Maybe so, by her definition, but the suggestion was nev -- ertheless overpowering.

She pointed to his crotch. "You. Sit. Same."

That was true, but he was a man. Also, his clothing was considerably looser in that region, revealing no private con -- tours.

Colene was unconvinced. "Oh, Darius -- you make me laugh."

True, he had made her laugh -- and he had experienced no depletion. But he realized that was because'magic was not operative in this reality. Here, it seemed, the transfer of emo -- tion did not cost the source. Indeed, he had not even been trying to make her laugh; she had done it on her own.

That gave him something to think about. Was it possible that she was a self-generating joy person? If so, she was per -- fect! But he could not presume too much; her ready laughter might merely be because her level was high, and could be as readily depleted as that of any other person.

At least he had learned something: in this reality, the mere fact of physical material covering a region was considered sufficient discretion. Her entire genital region had been ex --

posed in outline, but because there was opaque material be -- tween her flesh and his vision, she had no concern. That explained her action of the night too: her breast had been quite tangible to his touch, soft and warm, yet because there had been a thin barrier of material, she considered it no ex -- posure. Apparently she believed that he could have no sexual excitement if he saw or touched the outline, rather than the direct flesh. Perhaps that was the way of men here, being unmoved by views that would have maddened men of his own reality. He would school himself to react accordingly, difficult

as it would be.

Now he was glad he had been cautious during the night!

Had a woman of his own reality come to him in the manner Colene had, lightly garbed, sharing his bed, and placing his hand on pans of her body, it could only have been because she wished very much to fornicate with him. Her Yes and No would have been merely indications of the approach he was to make: first kissing, then fondling, and finally copulation if she did not change her mind. It would have indicated phe -- nomenal trust in him, for men were not known for diffidence once embarked on the exploration of female flesh. He had assumed that her actions were not identical in significance to those of women of his own reality, and made no attempt at all to pursue a sexual experience. This, as it had turned out, had been the correct course.