"No worries, mate," Corliss says to Ossanlin, ignoring Salem entirely and pushing Keshin along toward the tree line. "Come 'ead, then, Tora. We'll see if we can't get some pills for 'im before it's too late. Ugh...and before my bloody head explodes. Christ..."
<It's all right, Cor, y'know,> says Mike. <Reckon every bloke's got to experience a good kick to the bits, so he knows why to avoid it.> He pauses. <Just wish they weren't mine, is all.>
<I can tell from your memories quite to avoid it well enough, thanks,> Corliss grumbles.
<'ey, last time I chucked me breakfast,> Mike says helpfully.
<Last time you were in 8th year,> Corliss retorts.
<Yeah. Still not long enough between goes,> his host sighs. <Don't reckon I fancy a girl who goes round treating one's nethers like bloody mash.>
<They're not my nethers,> Corliss says with an inward smirk.
<Oh, that is so not fair.>
---
Myitt watches her brother leave, then turns to Terenia. Tara takes control.
"Really, I've been waiting for someone to give him a good shot to the sack," she sniffs.
Then Myitt turns to Salem. "So," the Yeerk says conversationally, plastering a grin on her face. "How's the family?"