[Psidev-ms-cvs] nov returned the look, affect

[Oldenburger M. <rhi...@co...>]

An's mistress," Odeon said drily. "He's taken her to Hell, though
only
his palace--we might both be surprised what she's seen. And she's
adaptable." * * * * * Blackfeather wasn't feeling particularly
adaptable when she woke from

Chang's drug; she was

still too shaken by what she'd found out when
Odeon had released the compulsions that had held her for so long.

It was a relief to find a woman sitting beside her
bed--and almost a relief that the woman wore Enforcement gray,
with a medic's specialty badge. "You're the one who gave me the
shot?" she asked as she sat up. "I am. Medic-Lieutenant Eleanor

Chang, otherwise called Piety or Sis. I regret that your welcome to
our home was so traumatic, though the drug should have
helped. We have waited
lunch, in case you cared to join us." To Blackfeather's astonishment,
the medic's words made her realize she was hungry--and the idea of
eating with Enforcement
troopers was more attractive than not. After what Odeon

had suffered to help her, she was willing to

believe there might really be more than talk
to their motto of "We Serve, to Protect". She might not manage to
feel protected just yet, but at least she no longer felt threatened.
"Do I
have time to clean

up a bit, Lieutenant?" "Of course. Colonel
Cortin has asked me to apologize for her earlier insistence on
meeting you immediately, and hopes you will understand and forgive
her." "Let's