<div class="floatleft"><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td><div align="center">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/0e/Lauren_Budd_512.png)<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Michael</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 13pt;">● Fully female<br/>● Wearing white dress and heels.<br/>● Trying to adjust.</span></span></div></div></div></div></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 2pt;"><br/></span><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 11pt;">We get into Chloe's car and I take the back seat.  It will give me some time me to think about what's going on.  Not that I expect to come up with a solution, but maybe an idea or two to explore later.  For now, I'm just letting myself to be swept along by the currents, no longer struggling, just trying to keep afloat with my head above the water.<br/><br/>Chloe mentions a costume party.  Maybe that's how I should think of it.  This is not the real me, it's just a costume with a zipper that somehow got stuck.  Once I figure out how to fix it, I will be able to take it off...  Then she asks about the book and I feel it's a good time to share my thoughts about it.  "Guys, when I asked Leigh what was in the book, she said 'magic'.  I thought she meant magic tricks but now I believe that she knew what it was.  I think we should go see her afterwards, maybe get some answers."<br/><br/>The drive is short.  Chloe finds a parking spot not too far from the restaurant and we walk in.  The place is packed.  I kind of expected it given its reputation, but what I didn't expect is the attention that we're getting.  I was kind of used to Chloe and Circe getting stares, they are both definitely stare worthy, but making eye contact with the offender usually got the message across -- they are with me.  It was like a universal code dating from the Paleolithic, indicating that the females are taken and under the male's protection.  But this time, I belong to the objects of the stares, and in no shape to protect anyone, including myself.<br/><br/>The realization of my own vulnerability is... scary.  Every guy is a threat, every look a prelude to assault.  Intellectually I understand that I am overreacting, but logic is one thing and visceral gut reactions completely another.  I grab a fork from a cart of dishes that we pass, just in case.  Irrational but reassuring.  My friends must think I'm crazy.  Maybe I am.<br/><br/>Circe leaves Chloe and me at the bar and disappears into the sea of people.  The bartender asks what I'll have and I shake my head.  I don't know this body's capacity, and I am certainly not about to experiment.<br/><br/>Then Circe is back, telling us that we get the next table and that the hostess thinks I'm... hot?  "Circe!" I look her in the eye.  "Look at me!  I was not like this two hours ago.  I am trying <em>very</em> hard not to flip out and I'm barely holding it together.  I don't need additional complications."  Then she turns to Chloe.  I don't understand half of what she's saying, but it sounds like we're in a war zone.  My fist tightens around the fork, holding so tightly the knuckles turn white.  The first hand that touches me gets punctured.</span><br/>