A fairly short chapter next, for the NaNo. So many of you have said how much you enjoy it that I'm taking more time now to edit. It's Sunday morning in the shop, and we join Lyris as she awakes to the peculiar sensation of feeling safe for a change.

I'm playing with a bit of reality here, so I may need to make a slight disclaimer. There truly is a magnificent, worldwide organization called Bikers Against Child Abuse. I love these people with all my heart, and my intention is to represent their spirit in this furry world. Firecat (who we'll actually meet later), his Lady Jayna, and Strypes are all fictional characters, completely of my own imagination. I believe in what this organization does, and my intent is to offer these characters as tributes, and to help raise awareness for their organization through the story. They're the Good Guys, and I hope their powerful spirit comes through well.

Again, remember that the plot for this tale was created between myself and , who brought her rabbit characters to me to write some Happy for them. I mean this as a compliment: She's good at writing chaos, and tossing her characters into the blender to see how they come out. I'm a romantic who wants the happy-ever-after, so between us, we've developed a pretty good tale. We're both glad you're enjoying it.

The artwork of Lyal (more like his old self, after a shopping spree that happens several chapters from now) is by Edgard Aedo, a wonderful artist who usually works more in manga style. Every year, for my birthday and for Christmas, he sends a card to me with original artwork, and this Christmas, he was inspired by the NaNo ... so here's Lyal. He apologized for not being "another Reed Waller," but I think he did just fine with the young bunny.