<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><em>~ Mari, after Vince's announcement and departure ~</em><br/><br/>She was certain that her eyes were open as wide as saucers. When the knock at the door had come, she hadn't hesitated in giving Nicci the nod to let whoever it was in -- after all, who else could it have been but the guys. She had expected the guys to come in, to joke with them, perhaps even to tease them for their 'slumber party'. But not this. Not Vince saying goodbye. The disappointment was swift and the sudden <em>urge</em> to plead with him for some kind of better explanation on the tip of her tongue. But she held herself back.<br/><br/>Poly was not for everyone. And sometimes, it took being in the environment to realize that it wasn't right.<br/><br/>She took the flower that Vince had given Nicci for her and smelled it. There was no hesitation as she clasped Nicci's hand and squeezed it tightly. She had no idea what she could say to make the girls feel better...and thankfully, she didn't have to. Because Nicci -- bless her -- made them laugh. A sudden burst of laughter escaped Marisol at Nicci's comment and she leaned against her to laugh with them. "Oh Nicci, I think you're right...and I don't know about you two but I'm a bit upset I won't get to see his...modified Tool!"<br/><br/>At Mila's question, Mari sighed gently and shook her head, placing her flower in her lap before she reached out to take her hand as well. "I don't think they'll end the experiment. I mean...they planned this all out so you would think that they thought of the possibility of one of us not working out." She squeezed both girl's hands, comforting her new-found friends. "I don't know what is going to happen but...I definitely don't think the experiment is going to end." <em>At least I hope not,</em> Mari added silently.</span>