"Sounds good. I'll work to convince him, then," Ilia assured him. No matter what Welch said, Ilia knew she could sweet talk any man who was receptive, and Charon was certainly open to a little flirting.

Ilia didn't hold the same notions that jewelry automatically indicated femininity but whatever kinds of bones they were made of did give her pause. Where had he gotten these things? "Well, maybe they're like the transportation rings. Have you heard of those, Seishin?"

Ilia knew her roommate had one to help her get back to the safety of the bedroom should her late night adventures go awry. They were rare commodities, though. It was possible Seishin didn't have a clue about them. Taking hers in hand, Ilia held it poised to slip on her wrist. "Ready?"