Uriel watched Ryan for a moment, then gave the Vortian version of a quiet sigh and left the room. Something told her he was upset. To Vortians, a confession was an alert to a person that you were going to seduce them into falling in love, but she wasn't sure what it meant to humans.<br/><br/>When she arrived upstairs Rhofel started first:<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF80FF">"So, did he--"</span></span>he cut off then, in case the human had failed to confess.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF80FF">"He confessed to me,"</span></span>Uriel said, confirming their suspicions.<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF80FF">"I said no. I think he is upset."</span></span><br/><br/>Velnier had hooked up to the internet service which was available in the top three levels and tapped at his plasma screen.<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF80FF">"I looked it up,"</span></span>the team tech-savvy said.<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF80FF">"For us, a confession is the starting point, but humans know it as an ending point. We offered him advice while you were out, but he isn't used to it. I'm not sure if he's grasped that a rejection is only the beginning in our culture."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF80FF">"I hope I haven't hurt him too badly,"</span></span>Uriel said somberly.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"He may be hurt,"</span></span>Rhofel said,<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BF80FF">"But he will still be in love with you. He will inevitably take a more Vortian stance on things and try to win you over."</span></span><br/><br/>((They finish their preparations, make up some beds, and go to sleep))