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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Savannah, June 1994</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"You seem rather drained, apprentice. And we have yet to complete the formula. Are your studies
at home so arduous?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Stefan rubbed his eyes. "Your advice about distractions left me a little short on sleep. My younger
daughter has been screaming and dancing in circles around me while I try to meditate. I think it has sharpened my ability to focus, but she's using it as an excuse to act like that any time she wants."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Doctor Kelley laughed, a little maliciously. "Another troublemaker in the making, eh? This would
be young Mina?" His humor faded, and he became thoughtful. "Short for Wilhelmina, is it?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Yes." Stefan rubbed his eyes. Kelley had never expressed interest in his youngest child before.
Stefan wasn't sure he wanted the man more interested in his family than he was already. "Why?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Unusual name. I know a Wilhelm. Professionally. There couldn't possibly be a connection...?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"She's named after a character in a book. I *</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000;font-style:italic" class="ContentPasted0">don't</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">*
know a Wilhelm, or a mage outside of this house."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Kelley nodded. "Of course. Coincidences do happen, despite what some would have you believe. Still,
one notices things, this close to the end... Speaking of which, I have been working on something in my spare time. You may find it of interest." He brought forth a small stack of parchment and passed it across to Stefan, who took it hesitantly. Fortunately,
the notes seemed to be on paper rather than some kind of skin, and sturdier than they looked.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">He flipped through the procedure, unable to suppress a spike of pleasure at how much he was now
able to understand compared to when he had begun his studies. Xanthosis... Azoth... Sophic Spam... Was this another test? He delved deeper, grateful for the distraction as the potion he had most recently prepared bubbled and cooled.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"You mean to do this instead of what we've been practicing all this time?" He asked finally, trying
not to show how disturbed he was. "Estella is becoming more and more active. She might even get into more trouble than Mina soon. The potion is working. She CAN have a normal life... I just have to perfect my technique."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Kelley shrugged. "It was more of an intellectual exercise for me, but I thought the alternative
method might appeal to you if you find the current one too... draining." He smiled, looking pleased as he took his papers back. "You deserved to know your options at least. Your preparation looks almost acceptable, apprentice. I'm even starting to think that
this collaboration may be more than a total waste of both our time."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Stefan ignored the jab, as he did all the small indignities, exhausting exercises, and apparently
pointless games. It was a small price to pay for something for which he would have given everything. "Is it good enough to keep my daughter alive when you aren't around to make it for me?" </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">The mage removed the two vials of cloudy liquid from the heating apparatus, placing them on the
scarred surface of the bench. "Let us make a test. Your hand, Stefan Lightborne."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">The normalguy stretched out his left arm, palm up, wincing a little. Although in truth this way
was less painful than all but the most skillfully wielded syringe, it was a good deal more unnerving. A bead of blood formed on his wrist, pooling right over the vein. Kelley motioned with a finger, and a thin stream arched up and over, pouring itself into
the vial closest to the archmage. The liquid hissed in reaction, changing color immediately to a violent, brilliant red. He lifted the vial, swirling it precisely five times. Each time, the color shifted, until the concoction was a rich golden color, shedding
a faint light. </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">The mage smiled thinly. "Repeat that, if you can." </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Stefan bit his lip, carefully moved his bleeding arm until it was over a nearby beaker, then turned
it until the blood dripped in. Taking up a pipette (strange how much of this alchemical equipment looked like it belonged in a modern laboratory) he measured out the required amount, then squirted it into his own vial. He let out his breath in an involuntary
sigh of relief as the contents turned bright red. Was it the exact right shade? A glance at Kelley proved inconclusive. Stefan cleared his mind as best as he could, falling deep into himself until he felt the faint flicker he had been taught to recognize as
his own magic, and reached for the vial…</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">... And then everything seemed so much heavier. Stefan's body felt lethargic as if he'd run a
marathon, every nerve numb except the tips of his fingers where they touched the smooth glass of the vial; there, his skin still tingled. </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">With an effort, the last of his energy and courage, he cracked his eyes open to see the fruit
of his labors.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Well." stated Theodore Kelley, a smug smile twitching through his beard. "It looks like the child
may live to adulthood, after all."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Stefan, his exhausted and wondering eyes reflecting a golden glow, could barely nod.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">*****</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Savannah, present</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Mina was about three hits away from finishing her little brother off when he asked her, "So when
are we going out to investigate the Five Candles Fire?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">She gasped. Onscreen, the She-Devil faltered, receiving a pizza in the face from Flatphoot that
knocked her down, ending the round. Incensed, Mina turned to Drew. "How did you know? You--you've been going through my things--"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"You left this in MY bedroom," he pointed out, bringing forth an old spiral notebook. "I thought
it was a present! Here we go, five pages for five dead chicks and some names and notes underneath. I had to look them up. You looking to solve a fifteen year old cold case? That's some detective shit and I want in."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Watch your mouth, punk!" Mina snatched her notebook back. "I'm not solving any cases. It's just...
something I'm curious about."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"One of those addresses is here in Savannah. We should go get some clues."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Andrew." She paused, knowing that to voice her true concern would be to let him know she was
investigating something potentially dangerous at the whim of a being who was definitely dangerous. Then there would be no way to shut him up about it. "It's pretty boring, actually... The building I work in was built over the Five Mystical Candles Esoteric
Shoppe--you know, the place where it happened. I was just curious about, you know, the women who died there. I wanted to know what sort of people they were, before..." She trailed off, suddenly feeling a little sad.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Drew examined her skeptically. "Ooo-kay... you're off the hook... but if I see you doing superguy
stuff you better let me in on it."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Only if you stop cheating in video games, you wanna-be villain--what's that?" For there came
from downstairs a 'fsss fsss fsss' noise, as of someone running their hands forcefully across a wooden surface</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"What the--" came her father's voice, and then the sound of the front door opening. Then a startled
yelp, and a series of rapid thumps coming up the stairs, and a growling, if growling could be happy. Then Maow was through the door and on her.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Mmmmmmminnnnnnnaaaaaaa!" </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">*****</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">San Francisco, present</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Daniel Sersy strode into the lobby of MetaStasis, nodding to the peons at the security desk. They
knew who he was, but it never hurt to be magnanimous. They did let him through without question, although all he got were cool looks. Daniel clenched his fists, plastering a pleasant, tolerant expression onto his face. If they didn't respect him now, they
would learn to someday.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">His mood did not improve as the elevator doors opened, disgorging the exuberant smugness of Ron
Simpkins. "Danny boy!" Exclaimed the unwelcome addition, thumping Daniel hard on the shoulder. "Enjoying things down in regulation-free utopia?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I get results." Daniel said stiffly. "How about you? That Zoomah managerial prototype lasted
a whole five minutes against a real threat, didn't it? At least that's what I heard. I warned you Jacksonville was a dangerous city."</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000;font-style:italic" class="ContentPasted0"> You failed,</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0"> he
wanted to rail,</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000;font-style:italic" class="ContentPasted0"> you stepped on my turf and you couldn't hold your own. What do you have to be so happy about?</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"All part of the trial process, Danny-boy! We got loads of useful data. And it wasn't just the
combat. The commercial mode was a big hit with the clients. In fact, we've got even more on board to expand the project! The next one won't go down so easy. Next time some bozo in third-hand armor down your way tries to mess with one of them, he'll be dealing
with... well." He winked. "Don't want to spoil the surprise. Just enjoy your front row seat! Unless... you want in on this? Heard you had some security problems of--"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"No! Thank you." Daniel made himself relax. It was perfectly natural to not want to be in debt
to a rival. "That incident won't be repeated. Thank you anyway." </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Haven't got any secrets left worth stealing, eh?" Ron chuckled. "Well, if you change your mind,
try and catch me on a good day. So long, Danny-boy!" And he strode out through the lobby</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000;font-style:italic" class="ContentPasted0">Secrets worth stealing</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">,
Daniel seethed, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000;font-style:italic" class="ContentPasted0">I have secrets oh yes I do but they won't be stolen by your robot spies.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0"> He
did regret, somewhat, not being privy to the details of the new Zoomah upgrades. He should have known that it would be too much to ask for the interloper's project to be canceled after a single setback, and it would be much harder to arrange the next.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">He used the elevator ride to collect his thoughts, returning them to the situation at hand.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Stepping out on the top floor, he walked past the offices of the vice president, senior vice president,
executive development vice president, senior managerial president, junior managerial president, and the president of creative innovation productiveness seminar presentations.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Finally he reached the end of the hall and opened the door at the end to reveal a receptionist
behind a desk, whom he favored with a smile. </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Hello, Daniel!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Hello, Matilda."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Your father is waiting for you. Here," she pushed forward a glass bowl, "have a caramel."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Thank you, Matilda." Daniel said, taking three. He cursed the woman silently as he unwrapped
the first one; she knew his weakness. Popping it into his mouth and chewing rapidly, he retracted the curse. The caramel was delicious, and he would need his strength. Matilda, he decided, could live and prosper.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Smiling at her to show his lack of ill-will, he pushed through the doors into his father's office
and took in the people inside it... and bent over choking as the remnants of caramel candy were sucked abruptly down his windpipe.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">A single finger tapped his back once, lightly. To his surprise, Daniel began to get his breath
back immediately. He looked up to the figure sitting behind the desk, to see John Sersy's leathery face frowning at him as usual. He forced himself to stand up straight. "Sorry. Hello, dad." He croaked. Swallowed. "Is this the guy you wanted to introduce me
to?" He let his eyes wander to the leather couch tucked in a corner, and the dark-haired figure on it, who didn't look up from his phone or acknowledge the question. This silence might have been due to the large noise canceling headphones the figure sported,
but Daniel suspected, with a wariness born of familiarity, a more deliberate recalcitrance.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Fixated on the irrelevant as usual, eh, Danny-boy?" His father smirked. "That's just another
assistant of mine, no one you need to know. You should be more interested in Blago, here, who's already saved your life just now."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">His line of inquiry thus severed, Daniel was forced to table his burning curiosity for the moment.
When John Sersy said you didn't need to know, you had to go elsewhere to find out... quietly. Instead, he looked behind him to his unexpected savior, a square bodied, square headed man, hairy necked underneath a fruity looking robe, who stared at him expressionlessly.
"Yes. Thanks, um, Blago."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Blago bowed slightly.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Off to a great start. Blago is going to be your new best friend. He's a mage. Within the month,
he's going to get every holding of ours in Florida locked down like the voodoo equivalent of Fort Knox. Or do they also use voodoo at Fort Knox? Huh. Something to look into."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"A mage?" Daniel blurted. "But I'm a scientist! I run a science lab!" He regretted the outburst.
At the word 'scientist' his father's lips twisted in a grimace.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"You do such a good job running a science lab that you lost a valuable prototype which, you told
me, could revolutionize the nature of advertising!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"We can rebuild--"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">His father slammed a fist on the desk. Daniel flinched, Blago didn't move, and on the couch, the
assistant's eyes flicked up only briefly. "Do you think high tech do-dads made of rare earth metals grow on trees? Hoo!" he puffed out a breath of air, deserting his leather office chair to go to a sideboard, where he poured and downed a glass of brown fluid.
Turning around, he shook his head, disappointed. "That's the kind of thinking I'd expect out of a son who majored in Science instead of Business against my wishes. I suppose I should just be grateful you didn't choose to study something like history. Or, Elvis
save us, English! But that's water under the bridge. What you'll do now is escort your new mage back to Jacksonville, show him the works, do everything he recommends, and send me the itemized bill like you always do."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Why, sir?" Daniel asked meekly.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I've found out some interesting things about what's going on in that city." His father grew calmer,
as they moved to another topic. "In the state of Florida, frankly. Now, they respect innovation down there. Practically no regulation on development of supertech as long as you can get people to sign the right forms. That's why we kept the Jacksonville branch
open after that genetic </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">engineering</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0"> debacle. The spandex brigade
down there was never more than local flavor and occasional testing material, until they started stealing our prototypes. That city's a bit of an anomaly in that regard. All supervillains and no heroes! Did you ever hear of anything like it? </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"No," he continued as Daniel shook his head, "because it doesn't happen anywhere else. If anything,
the villains follow the heroes! For some reason, though, in Jacksonville, every superhuman and science nut popping up since the 90s has taken a look at old ladies with groceries and kittens in trees and said, 'Nah, not for me!' Does that strike you as odd?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"They're looking out for number one." Daniel said reflexively. "Like you always told me. Maybe
they're just smarter than the rest."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">A sad, disappointed look. "Son. If they were really smart, they'd stay on the right side of the
law and make their living off the gratitude of society. That's what all the real smart ones do. Just look at that Spoonman fellow! Now there's a real model of entrepreneurial spirit!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"So you've been telling me," Daniel said sullenly, "since I was a boy. So they're smart enough
to look out for number one but perhaps they're... not well suited to being bound by the constraints of the law?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"All of them? And none even tried out being a boy scout? No, it's an anomaly. And not just that."
John Sersy studied his son. Then the derisive smile, that made Daniel's blood boil as it rendered him wordless. "Never mind, son. Just know that I've been looking into it, and I've made some discoveries. Just keep the mage close and trust him to do what he's
being paid for. And son? Stay out of Georgia until I give you the all-clear. Especially Savannah."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">*****</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Savannah, present</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"You got this, girl! I'm rooting for ya!" cheered Drew, who had retreated to the other side of
the room.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"What *</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000;font-style:italic" class="ContentPasted0">is</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">*
all this?" Demanded James, rushing in to the sight of a hairy beast in denim determinedly rubbing the side of her face against his stepdaughter's head. "Get off of her!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Mina pushed aside the furry chin enough to speak. "Dad, it's okay! It's Maow! She's a friend of
mine from Jacksonville!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Drew carefully put down the desk lamp he had taken up. "A catgirl!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Apparently having scent-marked Mina to her satisfaction, Maow stood up to examine her family,
nose twitching. If she felt the awkwardness of the situation, she didn't show it. "Mmmina's nestmates. I grrreeet you human fashion." Daintily, she reached out a hand. James hesitated, looking her up and down, and while he did so his son popped in front of
him, taking the offered digits and giving them a pump.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Wow, soft! I'm Drew, by the way."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Maow made a polite feline noise, almost bringing her palm up to her face for a lick before she
caught herself. She turned her appealing eyes to the other human in the room, who took her hand grudgingly. "James. Remind me to show you where the doorbell is before you leave." He looked reprovingly at Mina. "A little advance warning would have been nice."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"She didn't tell me, either!" Mina protested, dusting cat hairs off her clothes. </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">James lifted an eyebrow. "I see. And how long were you going to be staying, Maow?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"How... looonnnng?" Maow looked startled by the question, and Mina groaned inwardly.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Maow, what are you doing here? Did you drive, or...?" Mina trailed off, wondering what the alternatives
to driving were for catgirls.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Mmmmmmmissed you." She blinked her blue eyes, slowly.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">The slow blink had its intended effect, and Mina smiled, letting a little bit of adrenaline drain
away. "I'm actually glad you're here. I--"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I'd like to have a talk with you myself. About the polite way to ask someone for something you
want. I'm Sophie. Pleasure to meet you." She stepped into the room, boldly holding out her hand. Maow hesitated, then took it. </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Hours later, Maow emerged from her verbal examination by Mina's mother wide eyed, flat eared and
puffy furred. As Sophie bustled off, apparently satisfied, to join her husband in the kitchen, Mina escorted the frazzled catgirl into the living room, stroking her soothingly. "She can be a little overprotective. I told her about all that stuff, you know,
where you and your friends were trying to get that missing machine part and kind of terrorized me. Well, you did! But then you came to rescue me and that counts for a lot." Maow's ears were starting to lift a little, and Mina ventured a scratch behind the
closest one, which the catgirl leaned into. </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I did nnnot flee. Nor scratch. Though she frrrrightened me! Inayya would be proud."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Drew looked up from the table where he had been pretending to do schoolwork. "You're cute, but
you better not scratch my mom. Though I bet she'd take you in a fight."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I do nnnooot scratch! Except to fight villains. And I knnnow how to uuuuse your human toilet!
I have a real haaairbrush--what is sooo funny, kitten? If you laugh at me I willlll sit on you!" Her tail lashed, but her ears were up now and she was starting to purr.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"You're doing really well, Maow. But maybe don't talk about the toilet stuff?" Mina tried to hide
her own smirk.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Stuuupid human taboos!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Give her a break, Mimi. I was really proud of going potty once. When I was like, two."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I mmmmentioned it," said Maow, dignified, "because Mina once voiced a concerrrn--"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"When I didn't know you so well!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Hey, it's cool. Whatever floats your boat. So are you here to help Mina with this ghost hunt
she's doing?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I'm not hunting ghosts!" Mina said, so shrilly Maow's ears swiveled away from her. "Where did
you get the idea I was hunting ghosts?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Ghosts? Yyyyou mean the innnnedible part of a dead human?" </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I thought you didn't do that!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"No, that's the skeleton." Drew thought about it. "You probably can't eat ghosts, either. They're
all incorporeal and shit."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Cannnn't eat human skeleton? I haaaave eaten deer skeletonnnn, cow skeleton whennnnnn it doesn't
explode firrrrrst. Not pigeon or chickennnn. Do humans have a splinterrrrry skeleton like chicken? I'll have to ask mmmmmy sisters. Iiiii," she patted Mina's hand reassuringly, "have nnnnnever eaten human, including the bones. Have seen ghosts. Caaaaannnnot
touch or bite, but I have seen them."</span></p>
<br class="ContentPasted0">
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Mina was still processing the first part of Maow's statement, so there were a few seconds of silence
before she managed to react to the second. "Wait! You can see ghosts? Are there any here right now?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Maow's eyes became wide and reproachful. "Minaaaa. I would let you knnnow!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Mina sighed as a tension she had been carrying since she had first been accosted by Elemental's
disembodied voice left her. "Oh thank Elvis!" She sank back on the couch.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I wooould fix it with mmmmmy stare," Maow continued, snuggling her body against Mina's comfortingly,
"and perrrrrhaps scream, to frrrrrighten it. When I seeeee one it always flees. Is it the sinnnnging one, who killed the sad mmmmman? It won't come for you while I'm here."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Wait, you're really looking for ghosts? I was joking about that!" Drew gaped.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Mina sighed again, in exasperation this time. "Andrew, I don't want you tagging along. It'll be
really boring and I'll have to listen to you whine the whole time and I'm really not in the mood--"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"She just said that ghost killed someone!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I'm not going to look for the ghost, I'm just gonna go around talking to some people! It will
be super boring, Drew, I swear!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Boring, my ass! I want in!"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Andrew! Watch your language. There's a guest in the house." James said, pushing the door open.
He nodded to Maow, more at ease than he had been before. "Since you're here, we'd like to get to know you. Mina hasn't had friends over to meet us since she was in middle school. Fortunately, we had already planned to eat steak tonight, which is something
I suppose you can eat?" Maow nodded, adding a happy "brrrp" noise. "You've also found the couch. You'll be sleeping on it tonight. We can't afford to feed you steak every night, so if you want to stay any longer we'll have to find some alternatives. You do
know, er..." he paused in his pronouncements, giving Mina an embarrassed look, "you know how to eat from a plate, right?"</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"I haaaad lessons." Maow said primly.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"You're gonna do fine!" Mina told her. "Dad, Maow and I are going out tomorrow morning so I can
show her the city."</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">"Tomorrow's a school day!" Drew protested. </span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">Mina only smirked.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Courier New';color:#000000" class="ContentPasted0">*****</span></p>
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<div class="elementToProof"><span style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br>
</span></div>
<div class="elementToProof"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", monospace; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Continued in part 2</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br>
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