He felt the tincture take effect immediately but he especially felt her touch. Never before had she been so gentle and tender to him.

When she had finished, he moved his arm back and forth to test it. It was like new.

He raised his head to look at her and suddenly their faces were so close that their beaks almost touched. Blood shot into his cheeks. For a moment he could not move. His gaze glided from her lips to her eyes. Then he cleared his throat and quickly took a step back. "Thank you..."

May the earth open up so that he could sink into it.