Lion Head Mesa I'll probably get soup. Or something light.

I'm fine, thanks, she replied. Her mouth curled more at his compliment, basic as it was. She didn't think she looked different than any other day, but hey, if he wanted to help bloat her ego, she would run with it. How about you?

He looked. . .well, like Charles. But there was a light in his eyes she hadn't seen before; it reminded her of the own flame within her, and she wondered if some sort of strange, satisfying sickness had fallen over the mesa.

The smile remained upon her slightly parted lips as she awaited his response.