Measure returned in a foul mood to her lonely hotel room. She found Toxic, sitting in front of her door, sound asleep with a hand puppet. "Hey you! GET UP!" Measure was in no mood to see Toxic. Toxic yawned and got up. She said, "Why didn'tchoo go to Sunny's birthday party? You missed cake! Lookit what Jin got me!" Toxic shifted to her high, piping 'Pengy' voice, "I eat cho you head! Nom-nom-nom!" Measure slapped it away and angrily exclaimed, "DAMMIT! What are you doing? I'm in no mood for childish crap!" Toxic looked at Measure with a mask-like expression and asked, "Why not? What do you fear about it? Are you feeling so vulnerable, if you show any softness, you'd turn to goo?" Measure looked shocked. She said in a growl, "I'm not talking to you. Last time we talked, YOU struck me! I demand an apology." "I'm sorry your big mouth full of meanness got me to smack you. You tore into Neblae who was bleeding and hurting on the inside, like a hungry animal." Toxic might have said more, but then Jaeko came around the corner. "Toxic! There you are! Jin was concerned about you! It's a couple of hours after mid-nite!" Jaeko looked hesitantly at the Measure and added, "Uhhhm, hi. Hope she's not bothering you." Measure's face darkened and snapped, "Is this your new boyfriend? What don't you go home with him and leave me the hell alone." Toxic blinked and said, "I was wrong. For that, I AM sorry. YOU are the one hurt and bleeding. You are alone and lonely." She looked over at Jaeko and said, "Tell Measure why you don't like her! Be truthful." Measure leveled a finger at Jaeko and said, "I do NOT need advice to the love-lorn or whatever the hell from you or..." Toxic grabbed Measure's finger in the puppet's mouth and shook it while biting her lip. She then whispered, "Please listen, not talk." Jaeko took a breath and sighed, "Fine. I don't want to get involved in this, but I am now. First off, I said, 'Measure, you are beautiful, exotic, and powerful, but I could never hit on her because she has that desperate psycho-stalker look in her eye of someone who feels she has no value and is looking for someone to tell her that she matters. That's too high-maintenance for me. I much prefer someone like you, Toxic. You are so full of joy and can take care of yourself, you don't need anyone. That is strength that isn't scary.' Or words to that effect." "High-maintenance psycho-stalker? Great. Go home and leave me alone." Measure sagged like she had received mortal blows. Toxic said, "It like Jin taught me. You can't love anyone if you never learned to love yourself. You can't love anyone if you think you are so much better than everyone else, like you do. Your mom was a cold hearted person who didn't love you much. That left scars on you. She didn't let you play, said it was for lower races. That was no good." Measure looked desolate ans whispered, "I'm a NAGA. We've had civilization for 980 million years. We just weren't on a Naga planet any more..." Jaeko said, "'When in Pejite, you eat Pejite bread!'Like the old cliche goes. Look... there is a bit of advice my mom gave me. PRETEND to be the person you wished you were. Keep doing it long enough-- one day you will be that person." Toxic looked at Jaeko and smiled broadly. "Wowee! Your mom is really smart!" "Was. She died a couple of years ago, but I knew I was loved to the end. She was pretty special to me. Measure, you can re-invent yourself, if you want. It's never to late. Sorry to have intruded, but Toxic is a GOOD friend for you to want you to know this stuff." Toxic nodded. "Yep!" In her pengy voice, she added, "I eat you head now!" And started the Pengy to noshing on the Measure's hair. Measure laughed a little, and Jaeko said, "C'mon! We need to get OUT of the Measure's hair. LITERALLY!" Toxic said, "I love you", and hugged Measure tight. After they left, Measure hurried inside before any saw her cry. --TO BE CONTINUED!--