When Susan had been speaking with her Rita had been silent or passive. Now that she was gone Devin found himself faced with a very different woman one who didn't apparently care about Susan's order to get along with him. He couldn't blame her. Especially knowing that in the morning the only thing waiting for her was death inside of Susan's stomach. “I have to know why Susan is doing this before I can be certain of anything! I love her and won't condemn her without speaking to her first.”

Rita, “You really believe that she could justify this?”

Instead of continuing yelling at Rita from his hiding spot Devin couldn't help but stand up and look at the woman. As he looked at her she looked back at him and gave no signs of turning away. “I'm frightened by the fact that Susan had spoken of me accepting what has happened here and winning me over but made no mention of approving of what she's done. I'm frightened by the fact that Susan knows me and that I believe she loves me. She knows what I would be able to accept, what I could forgive and what I could condone. It worries me that Susan might know something about me that even I can't accept that I might not be the person I believe I am. However, it might be that Susan knows something about the rest of you that I don't know.”

Rita, “So you think we might have done something to deserve this kind of treatment?”

For a moment Devin was silent as he looked at Rita. This had been nagging him the entire time since he had began helping the others to escape. He loved Susan and wanted to trust her. “I don't know if it's possible for all of you to have done something to deserve this but there may be something to make it easier to accept.” As he spoke Devin found himself walking towards Rita who had stopped at the edge of the plate and shown no signs of climbing down.

Rita, “I see. So you think your woman might be aiming for some point between what you can approve of and what you couldn't let her get away with? Then why are you trying to help those others escape?”

Devin, “I've thought about that for a long time. It's because I might be wrong. If I speak with Susan and she truly has a good reason for all of this then I can tell her where the others are. However, if I wait for them to be eaten and I can't find good reason for what she's done then it'll be too late. It's already too late for a lot of them but until I know for sure I have to help protect those I can.”

By now Devin had came close enough to the plate for Rita to reach down to him. As she looked at him she found herself settling down on her knees and extending a hand down towards him. “Come on I'll help you up.”

Devin, “Are you sure you want to do that? You seem pretty upset with me.”

Rita, “I am! But part of my deal with Susan is that I don't give you a hard time. I probably messed that up already but hoping for some revenge might be worth it.” As she spoke Rita took hold of Devin's preferred hand and helped him to climb up onto the plate. She didn't wait for him to stand however before she began to make her way back to the tart.

Devin, “Rita I've heard Susan claim several times that you all had given her the right to do this and that you belonged to her. No one seems to know exactly when that happened. She's also said that you're not the type of people she would waste pity on several times as well. Rita I know what kind of person Susan views as disposable or even worthy of removal.”

Rita, “Then why are you helping them and making this more difficult instead of being with me!”

Devin's legs wouldn't have buckled more quickly if he had been struck with a bat. The sudden change in voice wasn't quite the same as Susan's but that had changed several times during the night. The energy contained in that voice however and the words were most assuredly Susan's. “Susan is that you?”

Rita was immediately made to recoil as she covered her mouth a huge grin spreading across her lips despite her mistake while her skin turned a bright red. “Uh, whoops?”

Devin, “What? What's going on here?” As he spoke Devin found himself backing away suddenly very concerned at any moment Susan would enter from her bedroom. He didn't get far before he felt Rita's hands wrap around his right wrist.

Rita, “Devin stop. You don't need to run away from this body there is no way for it to truly restrain you and I really am asleep in the bedroom. You asked what was going on so I'll tell you first. I am inside of this body but I'm also inside of the body sleeping in my bedroom but we're not aware of what's going on with either body right now. It's not as if I'm going to come running in here all of a sudden.”

Instead of commenting Devin took a moment to breath and simply looked into Rita's eyes. They looked back at him and her grip relaxed on his hand. “What about Rita?”

Susan, “Oh I sucked her out of this body a while ago. I began working on it shortly after I slipped her into my top. I lost a little bit of her in the process but I really needed an extra on hand. There was no way I could eat this body once I seen it. You have to be there and with me whenever that happens to see all of this become part of me.” As she spoke Rita took a step back and leaned forward while bringing her hands up to press against the front of each breast. Her right leg extended to her side and she pushed her but out as she looked at Devin.

Given that Devin had been witnessing the seemingly impossible most of the day he was more primed to believe what Rita or Susan was telling him then he would have been otherwise. Given the woman's behavior he was finding it very hard to believe she wasn't Susan. He had to ask something now. “What are you going to do Susan?”

Rita, “I'm going to eat dinner with you naturally. Then I'm going to make sure you have a nice relaxing bath and maybe I'll get to join in. Throughout it all I'm going to try to convince you to stay here where my main body can find you in the morning and then you can truly be with me.”

Devin, “What if I want to leave? What if I want to run and hide? Are you going to follow me around and give my location away?”

Rita, “Devin you're being mean!” As she spoke Susan couldn't help but pout as she looked at Devin. She didn't make any moves towards him for fear that he would run but she really wanted a hug. “I told you this wasn't a trap whenever I set the plate down. When have I ever lied to you?”

Devin, “I. I'm sorry. At least I know that I have an option then. Susan can I ask you some questions about well all of this?”

Rita, “Sure!”

Devin, “How are you doing this? This shouldn't be possible.”

Rita, “I know! I mean think of all the complications that go into creating a shrunken body that can function with the intelligence of a full sized body. Just the fluid systems would be something think of the influence that this has on the Reynolds number of your wind pipes and blood vessels alone. The difference between the turbulent flow and laminar flow must be staggering.”

Devin, “Susan you're not answering the question.”

Rita, “Ah whoops. Sorry it's just hard to think with that strawberry tart near by. Magic.”

Despite what he had expected Devin couldn't help but give a sigh at Susan's response. She had to know that he wanted to know more then that but it needed to wait. “Hold on. I'm talking about the wrong thing entirely. Susan you need to stop this. What you're doing is murder. You know. You know that I can't be with a murderer!”

Rita, “Devin didn't you say that you know what kind of person I am and that you loved me? Do you know what kind of people you've been keeping away from my tummy? I'm sure you've seen hints of their true nature since you began helping them. Random acts of violence, little if any concern for the well being of the others and I'd be willing to wager they've been thinking of taking you hostage.”

As Devin listened to Susan he felt his heart growing lighter. He had wanted to speak to Susan for what felt like an eternity now and learn why she was doing this. The thought that somehow these people might have deserved such a fate even if unconfirmed was a relief. “Then tell me about them Susan. Tell me what these people have done to deserve such a painful death.” Despite his relief Devin was careful to keep a strict tone. It felt odd knowing that in truth he was smaller then Susan's thumb but he had to let her know that he was serious.

Rita, “Going through them one at a time would take all night. Oh that's a good idea then! That way you'll still be here whenever I wake up in the morning if a little sleepy. Okay we'll start with Rita here I believe since I already have her body unless you want to tell me the name of some of the ones you've been with.”

It was hard not to comment on Rita's open declaration of keeping him there through the night. This wasn't the time to argue such things so Devin kept quiet despite those desires. For a moment he had to resist chuckle as he watched Susan feeling up the strawberry tart apparently searching for the softest section she could find even while waiting for an answer. “Rita is fine.”

For a moment Susan didn't respond but continued to explore her treat. Finding a nice section she busied herself working her fingers into the pastry. “Well I can't say that Rita did any acts of direct violence to others but what she did do was manipulate others and steal. What Rita was fond of doing was working her way into someone's life using her looks and charisma. You might not have known it if you'd spoken to her but she's very good at saying what people want to hear. Once she got close to someone she liked to clean them out and I mean she went after everything. At first it was just sweet lies to get what she wanted but once they began to reach their limit or become resistant that's when she got aggressive. Imagine waking up to find out your bank account had been cleaned out and several valuable pieces of furniture were missing. On top of that you start receiving all sorts of bills that you don't remember.”

Devin, “She doesn't sound like a very good person but.” Devin didn't get to finish as Susan spoke up.

Rita, “Whoops! I forgot that a general description doesn't tend to do it for you. Okay let's go into the case of Patrick Hinson. I guess I'll need to give you a little background on him as well but well my knowledge there is a bit more limited and oh this is going to take a while.”

Devin, “Hold on Susan. Identity theft and theft in general is that what you would say Rita is responsible for?”

Rita, “Of course not. This wasn't just a simple act of breaking into someone's home. What she did destroyed trust, families and lives in general. Things tended to get even worse whenever someone tried to go after her.”

Devin, “So that meant she deserved to die?”

Rita, “Naturally. She was a destructive parasite that went from one person to the next affecting them and bleeding as much from them as she possibly could with no concern as to whether they lived or died. She was worse then a tick. At least a tick doesn't pretend to be your friend or love you. This doesn't seem to be driving home however if you'd just let me tell you what she did to Mr. Hinson.”

Devin, “I don't believe we have time for that.” A sigh escaped Devin as he once again remembered what Susan had said. Deaths that he would be able to accept. “How about your first victim?”

Rita, “Sherwood? Oh that's easy. He was an abuser and a dead beat in general. He destroyed his own credit then made his. I don't even know what you would call her. They weren't married but he lived with her but he sure didn't treat her like a girlfriend. His victim I suppose. Then he had hear destroy her own to pay for his habits. When she tried to resist he beat her. Honestly I was a bit annoyed with Hellene but my decision to take Sherwood was based on the fact that he was an abusive, violent, self centered jerk.”

Devin, “At least that's a bit more strait forward then what happened with Rita.” Even as Devin spoke he knew that he was only getting the bare bones of the story. He only had so much time before Susan woke up however to make his decision.

Rita, “Got it! Here you go.” As she spoke Susan finished spreading some filling on the bit of pastry she's torn away. Taking a moment to rip that in half she offered the roughly half loaf sized bit of pastry to Devin while keeping the other half for herself. “You should eat while we're talking. People think better whenever they're full after all.”

To this Devin gave a nod and took the offered bit of pastry. “This seems like an awful lot of sugar but thank you. Susan unless there is something I'm missing and I may be from what you told me Rita wasn't a good person and deserved to pay for what she'd done. However, I don't believe she deserved to die for it.”

A slight giggle escaped Rita as she looked at Devin. “I know that silly. You probably don't believe those who did something similar deserved to be tortured inside of my nice warm firm belly either. We had that conversation long before me shrinking you and them after all. I chose them because I believed removing them was a good thing not because you believed it was. The question that I considered in regards to you when choosing them was this. Can you still be with me and love me knowing that I've murdered such people?”

Now Devin went silent as he felt his legs loosing their strength. He wasn't surprised by Susan's response they had always had slightly different views on right and wrong. What people deserved and who had the right to deliver such punishments. He already knew the type of people that Susan would kill if she had the power and apparently now she had the power to do so. “I never believed that I would actually have to deal with this situation when we were talking you know? It was just a sort of a what if game and I really didn't consider anything beyond it.”

Rita, “Devin you know I've always tried to be honest with you.” For a moment Susan went silent as she watched Devin. She was certain that he would choose to remain with her to still love her. She had been certain of that during the entire hunt. Even if he rejected her now she was confident that he would warm up to her given some time and incentives. Even now she was certain of that but part of her was worried and it made her chest hurt. She didn't want him to have to warm up to her again she wanted him to be with her now. “Do you need to hear more Devin?”

Devin, “Susan I'm not sure how many were like her but I'm sure some of these people are better then Rita if only a little and from what you told me of Sherwood I know they're many who are far worse. I can't just let you torture and murder them for such offenses. I guess that doesn't surprise you. That's not what you really want to know.” A sigh escaped Devin as he took a bite of the pastry piece he'd been holding. He was still having trouble resolving how he felt about Susan right now. “Susan if I said that I couldn't forgive you for what you've done would you grow me back and let me leave.”

Rita, “No.”

A slight chuckle escaped Devin despite Susan's answer. “I can't say that I expected any different. It's kind of strange but I'm not angry about that. Susan I don't know what punishment you deserve for murdering such people. I'm not even sure what they actually deserved in this situation. Being forced to pay back what they stolen even if took the rest of their life seems fitting and here's where you would ask me how do you pay back trust and make amends of fracturing a family if I stopped talking.”

Rita, “You're wrong Devin. I never said I wanted to know what punishment you believe I deserve. I want to know if you can still love and be with me knowing what I've done and what I will continue doing.” As she spoke Susan couldn't help but wish that her body was more like her sleeping form. This wasn't the type of conversation she wanted to have in Rita's body.

It was strange but Devin felt his body shiver a bit. His mouth opened while his head was still in a fog. “I will always love you and want to be with you.”

A soft sigh escaped Susan. Despite being in Rita's body that was a wonderful answer. “Thank you Devin. I know that before morning comes you're going to wonder off and continue trying to help the others escape. That's okay. I can't say that I'll accept a punishment if you decide that I need one but I will talk to you about it at the very least.”

Devin, “I guess trying to punish you would be rather hollow. I don't believe I'd feel that way if I was one of the people inside your stomach on the other hand. I'm sure they'd like you to feel every ounce of pain they felt.”

There wasn't an immediate response as Susan had taken a rather big bite of her pastry. Now feeling assured of Devin's love for her the pastry was looking more important given that she had the information she most desired. When she looked up at him Susan couldn't help but grin as she noted the rather annoyed look he was giving her while she focused on chewing her food. Clearly he was waiting for an answer which only prompted her to take another large bite of pastry whenever she finished chewing the first.

It was impossible for Devin not to grin yet feel frustrated. He was feeling frustrated with a woman who was over two hundred times his height and he didn't want to think of the mass difference. It was almost enough to make him chuckle as he looked towards Susan's room and pet down the bit of pastry he had while walking over the blackberry. “So if I was to tell you that what you're doing is unethical and you need to change from such paths what would you do?”

Rita, “Well first I would to need to know if we're going to debate ethics from a subjective view point such that they are rules man has put into place or if we're talking to talk about ethics from an absolute view point such as if they're certain and unchanging. Depending on which one of those paths we're going to be debating I would either need to discuss ethics as agreed upon by the majority, forced upon others by those in power, the most accepted throughout history and the influence of culture or we would need to discuss what power put those ethics into place, whose greater power is actually correct, what gave this greater power the right to set those rules for us, if we've truly discovered this greater powers ethics or if our understanding is incomplete and how we can be certain we truly understand what said power wants us to do. Oh and by greater power I don't mean a god precisely either. I have to admit though I prefer the concept of karma such that there is a build up of the good and bad we do and whichever we have the larger reserve of is the way things go. You already knew that of course.”

Even while he shook his head Devin was grinning. They had the ethics talk before particularly whenever settling down and watching anything to do with law enforcement or ancient legal systems. “Okay I'm not going to win any argument over ethics with you tonight. At least not in time to save anyone.” Before continuing Devin took a moment to break off a bit of blackberry covering himself in juice at the same time. A slight yelp escaped him and he retreated from the fruit while looking at the liquid. “Susan what if I put myself through the pain that the others have endured to the best of my ability? Would you stop if I told you that I'd kill myself if you didn't?”

Immediately Susan perked up suddenly feeling rather alarmed. She did not like the path Devin was going with this. “Devin you can't kill yourself just like the others can't. If you were to try your body would stop cooperating. Do you really feel strongly enough about me eating these people to do that to yourself?”

Devin, “I promised I would help them escape from you Susan. I don't agree with what you're doing so I can't take this matter lightly. I have to do what's within my power to stop you. You said I can't kill myself but you didn't say I couldn't injure myself and I've seen that we can injure one another.”

Rita, “Devin you don't have to go that far to say you've done your best.” Despite the situation Susan was made to smile and took several steps towards Devin. The thought that she had spent all this time with but hadn't touched him except to help him climb onto the plate was rather vexing to her. “So how about we compromise a little? If you promise me that you won't injure yourself especially intentionally then come next weekend we can do something really nice for people. After all. Didn't you always say that restoration is more important then vengeance?”

Nodding slightly Devin watched as Susan came within three arm's lengths of him. “That's true but what do you have in mind?”

Rita, “Oh they're a lot of possibilities. You're upset that I've taken fifty lives or well am in the process of taking them and absorbing them into myself causing many of them to suffer even more then necessary for my own pleasure. So how about we balance things out and we find fifty lives that are worth saving and keeping from suffering? After all if I can do all of this you can imagine what else I can do. Before that however how about I let you read my files about these people? You haven't even began to hear their stories after all. That might change your mind or at least give you a better idea of how naughty I've been. You believe that they're mitigating circumstances in such matters after all. You should know those before making a judgment.”

Devin, “Susan do you really believe this is some game where you can undo an atrocity by helping someone else?”

Before speaking Susan took another step towards Devin bringing herself within two arms length of him. The distance between him and her that her chest took up actually forced her to giggle when she noticed it. “Devin that's not what I'm talking about. This is what I'm offering provided you promise not to harm yourself. By hurting yourself you hope to punish me after all but wouldn't it be better if instead of punishing me you helped others? After all. Did you once say that the well being of the just is more important then the punishment of the wicked?”

A long sigh escaped Devin as he looked at Susan. She was so close now. The body wasn't hers and neither was the voice but the way she stood and the way she spoke that was Susan alright. “That does sound good but I'm not talking about punishing you. I'm talking about helping those that are still alive.”

Rita, “You'd go through so much whenever you know so little about them?”

Devin, “It's better then waiting until later when I can only think how I might have helped them. I can't just let you continue like this.”

Rita, “Devin would you mind touching my breast!”

While he had been thrown off balance before Devin felt like he was flat on his face now as he recoiled from Susan while at the same time his right arm started to lift upwards. He actually found himself using his left to restrain it before it could comply with her request. “Susan this isn't the time for that!” Despite the situation Devin had to fight back laughter upon hearing Susan giggling.

Rita, “I couldn't help it! We've been serious this entire time but I want to feel what it's like to have my beloved message my breast. We've spent all this time talking about your ethics and we haven't even taken a moment to talk about sex.”

Devin, “Susan.”

A few more excited giggles escaped Susan as she looked at Devin. The mood had changed again. She liked it better this way. As she spoke she once again leaned forward bringing her face closer to Devin while staring into his eyes to see how much attention her cleavage got. “Devin my promise to let you read through my files and determine a balancing act of kindness for the cruelty I perform is on the condition that you don't harm yourself or have yourself harmed. I'm not asking you not to aid them but you aren't allowed to harm yourself.”

Devin, “Then what will happen if I do?”

Now Susan took another step forward and took hold of Devin's hand the one that had reached for her chest. “It would hurt me. Please don't hurt yourself Devin. I don't mind if you defy me or yell at me but don't do that. Please. I want to love you and take care of you. I want you to explore and love me. Are you really willing to hurt me for the sake of such people?”

The voice was different but the tone and words were Susan's. The hand was different but the way it squeezed his hand was Susan's as well. He even recognized the slight pout she was giving him. “Blast it Susan. I. I. Damn it! No. Ouch!” Devin couldn't help but yelp as quick thump was delivered to his forehead.

Susan, “Devin! No cussing.”

The look on Rita's face was still recognizable as Susan's as Devin recalled several such thumps. It actually made him feel warm. “Susan there is something else I have to say. You mentioned you had files I'd like to be allowed to read through the people who are still alive. Then if I can't agree with your decision to kill that person the very least you can do is offer them some medication whenever they're found. I know you had some conversation about being a bully and said something along the lines of not wanting to make them suffer but rather enjoying their struggles but that is still bullying. If you can't agree to spare those people then you can at least make sure they don't suffer.”

For a moment Rita said nothing but smiled up at Devin. “Devin I really don't want you to feel guilty about any of this or to be left wondering if you could have done more. I love you and this isn't just about how you feel about me.” A slight giggle escaped Susan causing her to let go of Devin's hand and cover her mouth. “Plus I'd really like to put an end to the ethics debate. So how about this. You eat your dinner, take your bath and use your potty and while you're doing that I'll tell you everything about the survivors. It's faster then you reading the files after all I memorized them. Then oh.” For a moment Susan bit down on her lower lip.

Devin, “Susan? What is it?”

Rita, “I really don't want to say this but.” A sigh escaped Susan followed by a deep breath. “If you don't believe the person deserves to suffer I'll give them enough medication to insure they don't feel a thing or even know what's happening. On top of that if you find anyone that you believe I should be executed for murdering I'll let you decide on a punishment for me.. Provided you're willing to do something for me.”

This wasn't what Devin had been expecting. The woman standing before him was his same height as far as he could tell but the true Susan was a massive mountain compared to him. He had resigned himself to the fact that he couldn't stop Susan from trying to do as she wanted and still held that as a truth. For her to suddenly grant him such authority he wasn't certain what to think. “Why would you do that?”

Rita, “Because I love you silly! I want you to be a part of this and besides. In the future I intend to have you help me pick my meals.”

That feeling of being hit with a bat was becoming rather common at this point. “What! Susan you expect me to pick people for you to eat? You're going to keep doing this?”

Susan, “Naturally! It's not like I will reach my peek from these fifty people alone and there is even more to it then that. Besides I really want you to do more then help me choose who I'm going to eat. Now about what I want in return for this. You can continue to helping those others try to escape if you want to. However, in the morning when I find you. You promise to play along in any game that I want to play. Then from that point on you have to help me select my meals. Naturally we'll have to come up with a process that keeps you from not picking anyone but I'm sure we can work that out.”

Devin, “I see but if you're willing to let me decide on your punishment why can't you just restore them if I.” For a moment Devin went silent as he considered what Susan had told him. In truth he didn't even want to talk about her being executed despite what happened. “If I you know.”

Rita, “If you believe I should be executed for it? It's because I don't have any knowledge of how to erase memories and I don't trust them not to seek revenge. I am actually rather confident they'd try and I won't risk that.”

A sigh escaped Devin as he forgot about his food and stepped forward. Immediately the difference between this woman and Susan was clear as he felt her breast press against him. They were made to press against him more firmly as Susan stepped into his embrace and put her arms around him. He responded in the same pulling Susan more closely against himself and leaning forward. “It feels like I've been waiting forever to speak with you. Are you still holding onto that pastry?” The giggle that met Devin's ear told him all he needed to know about the pastry.

Rita, “Well it's your fault you've been avoiding me all evening. Okay now no more trying to convince me to stop or calling me a bully. Let's get started. I think I'll shorten how long this takes by starting with the worse examples and save the less certain ones for last.”

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Devin took in a deep breath as he looked at Rita. While he had been told to enjoy his dinner he needed to set down now. The words still stung in his ears. Gretchen had been involved in armed robbery, assault and apparently murder. “Hold a moment Susan. Was Gretchen ever convicted of any of this?”

Rita, “Huh? Why did you stop me at Gretchen? Oh. I bet she's one of the ones you've been traveling with. She was convicted and confined for the armed robbery and assault charges but was only suspect in the murder cases. I only know about the murder because well I have tools at my disposal that the police don't actually have. Would you like to know the conditions of the murders or at least a few of them? I can pick the ones most likely to turn you against her if you'd like.”

Devin, “Damn it. I knew something was wrong whenever she decked someone for not going ahead of her. She didn't give a damn whenever you found them either. It's just that. She was the first one to greet me when I opened the cage.”

Rita, “Devin how often did she let you out of arms reach whenever I began speaking to you?”

Devin, “I don't know. She kept pretty close though and seemed annoyed whenever I talked about going ahead.”

Rita, “You were a shield to her and a guide. If I had found your group she probably would have taken hold you and threatened to break your neck if I didn't restore her. Then again she might have tried to snap it without making any demands just to hurt me. I can't be certain which she would have done but if she was nice to you I know it was only because she was using you.”

Devin, “What about Rusty?”

Rita, “Oh him. Keep eating your dinner.” Instead of continuing Susan chose to wait until Devin had another mouth full before continuing. “Good you ask questions when your mouth is empty and that's wasting time we could spend cuddling.” It was impossible for Susan to keep from giggling whenever Devin's expression suddenly shifted.”Well first of all Rusty isn't his actual name if you're wondering. He actually served time for extortion of course assault as well as it's hard to have extortion without assault and battery. It's kind of funny. The magic I use to reduce people to this tiny size actually leaves behind markings like tattoos.” A slight giggle escaped Susan as she looked at Devin. “It's like gangs mark themselves with food labels once I learn to read them.”

Devin, “What did Rusty's tell you?”

Rita, “That he had killed for the gang, served prison time and several other things. I've actually began to wonder if I could use such markings while out shopping for my next meal but unfortunately it's not as simple as just grabbing someone off the street.”

Devin, “You'll have to tell me that later please continue.” Even as the words left his lips Devin could hardly believe he was saying it. He wanted to know how Susan had done this so badly it was almost painful. He actually felt his mouth going dry at the thought and found himself retreating to the glass of water for a drink.

Rita, “You should drink some of the juice to.”

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Devin, “So from what you've told me Melody was a con artist and a thief in general?”

Susan, “Yep! She even tried using a false name in her dealings with me. Fortunately those tricks don't work when making deals with me. The expression on her face whenever I showed up to collect her was one of utter disbelief. She really was good at making of with other people's money.”

Devin, “I want you to give Melody some medication?”

Susan, “What! Devin she made of with with an eighty year old man's life savings.”

Devin, “I'm not saying what she did wasn't wrong Susan but she doesn't deserve what you're going to put her through. Besides I believe we had a conversation like this while playing warlocks and dungeons.” Devin was actually surprised when he noticed Rita's face nearly split in two from the smile that formed on it.

Rita, “That was a fun game! You were so upset whenever I chose to play a shadow mistress. Okay I said that you could choose who would be medicated so I won't give you a hard time about it.”

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There was a massive grin across Rita's face as she looked at Devin. He was apparently taking his time to process everything she'd told him about the survivors. She was a bit annoyed that Devin had chosen so many to be medicated and felt certain he was being overly benevolent due to the situation but she had made it his choice. “You look happy Devin.”

A slight chuckle escaped Devin as he looked at Rita knowing it was Susan in there. “Does it bother you that Rita's body can't move like your old one? Sure she's a lot more curvy then your old body but I doubt she's anywhere near as toned.”

A sigh escaped Susan causing her to turn away but only slightly. She could still see Devin out the corner of her eye. “Actually they're some issues that I wasn't quite prepared for. I would hate to have to try to fight in this body with how poorly toned the muscles are and I'm not sure if I could maintain my balance. That's going to be something else no matter what though. When I absorb people I do take in their muscle memory as well but well. My body isn't any one person's body so no one's muscle memory is truly suitable for it. I'm going to fall on my bottom a lot.”

Devin, “That should be fun to watch. Susan I don't know what to say about running from you like this. I'd actually prepared myself to continue with the escape attempt but after speaking with you. I can't agree with your notion that everyone of these people deserves to die for what they've done. They should have to make restorations yes but I don't think death is the answer in all of their cases. At least I don't believe is in five of their cases of those that remain.”

Rita, “I still think you're too caught up in the desire to insure someone isn't given harsher treatment then they deserve. That's alright though having you to play with in the morning should still make it plenty of fun. So are you going to hide from me before the morning comes?”

Devin, “Yep! You may be right about me as well but that's what I believe. Even with that said I believe that I've done you wrong as well. I should have put more trust in you Susan rather then listening to strangers. I mean I'm running away from the woman who loves me in order to help people I know nothing about even after seeing how they treated one another. I'm an idiot.”

Rita, “No you're not. You just wanted your errors to be on the side of caution. Besides I already said I forgive you so I clearly understand.” A slight giggle escaped Rita as she looked towards the roof. “Besides it has been a lot of fun. It'll be even more fun having you to play with in the morning. Why won't you wait here for me when my main body wakes up?”

Devin, “Well I've spent this much time hiding from you. I might as well finish the game and besides. It's kind of fun sneaking around.”

Rita, “Oh you naughty pervert you!” A slight giggle escaped Rita's body as she picked up a bit of strawberry. “Devin you don't believe that those five should die but you don't believe I should be executed for killing them. Where would that put them?”

A sigh escaped Devin. Eating at such a reduced size had been quite an interesting event. He was covered in juice from the various fruits and could feel it drying on him. He would need to take a bath soon. The fact that it had taken Susan the span of his meal to explain all the cases well enough to satisfy him was surprising and amusing. “I don't know. I guess to me it's sort of like. Ah I don't believe they deserve to die but part of me thinks they brought this upon themselves and given their past behavior I really can't gather any sympathy for them.”

Rita, “Then why do I have to medicate them!”

Devin, “Now now. Just because I don't feel any sympathy for them doesn't mean I want them to suffer. Hey Susan I was going to ask you about your magic and I still want to know. I'd also like to know what you intend for me but well. What would you like to do?”

Rita, “Yay! That means we get to put the boring stuff on hold for now. Oh I know! I haven't gotten to eat much of the strawberry tart at all. So how about I go over there and eat until I fell content and you think of something fun to do to pass the time?”

It was impossible for Devin to keep from chuckling as he gave a slight nod. This was his Susan alright. “Hey Susan how about we give your main body a surprise in the morning?”

Rita, “Huh? What do you mean?”

Devin, “Well instead of me leaving and you waiting around for her why don't you come with me and help hide? After all. No one knows you or what areas you're likely to search next as well as yourself. Think how your other body would respond if she woke up and found out that Rita's body had ran off with me.”

Rita, “That sounds like fun! We'll need to make sure that I know what we agreed upon with the five. How about I take some time to enjoy this pastry and you work on leaving a message for me when I wake up? You can use some of the filling to spell out a message in the center of the plate.”

Devin, “You're just not going to give up on that pastry are you?”

Rita, “Absolutely not! I was looking forward to it when I got home but thanks to you opening the cage and breaking into my office I had to fill up on little people. Now it's several hours past purchase and I want to enjoy it before it becomes less fresh then it already has.”

Instead of commenting Devin rolled his eyes and began to look around. Susan was right about the center of the plate being large enough to leave a message. At least he could leave a very simple one. People to be strongly mediated before eaten then the names seemed like a good way to go.

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As Devin looked down at his writing he couldn't help but think how awful it looked. It could be read so Susan wouldn't have an excuse for ignoring it but it was far from perfect. This was his first time spelling out letters that were larger then himself so that was to be expected. What did surprise him was the realization that Susan would probably be annoyed that he had used so much of the pastry filling to spell out the letters. “Okay Susan I'm done with the letters. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned me using up so much of your treat.”

Rita, “Devin! Devin get over here right now!”