He listened as Valoren explained their outfits and straightened up more respectfully as Rosa began speaking.  He made a nervous laugh with her as she giggled about the "state she would be in without it."  He was about to think on its meaning when she struck him dead in his tracks with the word affliction.<br/><br/><em>Affliction?  That's a new way of putting it.</em><br/><br/>He immediately knew what she was talking about but opted to air on the side of caution, now feeling the nervousness sneaking back.<br/><br/>"Affliction?  I, well, I'm not sick.  I hope you don't think I'm ill, Miss Rosa."<br/><br/>He could feel the beads of sweat beginning to form on the back of his neck and he adjusted his sitting position nervously.<br/><br/>"I'm different, though."  He said looking her dead in the eyes.  He waited for a hostile reaction from his left where the butler stood and as none came in the silence of his statement, he felt more comfortable in the gave of Rosa, who never hinted at a sign of hostility.  Just business and much the same curiosity that he assumed could be seen in his eyes.  "How do you know I'm different, Ma'am?  If you don't mind me askin'."