<em>~Miss Scarlett in the kitchen with the candlestick~</em><br/><br/>Mila looked away from her coffee when she heard Nicci's voice.  She looked up to see that the other woman had moved to put her cup on the table, and looked into her eyes, giving her a slight smile of gratitude at her kindness.  And then, when Marisol's hand grasped hers again, Mila knew.  She knew that the other two women felt the kinship that she did.  They were all in this together, the three of them, and were already providing support when it was needed.  She had never truly had friends before, but that was what Mari and Nicci were to her.  She knew there was a possibility that she was being overly optimistic or naive, but she hoped with every fiber of her being that she was right about this.  She wanted so badly for there to be nothing but love and support between the three of them.  Jealousy and competitiveness were emotions that this relationship could do without.<br/><br/>Leaning in just a little toward Marisol, Mila flashed Nicci a broader smile; this one reached her eyes and told of the lightening burden to her soul.  No matter what else happened in this castle, tonight and over the next months, in this moment at least, she had bared herself to strangers and found acceptance with these women.  They had no way to know just how great the gift that they had given her was.  She settled in against Mari and turned her eyes from Nicci's, looking at Vince as he started talking, his voice lilting and his words lyrical.  His responses, like everyone else's, revealed a depth of character and history that would be uncovered, layer by layer, as they got to know one another better.  He had lost siblings, and she was sad for him.  Her brothers had nothing to do with her, but she went to bed every night knowing that they were in their homes with their wives and their children, safe from harm.<br/><br/>It was, of course, just like Vince to end on a lighthearted note.  With a little chuckle, Mila said, "I'm afraid that would be me.  If anyone is glutton enough for punishment to get into bed with me, I'll wear socks."  Drawing confidence from Mari and Nicci, she looked at Bo and winked, adding, "Once we know each other, of course."  She was surprised at herself.  Only moments ago, she would not have dreamed of being so bold; already, being with Nicole and Marisol was changing her, breaking her out of the layers of protection she had spent years building around herself.<br/><br/>She looked back at Vince, a small smile playing on her lips.  "I would love to know how you got your nickname, Vince.  I believe you said you go by Tool."  Glancing at the others, she asked, "And of course, if anyone else has a fun nickname, I think it's only fair that we all know what it is.  I, fortunately, am only Mila or Camila.  Or Munchkin, according to my father."