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"Well, such a description could apply to my near future. One that I would recognize, one which evolved in a steady fashion out of something I know. A world which does not sound similar to anything I know, that can hardly be said to be my future. It is something I can only imagine, based on your words. Words, that have meaning for you, and reflect no real life I can envision. A world in which you are an active participant, but I am not. You can of course call it what you will, but "my future" is not something I will ever associate with it. It is too divorced from my reality and might as well be called 'your world' instead, for the lack of better terms.

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An update that is supposed to improve and doesn't? Well, that I can imagine, in principle at least. Some of the reforms the Parliament is trying to pass, are meant to improve the quality of sole lives, but to my mind only create?entire neighborhoods of?the Unfortunates. I suppose the members of either Palate are unaware what effects their laws have in actuality, and are trying to fix what is already working well, in my opinion. Although, at least this device is seemingly doing a lot of what it's supposed to, or else you would discard it entirely since you would have better options..." Realizing that He was trying to apply his common sense and logic to the world he himself had professed not to know, Henry trailed off?with some embarrassment. ?

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"Again, I am not sure what qualifies for a good girl in your world, but you certainly have not shown yourself to be an impeccable lady, based on our standards. You?have been?either deceiving your parents as all children do, or else, your standards of conduct are quite different from ours.." Henry retorted with a deliciously wicked smile. "Not that I minded, obviously, it is just a point of interest, that are the likelier to misread social cues than I am..." Hyde patiently explained.

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"Of course she wants to see the clothing...more closely," the good doctor nodded his understanding with a suggestive smile at the barmaid. "You should not hold her back, our Leticia has strong needs," Henry quipped, pleased with himself.

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"Oh not to worry," he happily reassured their new friend. "I took no offense, besides, I would consider you equally brave, with your...special needs,?you know. Not everybody can rise above the social demands, and openly admit to something that is even punishable by law. Oh no, Leticia dear, you are the brave one, and Rena perhaps, for her willingness to offer comfort through undressing, Ah yes, she can have a choice of rooms, I have expected more visitors over the years, before entertaining too many at a time became too taxing, Many guest rooms to choose from," Henry agreed, beginning to wonder how he would issue such bizarre orders to Poole and Mary.?

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"I angered people? I don't see how and you, my dear, seem the likelier between us to have done so. Not that I would object to your adventures too greatly either..." Henry Hyde countered with a wicked smile.

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"Isn't an update a good thing? Your world is passing strange, to use all the wrong terms..." Henry commented but got quickly distracted?by the?sudden hug. His heart disturbingly softening, his initial intention fading, he?changed his mind and simply concurred with Rena's conclusions.

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"Well, I do like to think of myself as a man of science and open to rational dialogue, not to mention, entertain?novel scientific theories. With that in mind, why should I get cross with you and toss you out? I...feel strongly for you as well," he admitted uncomfortably,?while glaring at Leticia. The little savage girl did not need to make mockery of him just then, if that was somehow on her savage mind, which he would not put past her.

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Relieved that?the barmaid?did not betray her mirth or mockery of his intentions, Hyde thoughtfully nodded. "Well, now, I don't know. I would personally consider it a good idea to catch up on my sleep. What did you have in mind? We can accost your assailant of course, but that might be better done with a fresh head. What think you?" Henry wondered, feeling more tired now, that he was forced to deal with the unexpected and the uncomfortable.

"Did you really? Perhaps you did," Henry stated placidly. "That day felt somehow hazy, so filled with events that I find it difficult to separate some fantastical ideas in my head from what really took place. I thought I was paying attention, but if I happen to be wrong, the fault lies entirely with you, being as charming as you are. Nonetheless, if you could remind me in which context your family learned of me, I am not sure I can recall that specific conversation.

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And when you can stop aging, by working with some beings, whatever the terms may be, you are no longer precisely human. Not according to the most commonly accepted definition," Hyde stated matter of factly. "It's not a criticism by any means, being human is probably not the height of evolution at any rate," he speculated, idly considering the enchanting green creatures he had dreamt of. "But humans, they are unlikely to be. So, you were doomed, on both sides, to avoid being human, I think. Perhaps, that is even part of your attraction to me," the good doctor pleasantly smiled.

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Distracted for a second? by looking at the screen of the bizarre bit of equipment, Henry carefully pointed at the writing in the settings submenu he had inadvertently stumbled upon. "But how does it know that you should be updating to this IOS 20 thing. How can it talk to you? Do humans talk to other beings in your world? Is it a common practice to do so? The man who made himself, that sound?almost poetic, and that happens to be me, well that is...ironic might be the word for it,?" Henry decided smugly.

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"And what do you mean, that's why somebody is messing with us? First of all, somebody is messing with you more directly. Secondly, why should our exceptional natures justify somebody messing with us, if anything, our differences should?preclude people from messing with us, unless they are...the authorities," Hyde concluded thoughtfully.?

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"Ah, your mother is aware of me, that is odd? I did not know we ran in similar circles? I suppose I should have remembered her then, but alas, I must plead ignorance. I suppose she is not as striking as you are? I want to say I would have seen a family resemblance to you, in anyone who introduced themselves to me, but that may honestly depend on how many features you share between you..."Henry spoke uncomfortably, the thrill of anticipation passing, replaced by a strange feeling of discomfort.

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"Making?your move, I see, I knew it would happen eventually, just assumed, it would take you more time to get bolder," Henry told Leti, with a cheerful?smile on his lips to lighten the mood. He thought she stood out among other barmaids, and may have some Lesbian tendencies but was not fully certain, until now.

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"So your grandparents are not completely human then," Henry wondered, intrigued.

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"And you know of the future, how unusual. Well then, how common are people in that time who create themselves? Any of them use...well which ideas for self creation do they use?" his scientific curiosity demanded, making all other inquiries less pertinent.

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"That is unusual," Henry Hyde calmly agreed, while a strange thrill of anticipation went through him. It was akin to...a predator's sensing the prey, he supposed but could not fully account for it in the given circumstances. It could be some anticipation of the future, a further relishing of the intoxicating experience that was Rena, but he usually associated it with his darker needs. Well, perhaps time would tell. If the man who affected Leticia thusly was somehow involved in all of this, that could prove interesting.

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"Live wire," that was, inexplicably how he felt, as if Rena pulled these very words from his very mind. Impossible of course, or was it? Given her unusual admission of a grandparent being born through science...Well, that was a fascinating prospect of its own, drawing his mind in various directions, suggesting bizarre images and making him, un comfortably, distractible.

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"What kind of a science?" Henry wondered at last, unable to contain his curiosity. "I am fond of scientific discoveries, but have not heard of any field making sufficient progress to create a human, unless you mean your words somehow metaphorically," he questioned almost jealously. What he didn't say of course, that of all the scientists he'd heard of he himself came the closest to modifying the genetic component of humanity. Admittedly, his discovery was still at the experimental stage, but even that stage would be deemed impossible by modern standards.

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The fact that somebody beat him to it, to an astonishing degree, was disturbing, disappointing even. There were rumors of alchemists and their achievements, but Henry's approach seemed to produce more practical results than any of the documented ones. Unless, Rena was right, and a different scientist realized that modification or extraction of human nature was unnecessary, when life could be made from scratch. Although how, what the prima materia may have been, Henry could not have guessed. It was all, strange, almost sad, and yet thrilling at the same time, he had to admit. No woman before Rena could make him experience all of these emotions at once.

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"Most unusual developments, a work of ...genius," Henry commented on what seemingly astounded the barmaid. He could add that the difference between a genius and a madman was not as extensive as one may surmise, but did not wish to spoil the moment.

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"That is a good question, I suspect," Henry Hyde slowly agreed. "I may not know the answer to it, unless your skills of observation became suddenly problematic. I did not mind them myself, but I had nothing to Hyde. The other gentleman, on the other hand, might have wished for something subtle that could incriminate him, be removed from your memory. Something only you would notice and other would not. So, although it might have something to do with us, it could also have something to do directly with you. Although, I cannot disagree that it is quite a coincidence.

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Yes, don't mention it. We can go and confront him, and see what he has to say to his defense. What is it, Rena Dear, ah yes, the notes were done in my own hand writing style, or a good imitation thereof..." Henry mused while considering the ability to change one's eye color, as well as the necessity to do so. His new lady love seemed to have every bit as many intriguing secrets as himself, and that tantalized him to no end.?

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?Victor gave a warm chuckle when Elizabeth stated that she would not be envied if everyone had some of her perfume; oh but you would still be envied, you see, it takes far more than cologne or perfume to make beauty, beauty is from within, and your beauty is both within and outward. ? ?He listened and nodded with approval as she revealed what she remembered, you are right, it probably is better that you don’t remember the wedding that much, since that was the day when…, He glanced away to hide sudden?tears that threatened to fall. ? His expression brightened as she recalled the carriage rides and picnic lunches, very good, and do you remember how we used to take those long afternoon walks into the forest? No one knew where we were, and sometimes those walks lasted until nightfall. ? ?And do you remember that one morning when I came for you in a carriage? We drove away, and noone knew where we were, we stopped by that stream in the forest, the one we used to call…, Our stream; we did nothing inappropriate that we shouldn’t do before marriage, but we sad at that stream, and talked, we skipped stones, and made our plans for the future. ? ?What about that large wooden porch swing you had at your home? ? ?We used to sit there for hours, just talking and dreaming; I remember that one afternoon, you fell asleep on my shoulder, and I just sat there and watched you. At last, I kissed you to awaken you, do you remember that? ? ? Oh, sweetheart, I was a fool to spend so much time in the lab, away from you; science is science, and it is wonderful, it definitely has its place. But you have shown me a whole other reason to live, you are the very essence and meaning of life. ? James approached then, and softly asked if they wanted anymore of anything else, before the desserts were brought to the table; Victor nodded with approval, yes, some more of the roast beef, if you please. James nodded, then looked at Elizabeth, and for you, ma’am?????

Henry Hyde did not like hearing that there were trouble. Well, if they were of medical or financial, or sexual kind, he could understand those and attend to them. But troubles in general, they left a sour taste in his mind and made his hands ball into fists. Rena's arrangements with the servants and Letti may have been splendid, worthy of the future lady of the house, but her unfortunate remark added to his already tense mood.

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Yet, to his own surprise, the good mood began returning to Henry when the barmaid described the problem. It was somehow less alarming than he'd imagined it to be. More...intriguing might have been the word, as he recalled Dr Reynolds experiments in consciousness.

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"Memories are curiously fleeting at times. A colleague of mine experimented with a girl named Rachel. He used the methods of some stage performers, hypnotists, who could mesmerize the audience, supposedly. Only he was able to do it from the inside, by stimulating an electrical charge...well never mind that. Only the girl Rachel completely forgot her?own name, her mother, her village. She remembered instead being somebody else, and being able to see...well, what she thought of as God. So, technically, I have heard of memories being completely lost. Truncated at a certain point, or lost completely. Your case is clearly not?as radical...The interesting thing is...what kind of an effort would be required to achieve such a feat.

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My colleague, another medical doctor, of sorts, is a firm believer in hypnotism and that their methods could be improved?inside of a human body. But you would have remembered anything electrocuting you, it would have been accompanied by some pain. And yet, if you were ordered to forget?it...oh no, what am I saying, the touch of the hand could likely be used by a hypnotist as a sort of a signal. Yes, that would be much simpler. I think.

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So,?dearest Leticia, it appears you might have a stage performer frequenting the Black Bess. How...unexpected. I thought your establishment was worthy enough, a little too dull perhaps. I may have been wrong. I am curious though. I suppose you do not recall performing any physical favors for the gentleman, so to speak?? Well, that would be too bold of him. No, we would simply need to confront him, make certain he does not consider such in the future. Not everybody can remain as pleasant of a company as myself after all. If he feels you could be enthralled, he would strike again. This may only have been the prelude,?an experiment to find out how susceptible you are, I fear. Yes, very unusual.

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You are correct of course. My day yesterday was far from regular, the notes?I locked away in a drawer suddenly surfaced with additional comments added to them, and I do not like that turn of events one bit. There are social opponents of sorts, spies even, but who would even think to go to all the trouble to retrieve some unassuming notes. For that matter, who would even be aware of them? My servants, as well meaning as they may be, hardly possess the necessary skills to distinguish my failed experiments described in the notes from successful ones. Yes, it is all very puzzling indeed, but at least, your problem we could hope to contend with, nothing a few fists in the face would not resolve," Henry Hyde pleasantly reassured the girl,?finding himself oddly waking up in the wake of his rushing ideas.?????

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