His Magic Key Card now fully replenished by the genrosity of one Raymond Hollis, Melipone was in a position to go do what he did best: lurking. This time, he thought he'd indulge himself in a friendly little visit. After all, it wasn't everyday an Inertial stood their ground against S. Dole Melipone.

This time, a doctor. Donned in the sea-green scrubs and sporting the same surly frown despite any face template, it was only too easy to infiltrate the hospital. He needed but briefly scan the nearest nurse's mind for the name and rank he would assume, watching her raise an eyebrow in temporary confusion as she felt him muddle through her thoughts. Amid the flurry and bustle of the hospital's crowded halls, Melipone reckoned he could still walk past all these people, these Norms, and go unnoticed. There was one or two Inertials among them, but none nearly strong enough to compromise his cover. Once the Psi imposed his own thoughts on them, they were forced to dismiss the tingling in their anti-talent as a mere feeling, although they didn't know it.

Room 1406. Helping himself to the clipboard attached to the wall next to the door, he read up on Bantum's current condition. She seemed to have stabilized now, as the Carl Jung hospital obviously specialized in the care of psychics, but he was not surprised to discover that she had spent a good few days confined to the intensive care unit. The clipboard then tucked under one arm, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.

She was asleep, for which he was mildly relieved. He couldn't very well read her mind without her knowing, she was too sharp for that. He thought better of switching the light on. Instead, he turned his template off, standing there in front of Jill, Melipone's true face safely shrouded in darkness. It was the only time he was ever really comfortable being himself. He allowed himself only a few minutes before resuming his faux face. And just in time too, as the fluorescent bulb flickered to life seconds later.

"Anything wrong, doctor?" said a nurse as she peeked through the door, eyeing him strangely.

Melipone didn't flinch. "Quite."

He took his leave of her then and did not risk any more visits afterward. The next time she would wake up, Jill Bantum would find a vase of blue roses sitting on the table next her to bedside. Attached was a card that wrote: