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bothLilly and Royal in on his escapades of the last months, coylyleaving out most of his sexual activities given Lilly's presence.Lilly nodded her head in understanding through most of it, statingthat most everyone goes through a "kid in a candy store" phase uponarrival. "Some find their way out it," she said, "Many don't."

Lilly reacted much differently than expected whenHadder shared who he had been with most of that time. "Oh, I loveReena Song so much. It's a shame she can't get out of that partyrut. She was a nurse, you know? Like a really quality one. Sheworked in the burn unit of a major hospital. Poor thing saw so muchpain and suffering, remaining strong. But when a foster mom soakedher three mentally ill children in a tub of gasoline beforelighting them on fire, something broke inside her. She stayed withthose children around the clock, listening to their confused littlewails and cries, watching as one by one each succumbed to theirburns after ten lives' worth of pain. Many Solays I held her headin my lap as she cried. I hope she finds something other than sexand drugs that will keep the specter of those kids from hauntingher, I really do."

Royal grew especially angry after hearing ofHadder's visit to Inferno. "Your friends should have madesure you stayed away from there!" Royal said, shaking his head inanger. When Hadder spoke about Jackie Crone and her wickeddeception, Royal spat on the ground, echoing Glen's reaction to thevile woman. Royal thought on the story for a moment beforeproviding his take. "Just as I thought, your existence has the Keysreally shaken. Fear is a powerful weapon, and Jackie Crone wieldsit like a samurai. They want you scared of the Before, terrified ofthe pain that it can bring you, hoping that you seek refuge in theendless cycle of the Celebration Cluster. But it sounds like herplan backfired, drove you from that murky world, made you realizesomething of critical importance. That says a lot about you,Hadder."

Lilly added, "You wanted desperately to share,Marlin. To mourn and cope and move forward. You can't do that inthe Celebration Cluster. Everyone is too busy hiding."

The rest of the Solay passed by in a blink, as isoften the case when good company engages in enjoyable conversationeased by classic alcohol. They went outside, beers in hand, to sitin the clearing, basking in the light of the Solay as they spokeabout music, movies, love, and loss. Hadder was struck by howeasily both Royal and Lilly spoke of the Before, comfortablyinserting pieces of their previous lives into the talks. Royaloften referenced his wife, who had died of brain cancer, leaving ahole that the studio musician filled with heroin. Lilly joked abouther struggling singing career, becoming serious when speaking ofher mother's overbearing control over her young life, a mother whosaw her own fame and fortune reflected in the eyes of her innocentchild.

As Solay began to near Haela, Hadder noticed moreand more residents beginning to enter The Royal Jelly. Royalsaw this, too, and rose from soft grass. "I better get in there,y'all. It looks like we got some thirsty residents this evening.Pleasure speaking with you, Hadder. I don't know what your beinghere means, but I know I'm happy for the new company. See you bothin there."

Lilly and Hadder watched Royal walk back into theestablishment that partially bore his name. "Good guy, huh,"prompted Lilly.

"Yeah, he is. What's going on at the Bar? Residentshave been piling in for the last hour or so."

"What's going on? Music, Hadder. Music is what'sgoing on. Get up, lazybones. I'm calling first dance rightnow."

Lilly pulled Hadder up quickly, showcasingimpressive strength for one so small. Hand-in-hand, they joined thethrong of residents gleefully passing between The RoyalJelly's golden guardian bees, happy to be entering a worldwhere drugs, alcohol, and sex took a backseat to the fellowship ofmusic.

Hours later, The Royal Jelly was a hive ofactivity and music. Every seat in the house was taken, but thatdidn't stop groups from welcoming others over, sharing in oldschool beer and smoke. Royal was a whirlwind, dishing out drinks,stories, and advice in equal parts. Although all the residents herewere also reasonably attractive, they didn't have the overwroughtlook of the Celebration Cluster regulars, those that always did toomuch, those that always acted extra. Hadder felt relaxed in anenvironment where everyone's raison d'etre was not to one-up theperson next to you, but to share real stories with realfriends.

While most residents in The Royal Jelly hadgone subtle with Elevations, extreme exceptions were as readilyaccepted by the group as a kooky aunt. Lilly pointed out one youngman, pale and slight, with an abnormal bulge in his slim khakipants. "Poor Theo. The boy went and Elevated his junk to aridiculous level. Little did he know that most girls here Elevatetheir love boxes, as well - making them smaller. Now the guy justwalks with a loaded shotgun and nowhere to shoot it."

"Why doesn't he just get it reversed? It seems likethey can do anything at the Elevation Centers."

"He could. But everyone calls him Theo the Cock now,sometimes just The Cock. I think he likes that."

Residents like Theo were seen now and then, escapeesfrom the dangerous Elevation addiction. A woman with obviouslyextended legs danced erotically in a booth by the stage. A shortman with impossibly inflated muscles tried to join her, but hisoversized frame prevented him from moving correctly. He ended upmerely flailing his arms next to her, frightening everyone around.Lilly and Hadder laughed at the comical scene.

Lilly mentioned that many residents who found theirway to this sanctuary had some of their more apparent Elevationsreverted, having grown more comfortable in the skin in which theyarrived at the city.

Hadder was digesting this information, looking overthe crowd, when there was a change in the musical acts. Anexcellent band that sounded exactly like The Doors, complete withits own Jim Morrison clone, was exiting the stage, and a lonefigure was approaching the microphone as musicians in thebackground traded out instruments. Hadder's eyes widened inrecognition as he saw Miles move to the forefront of the stage."Holy shit, that's Miles!"

"You know Miles,"