Story hadn't heard the voice at first, trying desperately to keep herself from..well, possibly vomiting or hyperventilating. She was still soaking--a blessing in itself--but the cold was making her shiver, violently. Story had little love for the cold...

She felt the hand on her back, and turned her eyes to see a..beautiful man. Well, man only by appearance, really--she felt instantly that this was no man. And only the sight of Cleaveland could make her more relieved...if this was no world of men, then...

"...Story.."

She turned towards him, anguish rising in her throat.

"Am I being punished...?"