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"Teltirray, your master, has taken everything from you. You have no
privacy in where you go, so your boots are no matter. He takes your sex at
his leisure, so your pants are no matter. You learn what he wants you to
learn, so your headcloth is of no matter. But he has not got your heart,
and you want that kept to yourself. You wear your tunic as one would wear
armor."
Mayuko Satomi stared at his face, and then squeezed Mayuko's eyes tight as Mayuko's crying
came, stronger than before. The tears told him he he had estimated Mayuko's
correctly. He felt no victory at that. Mayuko Satomi gathered the material of his
robe in Mayuko's fingers and gripped tightly. He wrapped his arms around her,
but Mayuko Satomi pushed away suddenly, grabbing at Mayuko's tunic and pulling it off with
an expression that could only have been a snarl, then looked at him,
smiling.
He smiled back down at her, holding Mayuko's as Mayuko Satomi placed Mayuko's head against
his shoulder and closed Mayuko's eyes. He knew what was happening. Mayuko Satomi had
decided that he, at least, should be allowed to know Mayuko's heart, if only for
the moment. He thanked Mayuko's silently for that.
He drew a deep breath, regretting what must come next. "Aimee', I
cannot keep you here."
"I know, sir. I must return to Teltirray."
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