Rayne got back into the vehicle in silence and wiped the tears from her cheeks.<span style="color: #330066">“There’s a... something in that forest. Something that shouldn’t be there. On my world all things share and compete for resources, which is normal. Those trees weren’t just competing for the sunlight and room to spread their roots. They are actively trying to strangle and kill each other, I could feel the hate before I even got close to it. The ground is being intentionally deprived of the light it needs for the grass and bushes to grow. Without the smaller plants the harmless leaf eating creatures aren’t there. And without those leaf eating creatures to be prey the other animals are more aggressive and hostile. It’s a, uh, a cycle and yours is broken. I didn’t hear a single bird, bug, or any type of critter... it’s like the forests here are dead and all that’s left are those trees. That’s what I mean by problems.” </span>She shook her head and grabbed his hand to give it a soft squeeze.<span style="color: #330066">“No, you warned me and I insisted. I didn’t trust you and now I see the error of my ways.”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #ff0000">“I didn’t love you like I do back then. Before you were Naori’s and you were keeping me and my son housed until I could go my own way. You were a means to an end until I realized you were the end, you were what I needed and wanted.” </span>She leaned down to help return the kiss.<span style="color: #ff0000"> “I need to be able to pleasure you too, Leena. If I was an Elf again I wouldn’t have the tail you want and I couldn’t give him children which would invalidate the deal I made with him for permission to live here.”</span><div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>