"I am more adventurous than my sister. She is the conservative member of the family, especially sexually. In five years she has touched no one but you. When I encounter something really wild, I like to try it. The grape juice was wild." She kissed him. "I wonder what you will come up with next?"
"Warning: don't start me thinking. You need to catch up on your sleep, and we have a mission to do today."
"Glamors can get by without sleep when necessary. I got sleepy not because I needed sleep, but because of the boredom of the mental quest across thousands of dull minds. You helped abate that."
"Male fantasy. You let me believe that you are constantly eager for my touch."
"Agreement. But I read your mind. That made it novel, because I am not male."
Something about that phenomenal understatement got to him, and he started laughing uncontrollably.
"By your leave," she said, and kissed him and clasped him, taking him in. He was still laughing helplessly as he jetted into her, for the eleventh time.
"Now," she said, as they lay in ebbing embrace. "The sex will stop for a while, because I will assume the identity of the librarian Page and she will not know you well enough at first. I hope I have enabled you to tide through for a few hours."
"Hope," he agreed.
"Eat." A full breakfast appeared on the table. Had they eaten the night before? He didn't remember.
They ate. Weft fetched a jug of juice, then put it back unpoured. "No time," she said regretfully.
That threatened to set him off again, but he managed to get by with only a choke or two. What a girl!
When they were done, she took his hand, and they were suddenly in a Black Chroma zone, standing before a village library. "Wait here," she said. "The one who emerges next will be me in my impersonation, physical and mental. Page. A full imprint. She will not know she isn't real. Take her to Village Nondescript, across this zone, and set up in an inn, the two of you. Attend the memory quest in early afternoon, today, tomorrow, and the day after. Then escort her back here. Never refer to me; try not even to think of me. Stay out of her mind; it must be pristine in this respect, and the balance must not be disturbed. We do not know how carefully the machine agents watch."
He was alarmed. "She won't know?"
"The imprint won't. The original Page will remain here, unchanged. I will make her a deal to make it worth her while. She is good at keeping secrets."
"Understanding."
She entered the library. About half an hour later a different woman emerged. She was Black Chroma, short thin and plain, in her mid twenties, with a severe knot binding back her hair.
He stepped up. "Page? I was told to meet you here."
"Fifth? I was told you would escort me, no fault."
"We are introduced," he said, smiling. "Shall we go directly to Village Nondescript?"
"Agreed. Appreciation for enabling me to go there for this occasion."
"I appreciate having my curiosity about this project satisfied."
The took hands, and conjured themselves across the zone. Fifth liked being able to do full magic again; he had been long out of Chroma, reduced to nonChroma status. Yet when it came to a choice between his home Chroma and Flame, Flame banished all else.
They were at the edge of the village. They walked in and registered at the local inn as Fifth and Page. No further identification was needed; they were obviously traveling together no fault.
In their room, Page hesitated. "You know I am married, with three children."
"I am committed also. No fault does not mean travelers have to have sex. Just that we share accommodation and responsibilities."
"Actually, I will be looking for a fourth. That's why I agreed to travel at this time." She paused, evidently nerving herself. "I know I am not pretty."
He had misunderstood her hesitation. "I like them lean. But it will be your choice."
"Appreciation."
They had a token meal, and she washed and changed, preparing for the event to come. She was also showing him her body, in tacit invitation. She was indeed lean. He could make it with her, if she chose.
Then they went out to the memory project. There was a small group of people clustered there. "Greeting," the Black Chroma proprietor said. "Supe here, local collector for the memory archives."
"Page. I have come to compete for a prize."
"Regret: you should have come earlier. All our categories but one are filled."
"Secret sex."
He nodded. "That's the one. No one else seems interested." He gazed at her appraisingly. "Are you sure?"
"Privacy is maintained?"
"Affirmation. Only your companion will see it, for your protection."
"Understanding."
"If your memory is the best in its category—which seems likely, considering the absence of competition—you will receive a prize of significant physical enhancement, and may return tomorrow for another memory and prize."
"Understanding."
"This way." He led them into a marked circle.
A translucent wall rose up, shielding them from the other people. The others became vague forms, no details apparent. Presumably it shielded those inside the circle similarly. Supe and Fifth took seats at the edge of the circle, just inside the shield. Page stood in the center.
"Rehearse it in your mind," Supe said. "It will animate."
It did. There was a young Page, perhaps thirteen, avidly reading a book. The elderly proprietor came to the desk she sat at. "Closing time."
She looked up. "Please, Librarian Booker. This is so interesting. Can I take it home?"
"Negation. It is a valuable history that must remain in the library, lest it be damaged or lost. You can take another book, if you wish. We have a number pitched to your age."
"Children's books!" she said with disdain.
"Affirmation. You are a child."
Page paused, studying the man. He was old, perhaps seventy, a widower. The village provided for him because it valued the library and he took good care of it. As he was doing now. "How can I get to borrow this book tonight?"
He smiled benevolently. "You can return to read it here tomorrow. It is good that you like advanced reading."
"Serious."
"Page, it is not authorized. You can't take the book."
She stood up. "I am not wholly a child. I have breasts." She opened her shirt.
"Dismay!" he said, startled. "Cover yourself."
"I can keep a secret. Can you?"
"Confusion."
"I have seen boys with pretty girls. I am not pretty, but I can do what they do. I know you have no woman. Let me borrow the book. I promise to take excellent care of it, and return it tomorrow. Please." She removed her shirt entirely, and drew down her skirt.
Booker stared at her. "They would banish me."
"They will never know. I promise."
"You truly mean this? You understand it is a violation? An adult with a child?"
"No one will know." She glanced down at her small breasts and narrow hips. "I know I am not much, but it is all I have. Please." Booker shook his head. "I am old, and lonely. What am I really risking? But I do not wish to hurt you."
"Just do what you wish with me, and tell me how to help. And keep my secret."
"Agreement!"
He led her to the library's old couch. She lay on it, on her back, her legs spread. That was as far as she knew what to do.
He opened his trousers to reveal a standing member. "Are you sure?"
"Affirmation." Actually the size of it alarmed her, but she was determined to accomplish her commitment.
He got on her. "Do you mind if I kiss you first?"
"Welcome."
He brought his face down and kissed her on the mouth. It surely wasn't much of a kiss, but she thrilled to it, because it was truly a man/woman contact.
Then he put his member to her cleft and pushed it in. There was resistance, and he pushed harder; then there came sharp pain. She clenched her teeth, making no sound, forcing herself to breathe evenly.