A war of epic proportions erupted within my mind, blurring my senses. Lust made a bold, burning charge for the center. Guilt made a stinging flanking maneuver. Doubt and reality wrestled with senses and preconceived notions. Lust doubled back to kick me in the gut.

“What’s your name?” I asked. It seemed a fair question considering what I had in mind.

Her eyes said I don’t know, but her mouth said, “I’m who you want me to be.”

The contradiction was all but lost as the war raged. My face felt warm. I had to shift positions.

“Where are you from?”

Her eyes said Not here, but her mouth cooed, “Your dreams.”

My body tingled. Reason left me with only the simplest of faculties. Her tail swished gracefully behind her, and the battle was lost and won in that small moment.

I whispered across suddenly dry lips, “Come closer.”

From there and for the next month I was lost to the world, my soul sold for the prize in the gem. It was beyond my dreams and surpassed expectation. And boy was I going to pay.