The two children were giggling. "That's showing 'em, Blackwave girl!" Ted cried naughtily. "Black is the color of my true love's-"

The girl jammed a hand over his mouth before he could say a naughty word. "Wait till we get older, and I'll be able to do that," Monica said, seeming slightly jealous.

"And I'll be able to freak out," Ted agreed.

Breanna did a forward roll into the nest. That took her panties out of sight. The two men returned to life. Justin stepped back, as if catching his balance. Edsel sat down on the ground. Both looked dazed. Their eyes did seem to be somewhat hot.

"You boys okay?" Pia called.

"I guess," Edsel said. "What happened?"

"You freaked out."

"Freaked out? I don't remember anything."

Both children chortled.

Then Justin caught on. "Someone must have exposed her underclothing."

"Not me," Pia said innocently. "Go on about your business." She turned back to the interior of the nest.

"For the canopy, just pull the cord," Breanna said. She reached up, caught a dangling vine, and pulled. A neat canopy of living branches and leaves descended, making contact with the rim. This was now a shrouded round chamber. "Good when it rains, too."

"I believe this nest will do," Pia said. "Are there any sheets or blankets?"

"You harvest them fresh from a blanket bush. I'll show you." Breanna scrambled back up the slope toward the ladder.

"How is it that men are freaked out by panties, when it doesn't happen in Mundania?" Pia asked as she followed.

"It's part of the magic. There are lots of routine magical effects. You get used to them."

"What happens if a man sees a woman naked?"

"Nothing special. Oh. he's interested, for sure, but he doesn't freak out. I mean, nymphs go naked all the time, and n.o.body thinks anything of it. It's just certain items of clothing that make the difference."

They climbed down the ladder and touched ground "Is this logical?" Pia inquired.

"What's logic got to do with s.e.x or magic?"

That answered itself.

"I don't believe you expressed a preference," Justin said as they pa.s.sed him "Will the two of you be sharing a nest."

What the bleep "Might as well," she said. Then realized that her bad word had been censored out, even in her thoughts. Because she was in the presence of someone below the correct age. Magic was everywhere.

They came to the blanket bush, where they harvested two nice blankets.

There was a swirl oft smoke It formed into a handsome male figure "A greeting, lovely ladies," he said, bowing gallantly.

"Oh, hi, Vore," Breanna said. Then, to Pia "This is D Vore, Monica's father. He must be here to pick up the children."

"Indeed Metria brought them, I will return them. We are obliged to be somewhat responsible, now that we are half souled." He looked at Pia "Have I made your acquaintance, luscious creature?"

"She's Pia Mundane," Breanna said "I mean Putz Does Nada know you're flirting with visitors?"

"I'm not flirting," Vore said quickly "I'm eating."

"Eating?" Pia asked.

"Devouring her with my eyes," he explained.

That was a pun, Pia realized D Vore-devour "The children are fine." she said "They're around here somewhere "

"They have a magic locket," Breanna added.

"I will investigate " He vanished.

"Those children really weren't much trouble," Pia said.

"We were lucky, this time. Things could've complicated in a hurry."

They dumped the blankets in two nests. Meanwhile Vore had taken away the children, and Justin and Edsel had harvested four pies from a pie tree. They sat down on large toadstools by a gla.s.sy table.

"Don't tell me, let me guess," Pia said, observing the way the table shimmered "It's a water table "

"Of course," Breanna agreed "And here's some milk" She set down several milkweed pods.

Sure enough the pies were good, and the pods contained fresh milk.

Breanna had chocolate milk "I wouldn't want my color to fade," she explained.

That reminded Pia of something awkward. "I gather there isn't racism in Xanth."

"Not as such. But there is prejudice. For example n.o.body much wants to a.s.sociate with zombies."

"I should think not," Pia agreed.

"But they should, Zombies are people too, and they serve Xanth well. If you're ever in trouble, and you see a zombie, ask it for help. They're kind hearted. Their hearts are rotten, of course, but soft."

Pia wasn't certain whether the girl was joking, so she played it low key "Rotten but kind," she agreed.

"Justin and I will be taking over Castle Zombie, when the Zombie Master retires," Breanna said "Justin's going to be great "

"Breanna is already great," Justin said gallantly.

"You don't know the half of it" Breanna murmured.

He looked at her "I don't understand."

"You will. We're sharing a nest and a blanket tonight."

"We are? I'm not sure that's appropriate, considering your-"

"My age? Would you want me to huddle all by myself alone in the great wilderness of Xanth?"

"Of course not But-"

"Good. So finish eating, and we'll turn in."

Justin looked nervous "I suppose if we sleep on opposite sides of the nest."

Pia kept her mouth shut. It was fun observing the interaction. Justin seemed like a very nice man, but Breanna was right he had archaic notions.

They finished their meal as dusk closed. Then they went to their nests "You know, poor Justin really likes that girl," Edsel said as they settled down. "He told me that it's all he can do to keep his hands off her. But she's too young, so he stays clear."

"Sixteen is old enough."

"I know that. You know that. But he doesn't know that. He thinks a girl's not a woman until she's eighteen."

"It's the Adult Conspiracy. But I don't think it's quite right. I told her how to try to bend it."

"Bend it?"

"As in the distinction between necking and petting. I'm betting that petting's allowed at her age."

"Maybe so. Speaking of which, how about-"

"Forget it. We're estranged."

"Not until we finish in Xanth and you don't change your mind. Anyway, we have always fought, but gotten along great at night."

He had a point. Still, she wasn't sure. "Sorry I don't feel like it."

He lay back, disappointed Edsel had his faults, but he was a gentle man about s.e.x. There was silence.

Then Justin's amazed voice carried across the nests "Breanna! What are you doing?"

"Just holding hands, dear "

"Breanna!" He sounded shocked "You-"

"Shut up and kiss me, handsome. Or shall I hold both your hands, like this?" After that the sounds m.u.f.fled out.

Pia turned toward Edsel "Now I feel like it."

He moved over immediately "Exactly what did you tell her?" he whispered.

"Just how to hold hands."

"That's all?"

"Like this." She demonstrated with his hand.

"He's done for," he agreed appreciatively "This is just like the old days."

"For sure," she agreed, imitating Breanna "But remember, we're still officially estranged."

"Tomorrow," he agreed.

Chapter 3: MUNDANIA.

Chlorine was nervous about this particular adventure, because it was the first one where Nimby-the Demon X(A/N)th-would not have his immense power of magic. But he wanted to explore Mundania, and this was the only feasible way. Because each Demon was jealous of its territory and prerogatives, and had virtually absolute power within its domain. The intrusion of any other Demon would not be welcome. So Xanth was sneaking in to look around, and if E(A/R)th caught on there would be awful mischief. Chlorine had begged Nimby not to do it, but he had insisted, so now she would do her utmost to facilitate the visit and keep them both safe. Because she owed everything to Nimby, and his will was ultimately her will.

They walked to the exit door, and paused "See you here tomorrow for check-in!" Breanna called cheerily.

"Got it," the Mundane woman Kim called back. Then they turned forward, and walked down the hall to the O-Xone Interface exit. They pa.s.sed though that-and Chlorine found herself sitting on a chair, with her hands on a funny kind of board with a number of marked little squares staring at a screen resembling Com Pewter's. Her hands looked wrong, until she reminded herself that she was no longer in her own body. She was now a Mundane, among Mundanes. She hoped she survived the experience.

Words appeared on it. "Pia-stay where you are. Dug and I will be there soon. Kim."

But Pia was in Xanth. Then Chlorine reoriented. Of course-she was in Pia's body now, and was to be called Pia, to protect her real ident.i.ty. And Nimby would be called Edsel. Because the Demon E(A/R)th surely kept an eye on the Great Global Grid, and would soon know if Nimby and Chlorine appeared on it. They were here anonymously.

But Nimby was in another room, and she had to be sure he was all right. She got up and found her way out the open door to the adjacent chamber. There was Edsel, sitting somewhat blankly before his own screen. "Nimby." she murmured. "It's Chlorine."

He turned to look at her, nodding. He almost never spoke to others. He could speak, and elegantly, but this required him to focus on minutia, and he preferred not to bother. That was why she had to speak a lot, for both of them. But that was all right; it made her feel important.

"Nimby, remember, we have to be anonymous, here in Mundania. So we must answer to the bodies we are in. You are Edsel, and I am Pia. Our Companions arrived in another house, and will join us soon. All right?"

He nodded. She found it half a smidgen weird to be calling this stranger Nimby, but no weirder that it had been to see him change from dragon to manform the first time.

She sat in his lap and kissed him. "I love you, Nimby. But from now on I will call you Ed or Edsel. Until we are back m Xanth. And I won't mention Xanth, because that might give us away. We are Ed and Pia outside, but inside we are ourselves." He knew all this, of course, but it helped her to express it, making sure there was no misunderstanding.

They looked around the room, noting the distinctly Mundane look of it. Then they explored the house. There was a staircase leading to a second floor, with two rooms with beds, and one small room with odd ceramic or metallic objects that roughly resembled basins or a chair.

There was a muted rumble outside, and a funny box on wheels rolled up. They saw it out a window. Then doors in it opened, and Dug and Kim got out on opposite sides. Oh.

In a moment and a half, Dug and Kim were with them. "Okay," Kim said. "You are Nimby and Chlorine, right?"

"Yes," Chlorine said. "But we will answer to Edsel and Pia."

"Yes. of course." Kim paused, as if organizing her thoughts. "There are some things we need to get straight at the outset, so we don't get into mischief. For example, both of you can speak and understand our language, right?"

"Yes."