The stranger smiled, and the expression caused his eyes to sparkle. Gingerly, he took her hand in his, cupping it delicately. Before he did anything, he looked up at her face, trying to meet her eyes.<br/><br/>"Aria. What a beautiful name." He smiled, then continued, "Aria, I'm going to have to pull these out. Its going to be painful. Do you trust me?"<br/><br/>He kept his gaze on hers as he spoke, his voice gentle, soothing. He enunciated the words slowly, almost heavily, acting on the training for his profession. He wasn't one of the top hypnotherapists on the western coast for nothing.