And Max isn't anywhere around. Now's my chance....
Apiladey walks up behind Talis and gives her a big hug. She screams quite loudly, and turns around with a gasping intake of breath. Somewhat hurt, Apiladey says, I don't normally get such a remarkable response from a woman.

Bu...bu...but ya.....you're all wet, she gasped.

Oh....sorry about that,Apiladey apologised. I just finished running the yacht race......But wasn't it refreshing?

Well, it might have been, if my neck wasn't still hurting so, she said with a pout.

She knew Apiladey couldn't resist a good pout, and she came well-armed with them. Oh, well Princess, I can help with that problem. Here, lemme just step up behind you. Now lean your head back on my chest. Now just lemme give your face a massage....... There now, that should make the forehead feel a lot better........Here, and now I'll just rub your temples for a bit......yessssss, that always feels great, doesn't it? Now let me just rub under your eyes and across your cheeks for a bit. Excellent.....Now I'll just rub the muscles above your jaw.........and now the ones under your jaw. Now lets lean your head forward against this brainy looking animal here. Now I can reach where you said it hurt. Ohh, they do feel knotted. I'll just rub them for a while and nowhere else................Yes, I'll bet that felt good. He then rubbed the back and top of her head. I'll bet that felt a whole lot better. Didn't it?....... Uh, Talis?........Doesn't that feel better?.......Talis?