"—She's gonna smite us. She's going to obliterate our asses," hissed the first voice in a panicked whisper, echoing somewhere in the mists.
"Oh, calm down," said the second voice, silky and smug. "We're not interfering. We're... investigating. Enlightened inquiry is divine tradition."
"We're soaked in prayers for him," moaned the third. "It's embarrassing.
The three voices bickered through clouds that shimmered like liquefied pearl. A gentle warmth kissed his skin. Somewhere, distant harps plucked in harmony with sensual sighs.
"We had no choice! The prayers wouldn't stop. Hundreds, thousands. Orgies, temples, love-shrines! All crying out the same name."
"Yes, yes. The Pleasure Prince. The world wants the Prince of Pleasure. And we didn't even know what a Pleasure Princewas until a few weeks ago."
"And now he's here. Sleeping. In our bed."
A silence followed.
Then, softly…
"...Did we steal from Mother?"
More silence.
"Shhh. He's waking up."
Pip stirred.
