[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.It just comes out that way.""In this section," Cory agreed."Other sections have other reversals.Do you wish to experience them?""Oh, yes!" Sherlock said with surprising pleasure.Clio remembered now: she had written about this not all that long ago.It was different, experiencing it."Yes, as long as they are harmless or can be reverted to normal.""That's why we are with you," Tessa said."Yak and Kerd can handle them, but you could have problems.This way.""Yak" and "Kerd" carried them to several other sections.Along the way they saw six-legged cows, four-winged birds, and twin-hulled fish, the natural creatures of this land.There were sparkling clouds of insects that didn't sting.Then the reversals: in one section Clio and Sherlock, normally thin, became fat, and not with nice curves.They reverted to normal the moment Cory and Tessa guided them back into a sidestep aisle.In another they both became dull to the point of utter stupidity, the opposite of their usual natures.Then something odd happened."I'm a-I've got a-" Clio said, appalled."And I have two-" Sherlock said.Indeed, he had become a middle-aged woman with a prominent bosom."You reversed genders," Cory said, ushering them back into the aisle."That was awful!" Clio said."Yet for those dissatisfied with their genders, this would be ideal," Tessa said."It's painless and permanent, if they don't enter an aisle."In another section, Sherlock turned white and Clio verified with a mirror that she had become a member of the Black Wave.Their clothing changed color too.In another, Sherlock became a thin young man, while Cory and Tessa became thick old women.Young and old ages had reversed.Clio didn't change.She realized that perhaps she had become as young as she looked; since she was essentially ageless, it didn't show.In yet another, Cory and Tessa exchanged heights.Clio and Sherlock hardly changed; they were average and remained so.Thus being in the center range was a safeguard.Then Sherlock turned supremely handsome without changing his age or color.And Clio had genuine curves."You may stay the night here, if you wish," Cory said."It is getting late.""Kay and Drek are already bringing food for supper," Tessa said."And a tent with bedding."Clio started to protest, but couldn't get the words out.To spend the night in this condition-it was wickedly tempting.Where else was it even possible?"Why not?" Sherlock asked rhetorically.They had a nice meal of wholesome fruits and juices, with no boot rear or other puns.No pies either; they did not grow on trees.It was odd but satisfying.Drew and Drusie elected to go with Drek to see dragon things, knowing they were unlikely to have another chance.Both of them found this land fascinating."It is safe here," Kay said."We'll pick you up in the morning." She and the others departed.Thus suddenly, Clio and Sherlock were alone."You know this isn't coincidence," Clio said."They set it up," he agreed."They regard us as a couple, and they assumed we would want to take full advantage of this setting.""Why did you agree to this?""Because I relate singularly well to this land, and want to experience more of it.Also, we have a serious matter to discuss, and this gives us privacy we can't otherwise have."He certainly had a point."I thought you might find a pretext to depart, once you saw me curveless.""Let's prepare for bed, and talk before we sleep."Was he avoiding the issue? They took turns washing in the nearby stream and changing to the night clothing their hosts had thoughtfully provided.It was totally dark as they settled down within the tent, lying beside each other."Did you peek as I washed?" she asked."I did," he admitted."I couldn't help myself.You are absolutely lovely.""So did I.You are such a handsome man, at the moment.""It is true that I admired your curves from the outset," Sherlock said."I am after all a man; this is what men do.But that was never the main barrier between us.""My supposed curves were a barrier?""Yes, because what would such a beautiful woman want with an old and thoroughly ordinary man? My foolish days are behind me; I learned realism about women the unkind way.""And never married.""I can't blame them.I never had much to recommend me.""You were a good and decent man!""What is your point?"This set her back.Obviously the woman of the Black Wave had been more interested in handsome, powerful, or otherwise impressive men.Sherlock had been unimpressive.She had seen it before; young women could be foolish."But I am not young, regardless of my appearance, with or without curves," she said."I do value decency.And you have other admirable qualities I have come to know.I would like to have a closer relationship with you.""Perhaps."Now she was nettled."Is it some failing in me? I confess I have no direct personal experience with men.If I have made blunders, perhaps that is to be expected.If I have offended you, I deeply regret it.I hope you will tell me where I went wrong."He reached out and took her hand in the darkness."You have not gone wrong, Clio.I think I love you."She had hoped for candor, and for a positive outcome, but this was more than anticipated."You-think?""I have learned caution in all things.Things and people are not necessarily what they appear to be, or may have hidden aspects [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]