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"I guess I learned it the hard way, huh?" The android said gri her forehead in her hands "Boy, was I stupid, or what?"

"Don't talk like that!" The elf shook his head resolutely "You're not stupid You just made a mistake; that's all And besides, that kid was the one to blame He was the one who stole your purse, after all Hey, that reminds me …"

He removed his hip satchel from his belt, and unzipped its mouth "Here," he said, "you can have this"

"Oh, no!" the android said, pushing it away the moment he presented it "I couldn't possibly-"

"No, I insist," the elf said, pushing it back her way "Besides, it's full of stuff that I don't really need Go ahead Take a look inside"

She wiped the stray tears from her face and eyed him suspiciously But she was quickly disarmed by his calm and pleasant nature She reached inside

The ed dramatically Eyes red and sore sloidened in utter disbelief Herwide open in a very vocal gasp as she reular device from the satchel There was a tiny, clear orb at one end

"Oh,the device around in her hand, eyes widening to near inhuod! It's my ether link!"

She placed the device down beside her, and then tore into the satchel, re a makeup compact, various unidentifiable odds and ends, wallet, multiple lists on paper, and what seemed like twenty or od!" The android ran a calculating hand through the objects that now lay between the!" She beamed at Aldrec "How … how did you-?"

"Even males have some secrets to keep," the elf said with a playful shake of his finger "But I'lad that I could at least be of some-"

Before he could finish, he was nearly knocked backwards onto the porch as the android launched herself into his arms She threw her arht embrace

"Thank you!" She whispered "You don't kno much this means to me, you really don't!" The last feords of her sentence careat sobs into his tunic, tears seeping through the fabric And through the timbre of her cries, the elf realized that they were not tears of joy Gently, he pried hirip, and handed her another clean handkerchief