meowed plaintively at Odeon and tried to climb his trouser
leg. He shrugged, grinning at Cortin, and sat down. "Part of her
routine this time of day, I'm afraid," he apologized as the kitten
jumped to his shoulder and began nibbling at his earlobe.

"Has you pretty well trained, doesn't she?" Cortin said, chuckling.

"Uh-huh." Odeon dug into a pocket, unwrapped and handed the kitten a
piece of something Cortin couldn't identify but Tangerine obviously
could; she hopped down to his lap with a sound halfway between a purr
and a growl, eating her treat. Odeon let her finish, then put her on
the floor. "I'm cleared for the convent defense, then."

Cortin nodded. "You are. I just wish I were, too."

* * * * *

The following evening, Cortin went to Odeon's room shortly before
supper. "Mike, got a minute?"

"Any time. What's up?"

"Not that, this close to supper--will you and Sis be holding services
this evening?"

"Of course. Are you going to bring Blackfeather?"

Cortin hesitated. "I don't know," she said at last. "She'll have to
be exposed to it sooner or later, but I'm not sure an evening before
the team goes into combat is the right time. If she reacts ba