Cal nodded slowly.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">âThat might explain a few things, but I think you put too much emphasis on your âgiftâ. Iâm not sure what youâve heard, but the truth is that men like strong women. Also, you do have an amazing body.â</span>He grinned.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">Actually, couple all that with the aura thing, and you can hardly blame a guy for fixating on getting you into bed.â</span>He laughed loudly.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">âYou donât have to worry about me though. I know how to keep my hands to myself.â</span>Neither Cal nor Masako could tell if her aura worked on him or not. Cal found Masako incredibly attractive and made no attempts to hide it, but he was controlled and polite in his own simple, direct way. He glanced at her frequently, but not so much as to become awkward or impolite; he appeared to just be checking that she was still with him and doing the polite thing by acknowledging her when addressing her.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">âYou know, itâs impressive in a way that youâve made it to your age with your virginity intact. In some cultures, you might be marrying off a daughter of your own by now.â</span>He thought a moment then looked at her again.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">âUnless that is your one of those women whoâ¦ uhâ¦ prefer the company of other women. Iâve heard stories of those, and it doesnât bother me if you are. Iâm not sure, but I think I knew a girl like that back home when I was growing up. She was nice.â</span>His statement was followed by him falling into an awkward silence.<br/><br/>-------------------<br/><br/>The man started to ease him grip, then noticed the canvas bag lying next to the dryad. The sapling was fine, having only lost a little dirt in the fall. He let go of her wrist and picked up the bag. Holding it with both hands, he examined the sapling growing out of it.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âWhatâs this? Do you collect plants?â</span>He stood before she could react, still carrying the bag, as he walked over to where her staff had landed.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âIâve never seen anything like this before.â</span>He turned back to her with a smile.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âOr like you for that matter, at least not up close.â</span>