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What was happening to her... to him? She... he... her mind had two voices...

Let’s start with what we know, the male voice said, all business.

All right, replied the female voice. I am Rumy... in Rikk’s body... I came in this bathroom to hide from Alisin... I used the toilet, and I’m sorry... and ever since using it... ever since totally acknowledging the body, I have been...

Sinking.

It’s okay, said the male voice. I’m coming back to myself. I’m sure you are too, wherever you are.

I... the female voice knew she should say nothing. But she couldn’t hide anything from the male, not here. I don’t want to leave you.

You won’t.

I don’t want to give you back to her... I...

Doors were opening and slamming on the second floor now.

...She loves you and I am being selfish, the female voice finished.

You’re not! shouted the male. Or was it the male? The voices were beginning to blend. I am! I’ve the one who’s been ignoring...

   You haven’t been ignoring, you just didn’t know, and why should you know? So many girls ignored you for so long, how could you believe that more than one loved you now?

   You... I... I don’t know what... it’s wrong that I should forget... looking at you, I mean you looking at me, after I held you when you were shaking, there at that convention, and knowing... did I, I mean, did you know you loved me then? It’s fading...

   It’s fading. It’s not right it should fade. It’s not right.

   So do what? Tattoo a note onto yourself? Alisin would see it before you did...

The men’s bathroom banged open. Alisin began checking the stalls.

Rikk’s hands reached into his pants pocket, pulled out a pen... and drew the words onto the wall of the bathroom stall, before anything could stop them...

He stared at it for a moment. Conscious thought left him.

BANG went the door.

"GYOTCHA!"

Alisin shot a dart onto the side of Rikk’s head with an efficiency that would have done Bobba Fett proud.

"Yeah," Rikk said, coming back to himself. "You did."

"Pretty sassy, hidin’ in th’ chicks’ room," said Alisin, magnanimous in victory. "I can’t say I woulda expected it of ya..."

"Hm," said Rikk, still looking at the wall.

Alisin walked around and into the stall with him, looking at it too.

"Huh," she said, keeping her voice carefully neutral. "Two surprises in one. I never woulda figured Rumy f’r the graffiti type. So help me out here, I don’t read Japanese. What’s it say?"

Rikk regarded the kanji for a moment longer.

"I have no idea," he said truthfully.