>After freeing Gregory’s mouth from the last stich, the book takes a huge, deep breath.

>It exhales slowly, its eyes closing in deep satisfaction.

>“Would you mind explaining why you tried to put a pearl in my eye? That still hurts you know.”

>You shrug, not very confident that it would take the answer of “I thought it would be fun”

“Words hurt, too.”

>“That was AFTER you tried to play optician with a sea-loogie.”

>The book leaps out of your hands, back onto the table by the traincar window.

It flutters its pages towards the moonlight outside, and opens and closes repeatedly.

>“It feels just so grand to be free of that blasted twine!”

>You make a crack about him stretching his spine in your head, causing you to giggle a little.

>“Now then, chicken-kitten, I’m here for one reason, and one reason only: To help you on your mission.”

>Ah. that’s actually kinda nice. To have a talking book on your journey would be a great boon.

“I guess it would be nice to have a dictionary-”

>The book coughs loudly

“Fine, THESAURUS, around would be kinda nice.”

>You tap your chin for a moment to think.

“Hey. How did you talk earlier?”

>“I talked through the pearl you moron. Any more questions? The train about five minutes away from the destination. I suggest you make room in that bag of yours soon, unless yo uwant everyone to see a fleshy, talking book.”

>What now?